Express Yourself: 6 Ways to Find Passion in Your Career

As we go through the “best four years” of our lives, we sometimes get so caught up in academics, fun parties, and our busy schedules that we never really stop to reflect on life after college. Sure, we have our majors, but anything past that for me is crossing into a vague and scary territory. No one wants to end up in a job that they dread going to; a job where you watch the clock praying for time to go faster. So how do we find our passion, the ‘X’ factor that can differentiate you from all the other employees? Passion is so important; it is the difference between a boring, mundane job and a meaningful one. It’s what drives you to wake up in the morning and put your best effort forward despite all the obstacles you may face. Here are 6 tips for finding and expressing passion in your career:

1. Meditate and Reflect

The first step to incorporating passion into your work is determining what you’re passionate about. Your passion has to be something that you would work exceptionally hard for. What activities, causes or topics are you most committed to? What lights you on fire and keeps you talking for hours? What makes you lose track of time? If you can’t really answer these questions, spend some time writing in your journal or just go to a quiet place to reflect on yourself. Think back to activities you loved as a kid or take some assessment tests. Everyone has passions; find yours.

2. Just Say Yes

Remember that invitation to Midnight Rodeo you declined? Go next time. Decided not to take a class that interested you because it wasn’t required? Take it pass/fail next semester. Be an explorer in college, especially when you can take advantage of flat-rate tuition, student discounts, and the vast number of opportunities available at our large campus. You many never get the chance to take interesting, obscure classes UT offers after college! Visit Austin-unique places like SoCo (South Congress), Mozart’s on Lake Austin, Zilker Park, Cathedral of Junk, and Mount Bonnell. Be open to new experiences, assignments, trips, networking events, and more. Just say ‘yes’ when new opportunities arise and you may just end up discovering your calling in unexpected places.

3. Don’t Put Yourself in a Box

Get rid of the “shoulds” and “shouldn’ts.” Don’t limit yourself to your major. There are Government majors who end up working for software companies. A Chemistry major may find her passion in law. A business student decides that the field of medicine is her calling. There is no “right” way to achieve your career goals. Disregard gender stereotypes and the expectations of others. Figure out what you want and chase after it! Are you ambitious and want to pursue several fields? Consider double majoring or dual degree-ing- it may be more achievable than you think!

4. Ask for Guidance

Each school has its own career services; find it and use it! The Career Exploration Center in Jester contains information about all the different majors, offers personality/career assessment tests, and provides free career counseling. Contact and talk to professionals in the field you want to work in and take advantage of any alumni contacts. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or look for a mentor. Jump in on any college’s career fairs because they’re open to ALL students!

5. Be Friends with Passionate People

With over 50,000 students at UT, there has to be at least one other person who shares your same interests. Find other artists, soccer players, gamers, cooks, readers, etc. Join and take leadership roles in organizations that support your passions. Make friends with people who are passionate about the same things you are and learn from them. Ever heard of networking? In this day and age, networking is pretty crucial to your finding a job! You might have to brush up on your people skills for this one, but don’t sweat it! There’s a class on Interpersonal Communication taught by Dr. John Daly offered every semester and is open to all majors. This class will teach you all about charisma, networking, change, relationships, and more! Just look for CMS 315.

6. Give Back

They say love only grows the more it is shared. The best way to find or enhance your passion is to volunteer your time and talent. If you love animals, volunteer to work at a zoo or animal shelter. If you love science, sign up to help out at a hospital or science laboratory. If you love being outdoors, coach a team of kids or volunteer at a summer camp. Volunteering can reveal hidden passions by helping you see where you devote your efforts even without monetary incentives.