6 answers
Diana
Student
Littleton, Colorado
1
Question
Asked
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How do you find purpose within your career?
I am someone who has recently decided to go back to school and pursue a different degree because my current job leaves me filling drained and unfulfilled. How did you find your purpose and what advice can you give to someone who is trying to find theirs?
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6 answers
Kenneth Romanowski
CFP Board Emeritus (R), CTFA (Ret.), Instructor and Researcher of Financial History
33
Answers
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Updated
Kenneth’s Answer
After years without direction, I sought professional help. It took two years to determine my path. It met my criteria, including serving God and helping people. It took years after that to get hired in the role I studied for. When that happened, I stayed with the company almost 18 years until retirement. Even my ultimate job had ups and downs.
To get started
Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. Put the pluses of your current job on one side and the negatives on the other. Assign weights to each item. Which side scores the highest? If the pluses are greater maybe you need to switch organizations. If the minuses are higher, it’s time to move on.
What do you want out of life? Why?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Write a story of your life (one of my advisers assignments). Look for patterns in your life, positive and negative, to give you clues about what is right for you in the future.
What can you do that won’t burn you out?
I hope these suggestions help.
To get started
Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. Put the pluses of your current job on one side and the negatives on the other. Assign weights to each item. Which side scores the highest? If the pluses are greater maybe you need to switch organizations. If the minuses are higher, it’s time to move on.
What do you want out of life? Why?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Write a story of your life (one of my advisers assignments). Look for patterns in your life, positive and negative, to give you clues about what is right for you in the future.
What can you do that won’t burn you out?
I hope these suggestions help.
Cin R
Finance Manager
5
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Cin’s Answer
Hello Diana,
From my perspective, finding purpose in your career isn’t always black and white. It’s important to recognize that sometimes we work simply to earn a living and pay bills—and that’s okay. Your life purpose doesn’t always have to align perfectly with your job. Ideally, we’d all have careers that fully match our purpose, but in reality, that’s not always easy. In fact, sometimes we don’t even know what our purpose is yet, and discovering it takes time.
To start exploring this, ask yourself: What activities would I happily do for free? Then dig deeper into why you enjoy those things and what underlying purpose they reflect. Once you have clarity on that, you can begin identifying roles or fields that align with it.
I don’t believe a degree alone defines your purpose. For example, if your purpose is helping people, there are countless ways to achieve that across different professions and degrees. Feeling drained or burned out in a previous role may have had more to do with the day-to-day tasks than with your overall purpose.
From my perspective, finding purpose in your career isn’t always black and white. It’s important to recognize that sometimes we work simply to earn a living and pay bills—and that’s okay. Your life purpose doesn’t always have to align perfectly with your job. Ideally, we’d all have careers that fully match our purpose, but in reality, that’s not always easy. In fact, sometimes we don’t even know what our purpose is yet, and discovering it takes time.
To start exploring this, ask yourself: What activities would I happily do for free? Then dig deeper into why you enjoy those things and what underlying purpose they reflect. Once you have clarity on that, you can begin identifying roles or fields that align with it.
I don’t believe a degree alone defines your purpose. For example, if your purpose is helping people, there are countless ways to achieve that across different professions and degrees. Feeling drained or burned out in a previous role may have had more to do with the day-to-day tasks than with your overall purpose.
Tricia Timmons
Sales
28
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Tricia’s Answer
It's great that you've recognized the need for a change. Start by figuring out what energizes you—what makes you happy, gives you a sense of purpose, or makes you feel like you're contributing meaningfully. Think about what you're good at in school and what you enjoy doing in your free time. See if there's a career that combines both. For example, if you like sports and are creative, consider sports marketing. If you enjoy reading and are good with language, being an editor might be a good fit. Keep your options open and dream big!
If you're going back to school, use the chance to connect with teachers and campus resources. Try different subjects to see what you like, or talk to people in fields you're interested in before deciding on a new degree.
Remember, you can find purpose in any job—whether it's helping others, solving problems, or offering solutions. Look for work that makes you happy and aligns with your values. It's possible. Good luck!
If you're going back to school, use the chance to connect with teachers and campus resources. Try different subjects to see what you like, or talk to people in fields you're interested in before deciding on a new degree.
Remember, you can find purpose in any job—whether it's helping others, solving problems, or offering solutions. Look for work that makes you happy and aligns with your values. It's possible. Good luck!
Brendan McGeever
Consulting Engineer
6
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Brendan’s Answer
I felt similarly early in my career and also decided to change paths. My first career I felt like I had coasted in to and didn't have a passion for. At the time I had taken a job to make ends meet after college, and it became a place where I succeeded, but the idea of developing further scared me since I had no deep interest.
In that moment I realized that I knew exactly what I wanted to try for. My goals were broad, but I knew I wanted to land in the tech sector and to be placed in a high prestige job quickly after graduation. With this I found a school well regarded for what I wanted to do and a mandatory co-op (paid internship) program in order to graduate. I moved from Colorado to upstate NY, and basically did whatever I had to do to succeed, including briefly living in a couple different states to finish my co-ops.
My advice from all of this is to really give all of yourself to whatever you choose to do next. Make it something you're proud of, and surround yourself with equally engaged people. You may still find in 10 years you don't *love* it, but I think you'll still learn a lot about yourself.
In that moment I realized that I knew exactly what I wanted to try for. My goals were broad, but I knew I wanted to land in the tech sector and to be placed in a high prestige job quickly after graduation. With this I found a school well regarded for what I wanted to do and a mandatory co-op (paid internship) program in order to graduate. I moved from Colorado to upstate NY, and basically did whatever I had to do to succeed, including briefly living in a couple different states to finish my co-ops.
My advice from all of this is to really give all of yourself to whatever you choose to do next. Make it something you're proud of, and surround yourself with equally engaged people. You may still find in 10 years you don't *love* it, but I think you'll still learn a lot about yourself.
Phoenix LI
Talent Development
1
Answer
Shanghai, China
Updated
Phoenix’s Answer
It's excellent that you're considering this question early in your career. This is, for many, a lifelong pursuit. Rather than seeking a definitive answer, the most critical step is to begin by exploring your "why."
Start by reflecting on your core values. What beliefs enable you to perform at your peak? What principles guide you through challenges? Naming these values makes them usable, providing clarity for decision-making. When your actions align with your core values, you unlock greater motivation, a stronger sense of purpose, and deeper fulfillment.
Ultimately, exploring your "why" is about defining your direction. Your career is a vehicle for this growth. By understanding your purpose, you transform your career from a mere job into a meaningful part of your life's journey.
Start by reflecting on your core values. What beliefs enable you to perform at your peak? What principles guide you through challenges? Naming these values makes them usable, providing clarity for decision-making. When your actions align with your core values, you unlock greater motivation, a stronger sense of purpose, and deeper fulfillment.
Ultimately, exploring your "why" is about defining your direction. Your career is a vehicle for this growth. By understanding your purpose, you transform your career from a mere job into a meaningful part of your life's journey.
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
When I was trying to figure out my own purpose, I started by asking myself some simple questions: What do I care about? What am I good at? And how can I use those things to help others? Think about the times you've felt excited or proud of what you were doing, whether at work, in school, or even in your free time. Those moments can give you clues about the kind of work that truly fits you.
It also helps to explore different experiences. Sometimes, the only way to figure out what you want is by trying new things. Going back to school gives you the chance to do just that, take classes that interest you, talk to classmates or professors about their careers, and look for internships or projects that let you try out new roles. Each new experience teaches you something valuable about what you like and don't like. Don't worry if your path isn't straight as most people's careers take unexpected turns before they find what feels right.
Also, remember that finding purpose doesn't mean ignoring practical needs like financial stability. It's about finding balance between what fulfills you and what supports your life. Sometimes you can find meaning right where you are: by helping others at work, improving your skills, or connecting your job to a bigger goal. Other times, you may need to make big changes, like the one you're already making. Be patient with yourself as you go through this process. Good luck.
It also helps to explore different experiences. Sometimes, the only way to figure out what you want is by trying new things. Going back to school gives you the chance to do just that, take classes that interest you, talk to classmates or professors about their careers, and look for internships or projects that let you try out new roles. Each new experience teaches you something valuable about what you like and don't like. Don't worry if your path isn't straight as most people's careers take unexpected turns before they find what feels right.
Also, remember that finding purpose doesn't mean ignoring practical needs like financial stability. It's about finding balance between what fulfills you and what supports your life. Sometimes you can find meaning right where you are: by helping others at work, improving your skills, or connecting your job to a bigger goal. Other times, you may need to make big changes, like the one you're already making. Be patient with yourself as you go through this process. Good luck.