Alexis Irvin and Chip Hiden of the Dream Share Project visited UNH on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, to facilitate a workshop for students to keep track of their dreams. The workshop was held in the Alumni Lounge where they showed their hour-long documentary and had students complete a packet to help them pinpoint their own dreams.

Irvin and Hiden took off on a cross country trip after realizing that a “normal” nine- to-five desk job was not what they envisioned in their future. Irvin is a graduate from the University of Maryland and Hiden graduated from Washington College. After tossing their caps into the air at commencement, both started work for local businesses doing what every college graduate is supposed to—work. When they each realized they were not happy at their jobs, they decided to save up for a road trip that would consist of traveling across the United States interviewing people who are actually happy in their lines of work.

The Dream Share Project is the product of their five-month road trip. Irvin and Hiden have now been traveling for three semesters across college campuses facilitating the same workshop they shared at UNH. It begins with an hour-long movie that shows where they traveled, who they met, and what they learned about happiness and dreams along the way. Interviews include LaMarque Ward of the Cincinnati Dream Academy, a designer from Project Runway, college students and more.

After viewing the movie, workshop attendees completed a packet with the help of Irvin and Hiden. The packet helped students outline their dreams and create and share their own definition of success. Irvin shared her definition of success as getting paid to do what she loves and making an impact. Hiden liked what a student had chosen as their definition to success—to do what you love while sustaining a livelihood.

When asked what their advice was for students trying to chase dreams, Alexis said, “plan the work, work the plan.” Chip’s advice was for students to get started somewhere and begin making a list. They have now both realized their own dreams as a result of their trip; Irvin is an aspiring writer and Hiden an entrepreneur.

They are working to publish a career guide for millennials that expands on their workshop. Keep your eyes out for their book to be published next August. If you were unable to attend the event you can learn more about the Dream Share Project and get in touch with Alexis and Chip at dreamshareproject.com.