Are you struggling to figure out what to do with your career but can’t find something you’re passionate about. There are a lot of people out there who feel like they don’t have a passion for any career. If this is you, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a life of misery. It just means that you need to explore your options and find something that interests you more.
Millions of people find themselves stuck in what can seem like dead-end jobs every year. The unfortunate reality is that most of them will continue to work these jobs because they need the paycheck. But imagine if you could find a job that not only paid the bills but also made you excited to get to work every day.
These careers are out there if you use some creativity and are willing to take a little risk. So let’s explore some ways you might find a career you have a passion for.
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Think about your hobbies
One way to find your passion is to look at your hobbies and interests. What do you like to do for fun? What are you interested in learning more about? There’s a good chance that you can turn one of your hobbies or interests into a career.
Put some serious thought into the type of sports you like to play for instance. How many different products are associated with most sports we play. Well, maybe you can find a manufacturer of one of those products and apply for a job.
And maybe you won’t find those jobs just by looking at job search sites. You may need to be more proactive and contact a company that’s not even actively looking for new employees. An owner or manager of a good company will almost certainly listen to a person who has a passion for their business and is looking for a job.
Related: Changing Careers at 50
Talk to people in careers you might be interested
Another way to find your passion is to talk to people who work in careers that you’re interested in. You may just not have enough information about a certain industry to know if you might have a passion for it.
If you think you’re not interested in a certain career, make contact with a friend, or just reach out to someone on LinkedIn. You will most likely find someone that is willing to talk to you about that career path and give you insights.
Consider starting a business
Another way to find a career you’re passionate about is to turn an interest into a business. While traditional career paths you can think of might not be interesting, you undoubtedly have some love outside of work.
Use those loves to create a business. You already know these things are of interest to you, so think creatively about how you can make them a business. In fact, this is how many successful businesses are started in the first place.
You can often start these businesses with minimal investment and try them as a side hustle. That takes away much of the risk taken on by some entrepreneurs who leave their job and invest significant dollars.
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Look at franchises
Similar to starting a business, you can look at franchise opportunities. You may not realize how many franchises are out there that match your interests. If you’re passionate about coffee, for example, you might want to look into a coffee franchise. This can give you the opportunity to be your own boss and work in a career you’re interested in.
Most people think of a handful of the country’s most popular franchises and don’t realize how many different opportunities exist. There are thousands of options in almost every industry imaginable.
You can even find franchises that will allow you to work the majority of your hours from home.
The one kicker is that most franchises will come with a cost and other financial requirements. So you’ll need some decent savings to consider this option.
Take a career assessment or quiz
If you’re still having trouble finding your passion, there are plenty of career assessments and quizzes online that can help. These tests can give you a better idea of what types of careers would be a good fit for you.
Keep in mind that these assessments are just a starting point. If you take one, and the results don’t feel right, there’s no need to worry. Take it for what it’s worth, and consider if maybe there’s some validity to what the test tells you.
But in the end, you need to feel good about the direction you decide to move with your career.
Find a career counselor
Another thing you should consider if you’re not finding any passion in your career is to consult with a career counselor. They can help you explore your options and find a career that’s a good fit for you.
Career counselors can also walk you through an assessment to help you find your passion. They can offer resources and advice to help you get started on a new career path.
Take a course
Online courses provide an excellent resource for you to test the waters without major investment. Think about shorter courses like those offered on Udemy, or a more formal course like those offered at Coursera.
Either of these options (and there are many more) offer great content on a plethora of subjects at affordable pricing. Taking advantage of these courses is a great way to find out if you might be interested in a career path.
Think about community college
Community colleges offer some of the best programs at the best prices for people who are unsure of their passion. You can take a general program that allows you to get some idea of a career path without committing completely to your final degree.
You typically then have the option to stay at that school and earn an associate degree, or you can transfer to a university if you’d like to pursue more advanced degrees.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, you want to find a career path or direction in life that makes you happy and feeds a passion. It doesn’t matter what anyone tells you because if it isn’t something you’re passionate about then there’s a much higher chance you’re going to burn out over time.
There are lots of ways for people to explore their options before making a final decision on their career path. Consult with professionals, take online courses, or try out a business idea based on something you love- the options are endless!
In the end, it’s up to you to find what makes you happy and fulfilled in your work. So don’t be afraid to explore all of your options until you find the perfect fit.