Finding a job/career you can be passionate about

[rmelton]

Hey all,

I'm a junior at Iowa State U., and I'm majoring in history and poli sci at the moment. I came to school with a desire to become a meteorologist, but that fell through, because I wasn't expecting or prepared for the calculus and physics that came along with it.
At the beginning of this semester, I was a triple major, with journalism, and started writing for the school newspaper, but found that it was alot of stress without any enjoyment or fulfillment.
Ever since the meteorlogy thing fell through my freshman year, I haven't been able to find a job or a major that I feel passionate about. My whole life, I dreamt about and thought about meteorology, and I haven't been able to find anything that matches the passion I had for meteorology.
So, my question is this. Should I think about my future job or career based upon whether I feel passionate about it? Will I be able to find something I feel passionate about. What if I can't figure this out before I graduate?

Thanks for your help.

[winneythepooh7]

I don't think MOST people figure it out before and after they graduate. I got my MSW and this isn't what I want to do with the rest of my life. In fact, I have no clue what I want to do with the rest of my life. Marry a rich guy, become a lady that lunches, no that's not really realistic though, and I don't think I'd truly be happy with that either.

[MarylandGirl80]

Have you tried taking the strong inventory test? I took it and it solved alot of my career problems. Contact the college/university, or a local community college and see if they will give you the exam.

[grneyedmustang]

Here's a link to a free version:
http://www.thebeehive.org/jobs/careercoach/imagine/profiler/default.asp

[GetMeOuttaDC]

rmelton - that's the problem... I think there are really very few people who are "passionate" about their jobs... do you think many people are passionate about copyright law, cost accounting, answering telephones, and other equally boring stuff?

Not me, although I did once try to find something I was passionate about and ended up being unemployed for a few months. Basically, a job is a necessary evil, means to an end, or means to finance something you can be passionate about. (ie, having a family one day is important to me - the $$$ I make now will be a way to finance doing that.) people are not meant to live to work and find true happiness in their jobs. and that's where American culture goes wrong, is projecting that unrealistic expectation onto people.

find a major, and then a job you can tolerate, and work on making yourself happy OUTSIDE the office. don't live to work or your life'll be pretty sad.

[Tbone]

rmelton, I promise you, what you THINK you are passionate about now, WILL change once you graduate. I was passionate about doing things too and then once you get out in the real world, what you read and learned in a textbook is far different than the actual on the job experience you get. Pick a major that you are interested in (doesn't have to be a passion), take lots of electives, get a minor in something completely different and explore things that way. Probably more than half of us 20 somethings don't do anything we got our degree in anyway. Don't stress about this...you're still in college. Have fun b/c the fun is over after graduation!! :)

[GetMeOuttaDC]

TBone - STOP!

the fun does not end; it is just a different kind of fun. And your first year out of school is a lot more hectic than any year after that.

[Tbone]

Originally posted by GetMeOuttaDC
TBone - STOP!

the fun does not end; it is just a different kind of fun. And your first year out of school is a lot more hectic than any year after that.

hmmm...perhaps I did sound a bit cynical, but I still think college is the time of your life and it shouldn't be wasted by worry. You know the old cliche, "I wish I knew then what I know now?" I wish someone had told me not to worry so much when I was in college.

I have fun now, but not as much and you're right, "different" fun.

[Empressallie]

I wish I could learn this lesson! In my head I know I should relax, but I always manage to freak out, usually over something small. I am a senior in college, my life now is Great, I am just apprehensive (and excited of course) about the future.

[Tbone]

Empressallie, it is normal to worry even in college, but my advice would be to take it one day at a time. Take advantage of the time you have left and party it up! Coming out of college is not easy and you have to adapt but it does come in time.

[talg1122]

I have always belived that you should never just settle for something. Find what you are passionate about and do it. I am kind of going through a similar thing. I have been out of college for a few years now. Been working my dream job and all of a sudden am questioning if it is what I really want. I was passionate about it and now I just dont know. It is so confusing!!

[rmelton]

Hey all, thanks for your replies. Well, finals are next week, so by mid-december, I'll essentially be a senior, although I fall three credits short to be one officially.
Well, I know there are differing opinions on whether people should find a job that they are passionate about, or one where the money is the focus. I still hold out hope that I can find something I will truly enjoy, but I do agree that a job is a necessary evil.
I'm thinking about teaching. It would be a busy job with not alot of pay, but I would be able to directly make some kind of positive impact. And plus, I'd get summers off too, which would be nice. Well all, I'm still searching, but I'm getting alot better at forcing myself to relax and take it one day at a time. Today has been great thus far, and I'm off to see my girlfriend soon to give her a dozen roses. Today's our three month anniversary. So, I guess not all is wrong with this world. :) Unless she dumps me or something.;)

[Empressallie]

thanks TBone. I know its normal, but its still hard! All of my friends are going through pre-graduation anxiety, all of varying degrees. Some people are always stressed about it, and some, like my SO, is so confident about the future. He's so confident it frustrates me, for I wish I could be more like that.

But dont worry, I am having a BLAST! My first apartment, being 21, great friends/boyfriend. I have no complaints, i want life to stay like this!!!

[Viola]

I think if you really want to become a meteorologist, you should pursue it.

If you try hard enough you will pass the Calculus and Physics courses. I never thought I would take a Calculus course but I am passionate about my major and I will do it because if I don't, I will feel like I am letting myself down. Even if I don't end up doing what I am passionate about now, at least I tried and I will not wonder "what if".

[Tbone]

Originally posted by Empressallie
thanks TBone. I know its normal, but its still hard! All of my friends are going through pre-graduation anxiety, all of varying degrees. Some people are always stressed about it, and some, like my SO, is so confident about the future. He's so confident it frustrates me, for I wish I could be more like that.

But dont worry, I am having a BLAST! My first apartment, being 21, great friends/boyfriend. I have no complaints, i want life to stay like this!!!

I love to hear that you are having a blast. It's so cool to hear a college student say that! I knew so many people in college that came in with all of this college credit from high school and took lots of classes every term just so they could graduate early...I was like "and leave all this"...craziness! I had that pre-graduation anxiety too, esp in grad school. I decided one day I hated what I was getting my Masters degree in (mid-way through the program) and freaked out. I ended up changing tracks to what I thought I wanted to do instead...luckily I didn't lose any credits b/c it was in the same school...but turns out I still hated what I changed it to. You just never know and if I hadn't thought so damn hard all the time, things might have been different. Hindsight..ain't it a b*tch?!

Oh and P.S....sometimes those that seem confident, aren't. Not saying your SO isn't truly, but it's easy to look at others and think how great they have it when that may not be the case.