2 answers
2 answers
Updated
Barbara’s Answer
Hi there! I am extremely passionate about my career. I think that passion comes with finding a good match, good leadership and a talent or skillset that is beneficial to your team. I don't necessarily engage in what you call the "race". Healthy competition is always good if it makes you a better worker and person. I view all of my peers as colleagues and do whatever I can to assist them if they need help. That is my view of a team, which works better than looking at it as a race. Judge yourself against your own expectations and always do your best, that way you don't have to worry about the competition. If you persevere and are determined and try to help others whenever you can, then you are already ahead of the "race"! Hope that helps!
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
I am in Cybersecurity and I am very passionate about my career. However, I didn't come across my career until my late 20's, when I was in high school and in my first years of college I was very passionate about other career goals. Those goals were worlds away from what I do now, I would never have guessed at that time that I would find passion for a totally different world. To me, finding passion in what you do is a combination of a several factors - and those factors can be different for everyone. For me, my factors are having a challenging job where the work changes daily, where I need to be constantly taking classes and certifications, and where at the end of the day the work I do is for the betterment and security of people. Other people's factors maybe opposite, they may hate all of my factors and have factors of their own that I would hate - like I know I would not find joy or passion in being an accountant. Ultimately finding passion in what you do changes over time and as you learn about all of the other opportunities there are out in the world.
The "race" then, to me, is also a challenge to yourself. If you are someone who thrives on crushing goals and beating out the competition, then that's amazing and you may really enjoy a career in something that builds on that. For others, the "race" may be getting their dream job in an ultra competitive job market - the job that everyone wants. That kind of race can take years to build up to win, like taking extra courses, doing volunteer work in your community, and other things that can really help you stand out from the crowd when being reviewed by a potential employer.
The "race" then, to me, is also a challenge to yourself. If you are someone who thrives on crushing goals and beating out the competition, then that's amazing and you may really enjoy a career in something that builds on that. For others, the "race" may be getting their dream job in an ultra competitive job market - the job that everyone wants. That kind of race can take years to build up to win, like taking extra courses, doing volunteer work in your community, and other things that can really help you stand out from the crowd when being reviewed by a potential employer.