How do I know what is my passion?
I am in class 11 and I don't know my passion. I personally feel I can be a good lawyer or a good doctor but for some reason, I feel like it's my duty to become an engineer. Could you please help me out? I am so confused. #career-counseling #higher-education #school
5 answers
Alexa’s Answer
Karen’s Answer
(My strengths are: Connectivity, Positivity, Developer, Communication, Woo)
Karen recommends the following next steps:
Courtney’s Answer
Courtney recommends the following next steps:
Andrew’s Answer
It is important to keep in mind that no matter what you want to take on in the future, the most important prerequisite is a strong academic background. In any case, a strong STEM education would be helpful in the career paths you mentioned.
Janardan’s Answer
It is easy to find your passion. Start by listing your interests. It could be listening to music, astronomy, law, sports. It could be anything.
Then from list of interests, find one that satisfies below criteria:
1) What is that activity that energizes you?
2) What is that activity that makes you feel good and like to do more?
3) What is that activity/hobby that you can do for long stretches of time? You don't feel bored or tired.
While most successful people had their career and passion tied, in reality all it may not be the case for all. And it need not be. It is great to have both passion and career align, but don't be disappointed if your first job is not.
With the new economy emerging (gig economy) and job market changing, people will be able to balance career and passion as separate tracks. For example, you could be working as an engineer and also pursue your passion working in NGO (Non-Governmental Organization, non-for-profit). In future, your job need not be tied to 9am to 5pm for complete year. There will be choice to work part time as per your financial needs.
My example - Till my 12th standard, I didn't know my interest or passion. My father asked me to do engineering. In first year, I liked computer programming. This was back in 1992 - 96. Access to computer was 1 hour per week. Internet had just started. I found programming so interesting, I used to read programs in many languages (FORTRAN, COBOL, C, C++). I read 6 to 8 books just on C++ language. That landed me in first job as APTECH faculty. My current job doesn't need me to code. But, I still like to do hobby coding. I built community of web developers. I cofounded JavaScript Meetup, where we have 9000 members from 13 countries.
Janardan recommends the following next steps: