Graduates are often faced with the same problem. In short, regular 9-to-5 jobs may appear as a hindrance to personal growth and fulfillment, says 25-year-old, New York-based executiveCole Clark.

"It breaks my heart when kids, fresh out of college, see 9-to-5 jobs as bad," he says. "They see it as preventative."

Clark, who recently became a leader atAmygdaLaunch,a Loeb.nyc company, is looking to flip the script to show his young colleagues they don't have to fit a specific mold.

Here is Clark's story and his lessons for creating financially and emotionally fulfilling...