How to Find Your Passion and Embrace It

For some people, the career they’ve wanted has always been crystal clear. For others, discovering their calling takes years and is more challenging to identify. If you’re in the latter group and aren’t sure how to find your passion career, here are a few guidelines that can help.

Ask Yourself Questions (and Answer Truthfully)

You can only pursue your passion once you've found it. So, the first step to finding your passion is to ask yourself some tough questions – and to give yourself honest answers. Here are a few to consider to get you started:

• What makes you happy?
• Where do you thrive?
• What do you enjoy learning about?

Be as specific with your answers as you can. Maybe you know you have a passion for healthcare, for instance. Is it a passion for working directly with patients, or would you prefer a more behind-the-scenes healthcare career? The more specific you are in your responses, the greater your ability to identify what truly lights your spark.

Take Chances

Now that you have an idea of what you're passionate about, give yourself permission to take some risks. Whether it's filling out an externship application, enrolling in a new healthcare training program, or changing careers entirely, there's no time like the present to challenge yourself to explore your passions.

If you follow through and don't feel the fire, you can always go back to the drawing board and revisit the things that make you feel passionate. Sometimes the best way to find your passion is to take a risk and try something new. You never know what you'll stumble upon when you take chances.

Trust Yourself

One of the most important elements of finding your passion is to trust yourself. Well-meaning family members, friends, or coworkers might have a different vision about what your life should be. But if you know what you want to pursue, don't let that hold you back.

The best advice we can offer is to trust yourself and follow the things that make you feel excited about life — that give you hope for a tomorrow in which you feel fulfilled and satisfied in your career. At the end of the day, you are the only person living your life and you know yourself best.

Follow these steps for how to find your passion and embrace the opportunities that arise. If we can help in any way, let us know. And if you know you have a passion for healthcare but aren’t sure what type of role may suit you best, our quick and fun Healthcare Career Quiz can help give you some ideas!