Finding a career path that you are passionate is key to having a successful and long-term path professionally. Since work is a part of life, if your career leaves you happy and fulfilled you’ll be much better off mentally and often times physically when you enjoy what you do.
A career you’re passionate about will leave you excited to get out of bed each day and go to your job instead of dreading it. A dead-end position or working for a company that doesn’t respect your talents may have a negative impact on your health and well being over time. Use the following advice to help you narrow down your choices and pinpoint a career path that’s best suited for you.
Talk to those in the Industry
It’s also a wise idea to spend some time talking to those who are already working in the industry you’re interested in. If, for example, you are looking for tech jobs available in San Francisco, creating a network to people who work there will help you gain a real-time update whenever there are vacant positions fit for you. Aside from that, you’ll be able to learn a lot from other professionals. For example, maybe drugs and alcohol have impacted your life in some way, and you want to work with people who are struggling so you can help them recover. As that often times comes with mental diagnoses as well, educate yourself more on dual diagnosis treatment centers and contact those who are working in the profession and can shed some more light on what to expect if you were to take on this role. Come prepared to ask questions that are going to help you better determine if this is the path for you.
Research Your Options
A good place to start when trying to find a career you’re passionate about is to research your options. Think about what you used to love as a kid or how you spend your time now and what you enjoy doing the most. For instance, maybe you recently rescued a puppy and want to turn your love for animals into a full-time job. Spend time reading about a few different organizations such as Pet Conscious that you may want to get more involved with in the future.
Do some Trial & Error
Another way to find a career you’re passionate about is to take part in some trial and error scenarios. For example, ask to job shadow someone who’s working in a job you’re interested in or choose to volunteer for a related organization. Get your hands dirty and immerse yourself in the situation and job role ahead of time before you fully commit to a particular career path. You’ll learn a lot, grow as a person and will be able to quickly tell if what you’re doing and the industry you’re trying out will make you happy.
Remove Money as A Motivating Factor
If you want to truly find your passion, then it’s important to not let money be the sole driver of your decisions. A rewarding career for you may not mean you’re going to make as much money as you once hoped for or thought. Stay optimistic that over time your passion will lead you to increasing your income and moving up the ladder quickly. However, only focusing on how much money you might make one day can keep you from ultimately finding a career you’re passionate about.
