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How do you find your passion and turn it into a career if you are interested in many things?
I've been really lost and don't really know what i want to pursue in college because i have many interests but i'm not sure which i like most
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Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Leah - this is a terrific question. I want to assure you that you are not alone in this dilemma, and colleges are set up to help students like you chart their paths.
First, understand that college is a time to pursue interests you have already identified. As you study them further, it may be easier to rank them. Or you may decide that you want a particular interest as a hobby, but not as a profession. Through distribution requirements or recommendations from others, you also may identify new interests. You may not want more interests, but maybe you will identify one that allows you to use several of your strengths or to use knowledge from other interests. For example, I really like politics and history so I ended up majoring in Public Policy. Or maybe one will be a major and another may be a minor.
Second, in college, you will have academic advisors who are there to help you choose courses and majors. Yours should both know the possible majors very well and be a good sounding board for you. If not, you could consider getting a second - or different - advisor. Alternately, you may feel close to one of your professors and he/she could provide advice. Many colleges allow some kind of independent major. This is a lot of work because you have to propose the curriculum and find your own advisor, but it is an option.
Also, colleges also have resources to help you sort out your interests. There are resources to learn about different careers and what skills/knowledge are required for them. There are also aptitude tests and career counselors who could help you match your interests to potential careers. You could back into a major if you identify a career that interests you.
Finally - and perhaps more importantly - you could pursue different interests at various points in your career. I thought I would stay in public policy or government for my whole life. But I moved into corporate training (with tutoring on the side) and never looked back. But I continue to use the knowledge and analytical skills I gained as I consider local, state, and national issues.
I hope this helped - good luck!
First, understand that college is a time to pursue interests you have already identified. As you study them further, it may be easier to rank them. Or you may decide that you want a particular interest as a hobby, but not as a profession. Through distribution requirements or recommendations from others, you also may identify new interests. You may not want more interests, but maybe you will identify one that allows you to use several of your strengths or to use knowledge from other interests. For example, I really like politics and history so I ended up majoring in Public Policy. Or maybe one will be a major and another may be a minor.
Second, in college, you will have academic advisors who are there to help you choose courses and majors. Yours should both know the possible majors very well and be a good sounding board for you. If not, you could consider getting a second - or different - advisor. Alternately, you may feel close to one of your professors and he/she could provide advice. Many colleges allow some kind of independent major. This is a lot of work because you have to propose the curriculum and find your own advisor, but it is an option.
Also, colleges also have resources to help you sort out your interests. There are resources to learn about different careers and what skills/knowledge are required for them. There are also aptitude tests and career counselors who could help you match your interests to potential careers. You could back into a major if you identify a career that interests you.
Finally - and perhaps more importantly - you could pursue different interests at various points in your career. I thought I would stay in public policy or government for my whole life. But I moved into corporate training (with tutoring on the side) and never looked back. But I continue to use the knowledge and analytical skills I gained as I consider local, state, and national issues.
I hope this helped - good luck!
Updated
Marshall’s Answer
Leah
This is a good question. I personally took several career assessment tests (and saw a career counselor). These can be found online and many of them are now free. These will help take your personality, how you think and learn and align them with career paths of people similar to you that are happy/ have been successful/ are built that way.
Part of this process of discovery is just that, its discovery. You may need to try a few things to see if it is a good fit, that is part of the benefit of college, it allows for some trial and error without high risks: If you think you want to be an actor, take an acting/drama class, if you like cooking take a culinary class, if you enjoy the idea of creating a business, take a financial or business class.
You can also seek out a mentor or experts in the fields you have interest.
To figure out what fields those are, I would recommend making a list of all the things you feel you could do for a career. Think of things that you would like to do all the time (every day for 10 hours a day or more), and might be willing to do for free (without pay; Those things you really have a passion for (eat,sleep drink as they say). Then make a list of careers that line up with those types of activities/ passions. Use google to search "jobs that do XXXX[passion/interest]". This will help guide you onto some jobs out there that do that kind of thing. You can then try to reach out to experts in that industry and ask more questions and see if it seems like a good fit.
After all that then it would be 'doing' as the next step. See if you can get an internship or a role at a company that does what you want to do. Do it on your own on a small scale, join a group or organisation. You can get your feet wet and see how it actually works, and also be around people that do that for a living. It can help guide you into really knowing what part of that industry you really have an interest in.
Also start to study. Read trades or journals or books from people in your interested field. Know what technologies are being used, what theories are being tested, who are the people that are at the forefront of your field or examples of a path you want to try to follow/ emulate.
And things will change over time as well. So something that you kind of like as a hobby now may later turn into a career as well. People change careers all the time, it's not unheard of in today's economy.
This is a good question. I personally took several career assessment tests (and saw a career counselor). These can be found online and many of them are now free. These will help take your personality, how you think and learn and align them with career paths of people similar to you that are happy/ have been successful/ are built that way.
Part of this process of discovery is just that, its discovery. You may need to try a few things to see if it is a good fit, that is part of the benefit of college, it allows for some trial and error without high risks: If you think you want to be an actor, take an acting/drama class, if you like cooking take a culinary class, if you enjoy the idea of creating a business, take a financial or business class.
You can also seek out a mentor or experts in the fields you have interest.
To figure out what fields those are, I would recommend making a list of all the things you feel you could do for a career. Think of things that you would like to do all the time (every day for 10 hours a day or more), and might be willing to do for free (without pay; Those things you really have a passion for (eat,sleep drink as they say). Then make a list of careers that line up with those types of activities/ passions. Use google to search "jobs that do XXXX[passion/interest]". This will help guide you onto some jobs out there that do that kind of thing. You can then try to reach out to experts in that industry and ask more questions and see if it seems like a good fit.
After all that then it would be 'doing' as the next step. See if you can get an internship or a role at a company that does what you want to do. Do it on your own on a small scale, join a group or organisation. You can get your feet wet and see how it actually works, and also be around people that do that for a living. It can help guide you into really knowing what part of that industry you really have an interest in.
Also start to study. Read trades or journals or books from people in your interested field. Know what technologies are being used, what theories are being tested, who are the people that are at the forefront of your field or examples of a path you want to try to follow/ emulate.
And things will change over time as well. So something that you kind of like as a hobby now may later turn into a career as well. People change careers all the time, it's not unheard of in today's economy.
Updated
Patricia’s Answer
Gain experience and exposure in different fields to try find what jobs you like. Taster days/ insight schemes and internships are great options.
Pursue lots of different modules to try decipher what you enjoy.
Finally, if you are still not sure, pick a vague degree or double major in two areas of interest.
Pursue lots of different modules to try decipher what you enjoy.
Finally, if you are still not sure, pick a vague degree or double major in two areas of interest.
Updated
Kajetan’s Answer
I would recommend reading news, books in every area you are interested in for many weeks regularly and after some time decide which was the most exciting for you. Maybe you will spot the boring ones or fields you are not feeling good.
Wish you luck!
Wish you luck!
Updated
Parker’s Answer
Embarking on the thrilling, personal adventure of identifying your passion and molding it into a profession can be made more achievable by following these steps:
1. Contemplate your interests and principles: Initiate your journey by pondering over what genuinely intrigues you and aligns with your core beliefs. Think about activities, subjects, or causes that captivate your attention and spark happiness. Pinpoint the things you naturally lean towards and feel driven to chase.
2. Dive into various sectors and industries: Investigate and delve into diverse fields and industries that connect with your interests. Immerse yourself in books, articles, blogs, documentaries, or online courses to understand different career trajectories. Seek opportunities to shadow professionals or intern in fields that stimulate your curiosity.
3. Undertake self-evaluation: Comprehend your strengths, abilities, and individual attributes. Assess what you're good at and what activities bring you joy. Acknowledge your unique talents and skills, as they can lay the groundwork for a satisfying profession.
4. Experiment and embrace novelty: Welcome new experiences and try a variety of activities to broaden your perspective. Get involved in workshops, join clubs, undertake side projects, or volunteer in areas that intrigue you. Experimentation can lead you to unearth new passions and reveal hidden talents.
5. Draw inspiration from others: Seek out role models or individuals who have successfully transformed their passion into a thriving career. Understand their paths, the hurdles they encountered, and how they surmounted challenges.
1. Contemplate your interests and principles: Initiate your journey by pondering over what genuinely intrigues you and aligns with your core beliefs. Think about activities, subjects, or causes that captivate your attention and spark happiness. Pinpoint the things you naturally lean towards and feel driven to chase.
2. Dive into various sectors and industries: Investigate and delve into diverse fields and industries that connect with your interests. Immerse yourself in books, articles, blogs, documentaries, or online courses to understand different career trajectories. Seek opportunities to shadow professionals or intern in fields that stimulate your curiosity.
3. Undertake self-evaluation: Comprehend your strengths, abilities, and individual attributes. Assess what you're good at and what activities bring you joy. Acknowledge your unique talents and skills, as they can lay the groundwork for a satisfying profession.
4. Experiment and embrace novelty: Welcome new experiences and try a variety of activities to broaden your perspective. Get involved in workshops, join clubs, undertake side projects, or volunteer in areas that intrigue you. Experimentation can lead you to unearth new passions and reveal hidden talents.
5. Draw inspiration from others: Seek out role models or individuals who have successfully transformed their passion into a thriving career. Understand their paths, the hurdles they encountered, and how they surmounted challenges.
Updated
Dino’s Answer
Hello Leah,
Thanks for reaching out to us. I truly understand your current situation. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. I've interacted with many students who had similar concerns, and in time, they were able to pinpoint their interests.
I encourage you to reflect on your intelligence, abilities, skills, values, personality traits, and career interests before making a decision from your list of interests. Choosing a career requires a commitment to yourself, as you're the only one who can shape your future. It's a personal choice, and ultimately, this is your career for a lifetime.
Think about a field that you would enjoy, something you would love doing. Follow your heart and passion, rather than just following the most popular program right now. Always stay true to your desires. This is a crucial stage, as you're choosing the career that will shape your future.
At the moment, you might have numerous interests in your mind. Allow yourself to jot them all down on paper. Then, refer back to the factors you need to evaluate about yourself, starting from your intellectual ability, likes, and so on. You might find some interests that align with your thoughts and feelings, but remember, you'll need to make a decision eventually. You can't have it all, and at the end of the day, you'll have to choose just one college program.
So, be well-informed and make a wise decision in your career exploration. I'm here to support you, and I assure you, things will work out in the end. Enjoy the journey!
Seek help from your counselor in your school as regards to your career exploration.
List down all your interests in your mind to have a clearer view of what you really really like career in the future. Rank all of them and get only the top 3.
Go or visit your library and do some research on occupational handbook read each career and find out which of these career fitted for you.
Attend guidance and counseling job placement or college talks to gain more perspective in your career exploration.
Thanks for reaching out to us. I truly understand your current situation. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. I've interacted with many students who had similar concerns, and in time, they were able to pinpoint their interests.
I encourage you to reflect on your intelligence, abilities, skills, values, personality traits, and career interests before making a decision from your list of interests. Choosing a career requires a commitment to yourself, as you're the only one who can shape your future. It's a personal choice, and ultimately, this is your career for a lifetime.
Think about a field that you would enjoy, something you would love doing. Follow your heart and passion, rather than just following the most popular program right now. Always stay true to your desires. This is a crucial stage, as you're choosing the career that will shape your future.
At the moment, you might have numerous interests in your mind. Allow yourself to jot them all down on paper. Then, refer back to the factors you need to evaluate about yourself, starting from your intellectual ability, likes, and so on. You might find some interests that align with your thoughts and feelings, but remember, you'll need to make a decision eventually. You can't have it all, and at the end of the day, you'll have to choose just one college program.
So, be well-informed and make a wise decision in your career exploration. I'm here to support you, and I assure you, things will work out in the end. Enjoy the journey!
Dino recommends the following next steps:
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