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What is the best way to find your passion?

I'm a upcoming 11th grader who doesn't know what to do as a major for college soon. I only have so much time for school left and I've been indecisive of these options: criminal justice, nursing, culinary, and construction. I want to find out which one i feel more passionate or interested in at the least.

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Leah’s Answer

Finding your passion is certainly a process! I also struggled with this same question through high school and college. For me, finding my passion involved first finding many things (hundreds of things) that I was not passionate about. Identifying what you do not want to do can be just as valuable as finding what you do want to do. In HS and college, I tried everything and anything like joining clubs that interested me outside of my major. When experimenting in different fields, it's important to remember:

1) All roles and jobs have their pros and cons. It's easy to get tripped up when you encounter a negative, so keep in mind that the goal isn't to find something perfect with no cons, it's to find a path where the positives outweigh the negatives.

2) Focus on how you feel while exploring each path. Ask yourself if you feel energized, challenged, excited, or drained. I found that to be a great barometer for evaluating if I was interested in a particular path long-term.

3) It's not a race, and nothing is permanent! Where you start is almost never where you end up. Many successful people switch careers throughout their lifetime many times. In fact, changing focus and passions -- which evolve and change over time -- ultimately make you a more well-rounded person and a more competitive hire.
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Keyston’s Answer

Hey there, I get where you're coming from. Even though I didn't go to college myself, I've learned that finding your passion takes some soul-searching. Don't rush it – explore your interests, maybe try out related hobbies or part-time jobs. Those options you mentioned are diverse, so try imagining yourself in each role. Talk to people in those fields, maybe even do some job shadowing. It's okay to feel indecisive; just remember, you're not locked into one choice forever. Your journey might surprise you, like it did for me in facility maintenance. Just stay curious and keep exploring.
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Shima’s Answer

It's understandable to feel indecisive about your future career path. One way to explore your interests is to research each of the options you mentioned and see which one resonates with you the most. You can also try shadowing or interning in each field to get a better sense of what the work entails and if it's something you could see yourself doing long-term. Additionally, consider talking to professionals in each field to gain insight into their experiences and ask any questions you may have. It's important to choose a major that aligns with your passions and strengths, so take the time to explore your options before making a decision.
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Malar’s Answer

Hey Charlie, I get that it's tough to pinpoint your passion among many different areas. Here's a straightforward plan:
1. Review past interests - Look into what you've been most drawn to in these areas and why.
2. Assess your skills & potential earnings - Write down your abilities in each of your passion areas, as well as the possible opportunities each one could offer.
3. Consult trusted seniors, teachers, and professionals - Speak with some of your trusted seniors, teachers, and experts in your areas of interest, and make a note of the pros/cons of each area.
4. Summarize and narrow down choices - Based on your research from steps 1, 2, and 3, you should be able to reduce your options and put them in order.
5. Intern or volunteer in top 2 areas - Choose the top 2 options from your analysis and find internships or volunteering opportunities in these areas.

After step 5, you should have a clear plan for your top choice and be ready to confidently step into that field! Best of luck on your journey towards your passions!
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Jonathan’s Answer

Hello! I'd like to add that everyone's passion tend to change as the years go by. I personally would suggest by starting out from your hobbies. Do you have any hobbies? If so list them down and rate them accordingly. Your most favorited hobby can be your future major! If you are still unsure the fret not you can try to think about your interests. What interests you? It can be something small such enjoying cooking. If this is the case then you could decided on being a food scientist or anything in the food industry. I would like to add that it is normal for your passion to change over the years, my passion has personally changed as the years went by. Back when I was your age I used to be interested in Mechanical Engineering, that has since change and my passion now is in Cybersecurity. I do have plenty of hobbies but neither of my hobbies interests me enough to study them. I wish you the best of luck. Good luck!
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. I am glad to hear you have a wide range of interest. The best thing is to find out what careers you have interest / passion.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
Eg if you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, music composer, music producer, musical actor, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, banker, engineer, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guilt from your mentor, school career counsellor, parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of the relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
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RACHEL’s Answer

Lived exprience and hands on work experience will allow you to see how you feel with each opportunity.

Reflecting on yourself and things such as: what you naturally gravitate to, what you get excited about, what you find yourself thinking about, seeking to learn about, getting involved in, discovering, or pursing simply because you choose to, etc...

Are there videos, books, stories, vlogs, ideas you gravitate towards?

Are there companies, professionals, or things that really inspire you to choose particular opportunities in your life?

RACHEL recommends the following next steps:

You can try volunteering, obtaining part-time work, or creating your own hands on projects that afford you the experience, and exploration of each career path. You can find which choice you reasonate with the most, or feel most you in.
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Yanna’s Answer

You have an array of diverse interests. To make sure you choose one that you'll continue to enjoy in the future, consider these steps: engage in conversations with people who have already pursued these interests, such as alumni or professionals in the field. Additionally, you could volunteer or take on a part-time role in these areas to get a firsthand experience of what it's like.
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Amanda’s Answer

Hi Charlie! Your question is great, and it's one that many professionals constantly review too :)

Passion, I believe, is a dynamic facet of our identities. What excited me at the age of 10 was vastly different from what intrigued me at 20, and now in my 30's, it's evolved even further. The key, I think, is to perpetually seek knowledge in new areas, immerse yourself in diverse cultures, and never shy away from embracing or learning something novel. Especially those things that challenge your worldview or personal experiences. Through such endeavors, I've discovered my passion, lost it, and then rekindled a new one.

If you're looking for a tangible step, try volunteering in a field you're interested in. This could give you a taste of whether it could potentially be a "career" for you. If it doesn't resonate with you, take from it what you can and leave the rest behind. Remember, if your passion shifts, it's absolutely NORMAL! It's all part of the thrilling journey of self-discovery and growth :)
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Dominik’s Answer

Hey Charlie. It's great e-meeting you :) Wow, great question, I could probably write a book about and spend hours talking about.

Let me share my insights with you in a nutshell -

1. Start with defining the term passion. Read about it, do some research, talk with family & friends about it. What's you personal definition of passion?
2. Ask yourself what passion means to you? How important is it for you? Do you see yourself as a passionate person? How much passion are your experiencing daily/weekly? What impact does passion have on you?
3. Dive deeper and determine your passions! What do you love to do frequently? What makes you happy? Is there anything you're constantly doing and gives you plenty of pleasure and satisfaction? Be honest with yourself what truly makes you happy, laugh, and gives you an extra level of excitement. Try to come up with 10 things.
4. In a next step, dive even deeper in reviewing those 10 passions and truly narrowing them down to your top 3 ones. Again, be honest with yourself! Remember there is no right nor wrong. It's all about you and your true passions. This steps helps you to prioritize things, ask the right questions, reflect on yourself, and simply decide for something that you will develop and passionately follow.
5. Once you have decided for your top 3 passions, draft a plan on next steps! What can I do to live out those passions? What do I need? What stops me from following my passions? What have I done so far? Who can support me on those passions?

Those steps are not set in stone and are based on my own experience.
Overall, see what makes you happy and passionate! Write those things down and find a way to experience those moments frequently.
Your passions will become an essential part of your life over time and open many exciting doors for you.
Believe in them and live them out! Professional and personal opportunities will come along ;)
Hope this is of help. Stay well and reach out at any time, if I can be of additional support.
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