“Find your passion!”
How many times have we heard that advice?? I have been to many career finding or job search seminars, websites, workshops, etc in my years and this is often a key piece of advice.
It’s true that this does speak to many people – that you actually can find a career doing what you love to do isn’t always a natural assumption. Some people live and breathe music and should clearly follow that passion when forming a career choice. Others are fascinated with the human body and love to serve others – these students have always known they should be doctors.
But what about the rest of us? Those who love all kinds of things but not necessarily one far above the others? Do we not have passions? While “finding your passion” is without a doubt good advice, it can also be extremely confusing. Instead of focusing on activities and interests (your passions), it may help to step back and think of the kind of lifestyle you want to lead and the kind of environment you want to be in. Leave passion out of it for a moment.
These questions are critical when you actually embark on a career. Even if you have a love for data analysis, you won’t work in that field if you absolutely can’t stand working indoors (or you’ll have to come up with a really creative solution!). If you have a passion for law, but won’t work over 35 hours a week, you’ll seek a different job title than “attorney.”
When I was building my future plan, all I could think about were my interests. I never considered the lifestyle I would lead due to the careers associated with those interests. When I realized what I had inadvertently signed up for, I knew I could not lead the life associated with my chosen career – I need to find a new “passion”. And I had no idea where to begin.
Eventually I thought about what I kind of environment I loved being in. Suddenly I had the instantaneous reaction I never had to the “passions” question – I needed to work in higher education. I have always loved being in an education-focused environment, where minds are stretched and always active. Organizations are constantly hosting events, protests, auctions, and campaigns. Students are thinking in ways they never have before. I’ve loved being in school since I was carrying a yellow lunchbox and college was the ultimate in schooling. And that lifestyle/environment choice helped me see my passion.
Sometimes, if the answer isn’t coming, it helps to change the question. Remember that there are many aspects of your future career that you will need to agree with, and many roads to discovering that career. If one is blocked for you, try the next!