Choosing A Career You’re Passionate About
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As high schoolers approach their junior and senior years, they are often bombarded with a barrage of questions. What do you want to do for the rest of your life? Do you want to attend college? What will you study? For many students, these questions can cause a lot of stress and anxiety.
Why do these questions cause so much stress? It is often because these decisions could potentially determine what one will do for the rest of their life. Whether someone is attending college or going straight into the workforce, it can be difficult for one to determine how they want to spend their future. Some people also feel it is unreasonable to choose a career in something they are passionate about. However, this can be the difference between enjoying your work or hating it.
A study that was conducted over 15 years concluded that about 70% of people are unsatisfied and unhappy with their work. This unhappiness in one’s career can often carry over into their personal life and even affect relationships. So why do so many people continue to pursue careers that they have no real interest in or passion for? They want to impress those around them and feel respected.
Years after graduating college, trade school, or entering the workforce, individuals are constantly hounded with the question, “What do you do?” Although this may seem like a question that would garner a simple response, it often causes people’s anxiety to shoot through the roof.
As human beings, it’s ingrained in our nature to desire acceptance and respect from those around us. Many individuals select a career path with the aspiration of making a meaningful contribution to society, even if they may not have a genuine passion for their work. This inclination can have detrimental effects on both employees and the employers they work for, emphasizing the importance of sourcing the best managers who can foster a positive and fulfilling work environment..
Pursuing a career you love is not only beneficial to individuals but can also help shape a positive company culture. Numerous studies have shown that employees who are highly engaged in their work will boost company productivity. This can also prevent one from bringing so much stress home from work, as they feel that they are doing something they enjoy rather than actually working.
Recently, research has shown that more individuals are making the choice to follow their passions and disregard how their careers might be perceived by others. This is largely due to the increasing success of small businesses and start-ups that have become successful across the country. Whether this becomes a lifelong career or a way to put oneself through college, it can be helpful to meet your goals.
Some argue against “pursuing your passion” because they feel there is a higher risk of burnout and an inability to separate one’s work from one’s life. However, passion can have different meanings for different people. In the end, it is important to think about what you’re good at and what you enjoy doing when choosing a potential career path. Having a positive outlook on your work can improve the world around you.
Sources:
https://www.inc.com/jt-odonnell/how-this-1-question-can-make-you-choose-wrong-career.html
https://www.biospace.com/article/how-important-is-it-to-be-passionate-about-your-job-/
Amy Acevedo is currently a senior at Roxbury High School and has shown an interest in writing from a young age. Her article about Super Bowl LI was selected...
