What do you do for a career if you have no specific passion?

Parent Cafe
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<p>I think you do a great job of articulating the angst of your generation. And I guess us parents- me included- are to blame. Follow your passion is something we’ve said a lot but maybe its not so realistic (at least not if one has to try to ‘plan for it’). </p>

<p>The one other feature I see a lot of among your age group- at least on CC- is needing a sense of certainty and predictability. As if there should be one linear path one gets on from early highschool and sticks to it. </p>

<p>With that said, I want to challenge your assumption that you need to know, now, what you will do for the next 40 years. Why not just aim for the next five and take it from there? Most people do nto end up doing what they educated for in undergrad. A giant percentage could not possibly predict in college what they are doing today (whether they love it or not). Many adults today have many different careers over a lifetime. Your generation is even more likely to change occupations and careers many times over! Now add in what everyone keeps sayign: we do’t even know the next big occupations 20 years from now. </p>

<p>So maybe you are biting off too big a piece to aim for the 40 year occupation right now. That might be too big and daunting. Take a shorter horizon and start going down any path that sounds interesting. One job or company (which i assure you is almost ALWAYS better than those damn life-draining internships), will expose you to things, help you learn more about yourself, open doors. That will lead to another job, maybe in the same or a different company. A few years from now, with more maturity and self-understanding under your belt, along with more exposure to what you love and hate about work, and you then might say you want to go to grad school or some other bigger change that will draw you closer to what you might love. Probably few of us find the singular ‘life passion’ early on and ride out into the sunset…most of us happily hobble along, eventually getting to our dream destination and having a life just the same as they go. </p>

<p>(as an aside, don’t write off PhD just yet- get one in a business school, max 4-5 years and probably pays a stipend of 20-30k each year…lots of jobs afterwards, and fantastic flexibility and great pay AND you can reinvent your career many times over in terms of the facets- some balance of teach, research, write a book, do media, consult, go into administration- and you can choose whatever topic interests you and move on to new ones as you get bored).</p>

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<p>DO NOT GO INTO BUSINESS UNLESS YOU LIKE IT. </p>

<p>Pursue a science major if that is what you like and do well at- science grad students generally expect stipends/financial support. No matter what you do you can become bored with it after being competent for many years. Ah, the idealism of youth. Many of us were going to save the world, have meaningful jobs, not get stuck like our parents. Reality happened. Eventually we all need to settle down if we expect certain things in life- income security to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. Hopping from one interest to another but never getting deeply into understanding a field thoroughly and getting a good job in it doesn’t happen- there will always be those better at it than you are. </p>

<p>One field that may be the exception- the “jack of all trades and master of none” fitting your desire to move on to many different subjects, may be teaching children at the elementary/ middle school level. Teachers of children are required to know a bit about many subjects and to keep changing gears often. Need to teach math, science, social studies, reading… The material wealth may not be there but you do get the vacations. The catch is that you have to enjoy the work and do a good job- it takes talent to perceive the various needs and learning abilities/styles of a classroom full of children, and to generally like them every day. You can advance with a masters and eventually leave the classroom for administrative jobs if you tire of it and still want to be in the schools. Not for everyone. You may find HS teaching more your style- picking science, for example.</p>

<p>This fall go to your student counseling center. They should be able to administer aptitude and interest surveys to help you discover fields that are most compatible for you. Part of a college’s job. Currently people switch careers often, unlike past generations who got the job and stuck with it until retirement.</p>

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<p>Just major in something that you enjoy studying. It doesn’t have to be a “passion,” but should at least interest you. Your major does not have to dictate what you do in life.</p>

<p>I agree with the poster who said that your generation expects a lot of predictability and control in life. I think this is partly as a result of the constant questions from adults about what you are going to “do” and, even at a young age, students heard about “career choices”: our kids even did a computer program at school that told them their most likely careers, in 6th grade! This is also a result of financial hard times, perhaps, and the high cost of college.</p>

<p>The work world really does not fall into the easy categories that young people are led to think about. Try going on craigslist and look at the incredible variety of jobs. With a BA in anything, you can apply to many entry level positions.</p>

<p>I saw the term “wise wandering” recently. The idea was that people in their 20’s actually lose out on opportunities, by trying to define their paths too much, prematurely. Life really doesn’t work that way. It is more meandering and less “linear” (as the other poster put it). I know an actor who couldn’t find work, got a job in a department store, did displays, and ended up doing set design with those skills. Another person I know did fundraising for a non-profit, got a job fundraising for an historical renovation project, went back to school for an MA in history, and now works for a museum. Another person worked as a counselor for the homeless, then managed the kitchen and maintenance, then did the books, went back to school for an MBA and is a fiscal director in a non-profit. Etc.</p>

<p>Our family is like many others. My husband and I worked in non-profits, and we live frugally, but enjoy life. I have spent a lot of time raising kids, and career was not my primary focus for those years. So, another form of “wise wandering” is passing comfortably from one phase of your life to another. You may even find yourself, in your 40’s or 50’s, recreating a path all over again.</p>

<p>Try to stay flexible, and enjoy whatever you are doing in the present. I tell my kids the main thing is to stay on the path, meaning, keep on interacting with people, trying out opportunities that come your way, however random, and don’t retreat into solitude or inactivity out of indecision. Things will work out.</p>

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<p>Money and time. The age old problem. If I have the money for fancy vacations and golf, I don’t usually have the time. If I have lots of time, chances are I’m not flush with money for these things. </p>

<p>Keep to a modest lifestyle with less focus on things and more focus on experience. Drive an old car, live in a small abode in a low cost area. Enjoy things that are free like hiking or biking. If you like travel, keep it simple. You don’t need to stay in fancy places or eat out every night. If you keep your lifestyle modest, it opens up more choices in a career. Perhaps teaching. Or work in a non-profit with a purpose that fits your passions (which will develop over the years). </p>

<p>As others have said, in any field, you do have to start at the bottom and work your way up. That usually means routine (boring) work. But it gets better so you need to be patient and put in your time. Don’t base your assessments of a career on the work you do for an internship. That’s usually bottom of the barrel work. What do the bosses or more senior folks do…does it look interesting to you? </p>

<p>I’m not in the most exciting field, but over the years, the key to my happiness at work is the people I work with. If I like them, I’m happy. So it pays to seek out environments where you feel respected and appreciated. It goes a long way. </p>

<p>Work that you LOVE?? I know very few people who can say they LOVE their work. Those who like it and are secure financially are lucky…or made very wise choices along the way. Good luck to you…</p>

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<p>Don’t attempt to build a life on the goals of attaining happiness and/or safety, (or passion which is the new happiness). These goals are too transitory and dependent on outside circumstances. They are more like the weather - changeable, unpredictable. You can plan to have happiness and safety as often as you can but don’t lay the foundation of your life on this. Happiness and safety are quantitative goals.</p>

<p>Instead give yourself the goal of finding peace, joy, beauty, etc. As odd as it sounds, building a life on the foundation of something qualitative actually is much more solid - and the quantitative - happiness and safety (great vacations, golf, whatever) will more than likely follow. Forget the word passion, it is so overused and ephemeral - instead start asking yourself what brings you joy? peace? Follow that - it may lead you to a PhD or being top in a certain field, or it may bring a simpler life but equally as joyful to you. The dull times in front of computer (because mundane happens at times in all lives) will not seem bad because you will accept it as part of the whole process.</p>

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<p>“In a way, the OP is lucky because he/she is not cursed with a love of a pursuit that is highly competitive and usually poorly paid unless you hit the bigtime (i.e. the arts, academe, sports). People with strong passions often must pursue them to the detriment of economic security (they do it “for love”). If you are not driven by a passion to do something in particular, it can be easier to be content with pursuing a field that provides you with enough economic security to achieve specific life goals.”</p>

<p>And I thought I was the only guy who thought like that.</p>

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<p>I suggest you check out <a href=“http://roadtripnation.com/[/url]”>http://roadtripnation.com/&lt;/a&gt; Lots of kids there asking the same questions you are. They all had to identify people doing jobs they admired and then interview them as to how they got those jobs. Perhaps you can apply to do one of the roadtrips.</p>

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<p>I know a number of people who have started their own businesses that suit their interests – if yours are travel, golf, food, etc, think of ways to incorporate your “hobbies” into your life. You might create a concierge or travel company. Or start a business that puts you in touch with the things and people you admire. Or find ways to connect with organizations like the PGA or small organizations that inspire you.</p>

<p>I happen to know many people who love the arts. There are some who are not artists/actors/dancers/singers but happen to love the arts world. They chose to work in departments of arts organizations (fundraising, marketing, outreach, etc), or they organize large scale events for opera openings, book theater tours, even book celebrity photo shoots or TV appearances, etc. These are “behind the scenes” people with steady jobs surrounded by an environment that excites them. They also get perks of free tickets, meeting celebrities, etc. One friend travels to other cities to help install art exhibits. Not exactly a vacation, but she gets to explore some major international places, and get paid to do it. (And some of these are seasonal, so it’s a lot of work for much of the year, but then there’s a break between events to do stuff with family and friends.)</p>

<p>I also know people who love animals. One became a veterinarian who has enough flexibility to travel often, and others do such things as organize horse shows, run a dog grooming company, book animals onto TV shows, or are breeders. I’m not saying any of these are perfect jobs, but people have been able to find jobs that are not 8-6 desk jobs. And some of them are very busy certain times of year, but then might be very quiet at others. Not like the daily grind.</p>

<p>You might say you don’t have one “passion” but I bet there are things you enjoy more than others. Lean towards your interests, use your skills and education to get a good position that can pay enough to get started, and don’t worry about the rest of your life. It will come to you and may morph and evolve over time. At least you’ll have both fun and income along the way.</p>

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<p>“You don’t switch clients every week. You may spend years at the same client sometimes, shorter periods other times. I have spent from 3 months to 5 years at a given client (although I did different things over the 5 year period).”</p>

<p>thats IT consulting. Management consulting is different. In the few years I did it, I never was on a single client longer than a year, and 6 months or less was more common, and often I was working for more than one client in a given week. And that was as an Associate. Principal and partners would usually be on more engagements at once than that.</p>

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<p>“You will make the life you want with reflection, hard work, prioritizing and lots of living.”</p>

<p>Almost all of us don’t know how to avoid “hard work” to get the life we want. Indeed, setting goals and “reflection” may get you there.</p>

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<p>OP, good questions and good suggestions. At least at first, live frugally as suggested above, save and invest wisely, even if it means you are living with family or sharing a house with friends. It is not just the notion that frugal living will allow you to accept jobs that are more interesting, but less remunerative, but also that if you handle your finances well from the beginning, you may be able to achieve the independence and life style that you describe. I wish I had received this advice when I was your age. I have lived a largely frugal life and have a stable, relatively interesting (but not very remunerative) career. However, it came to me quite late that financial independence might have been doable had I handled my personal finances differently from the very beginning, even with a modest salary. We tend to think only-- get a well-paying job-- or-- do what you love–or-- if you are exceedingly lucky, both. Very few of us get the personal finance education to understand that if we save as much as possible and invest as safely/wisely as possible, especially at first when we have few if any obligations, we may well reach a point where we have built enough of a nest egg that the interest could be used to supply us with some of the extras we otherwise would be working 80 hours per week to get. In the meantime, the suggestion to look at what gives you joy and peace is very valid. A day of hiking locally can regenerate as much as a more expensive, distant vacation. Staying at hostels or going on a road trip can be a marvelous way to travel, yet less expensive. In other words, you do not have to be set with a marvelous, well-paying career immediately to have much of what you wish for in life. Even buying what you want may be feasible, but shop on clearance!</p>

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<p>As I watch D1 start her career, I think about this question often, and in turn reflect on my own life.</p>

<p>D1 does not enjoy simple life. She likes to travel, nice clothes, fine dining, and camping to her is staying at a Marriott. At the same time she is not adverse to hard work. She just finished her internship and was offered a permanent position at graduation. She worked 90+ hours per week this summer sometimes, but always very excited about her work. She is looking forward to her job. It’s going to offer her opportunity to work overseas and take on a lot of responsibilities at a very young age.</p>

<p>What her challenge will be is to find a balance in her life, and to realize that she couldn’t have it all. I went through a period of time when I thought I needed to have a great job, personal time, and be a great wife/mother. I felt a lot of guilt and was very unhappy. When I came to term with the fact that I couldn’t have it all, and I needed to prioritize what’s important to me, I felt much better. </p>

<p>I tell D1 to work hard and also to enjoy life, to have time to fall in love, to have kids, and have friends. It may mean taking a slower track at work sometimes, or have hired help for kids and house (but don’t feel guilty). I also tell D1 not to be afraid to change when it comes to career, and don’t do it just for money.</p>

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<p>Fundamental, what year are you in college? I am a senior this year, and I began with a passion for natural sciences, set on going to Medical School after graduation. However, as I took more of the required general curriculumm, I discovered that my passion isn’t in practicing medicine, like I had thought it was; it was actually in psychology.</p>

<p>Being undecided isn’t a bad thing; the general curriculum at most schools is aimed at helping students explore every course area and find that thing that they’re passionate about, even if it was something they never would have expected.</p>

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<p>Oldfort uses a key phrase, IMHO: prioritize what is important to you. Everyone is different. The cost of one person’s ideal lifestyle can be very different than the cost of another person’s ideal lifestyle.</p>

<p>I think that one has to find balance with how much and the type of work they value, but also a balance with what aspects of a lifestyle suit you best and how much it costs to have those aspects. Everyone makes sacrifices- at least at the outset. </p>

<p>With regards to that last point, I think of we come to really understand what we truly <em>personally value</em> enough to purchase as goods and experiences- rather than value what everyone else has and does- money can go a lot farther and give you freedom at a lower income level. It takes a level of self-awareness that many of us dont’ always have, but maybe you do. The point being, you do not have to live the conventional, stereotypical life to have financial freedom to do what you really want to do. </p>

<p>Just to illustrate with examples (that may not work for anyone): perhaps some people love a big house in the burbs by 30 but if you are one of the lucky ones, you might find renting a smaller house not in the burbs would work even better for you. Maybe all your friends have prestigious cars but you are comfortable with a used car one so that you can have more funds for travel. Maybe everyone you know took the entry level corporate job in the nearest big city- maybe you will decide to gain your work experience by going to a foreign country for a few years. And so on. </p>

<p>There is a very strong body of research showing that the best way to maximize joy with money is to buy experiences rather than goods. A lot of us get on the path that we know best from observation- it seems ‘right’, it seems safe and predictable. And in such cases we really might not step back and ask ourselves if that conventional path is the right one for us. We might not realize that their are thousands of crooked roads leading to an exciting and ideal life.</p>

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<p>A comment about golf. Around here golf is cheap- plenty of courses open to the public. Many golf leagues for nonphysician hospital staff.</p>

<p>Had a recent conversation with an old college friend whom I see only rarely (as in decades between visits). We both did well as chemistry majors with an interest in the biological as opposed to the math/physical aspects of chemistry, I opted for medical school, she for grad school. I occasionally wonder if I should have gone the research route (then I remember the tedium from college experiences). She ended up at a pharmaceutical company, hasn’t been a bench chemist in years (management now)- she said she sometimes wishes she had gone to medical school instead. Physicians also face tedium- once you’ve see/done something the first thousand times there is little novelty. Both of us had options back then and chose long training for our careers. Both of us are in our mid 50’s and wondering about the “road not taken”. You can’t do it all. A lot easier for someone with only a BA/BS to switch careers and start over in something requiring more schooling.</p>

<p>The above is just an example, not a complaint. Think of your life as a journey. Good preparation with a goal makes it easier but too much time spent planning/preparing shortens the time you have to enjoy the trip. Goals are good but flexibility to change the path is also needed.</p>

<p>More philosophy (I’m on a roll). Over the years you will hopefully continue to refine your idea of the good life. We can afford the Marriott (not a camper, either) but prefer the less expensive hotel chains. Time and money- never seem to have had both at once. Initial ideas of economic standard of living evolved as I became financially secure. Found the wealthy lifestyle I thought was what I wanted not true- didn’t need/want as much as I dreamed of having.</p>

<p>A lot of good advice in this thread.</p>

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<p>I would not recommend academic science research now if you want free time. My husband does cancer research. Funding levels for grants have shrunk incredibly - only the top 10% of grants are guaranteed funding. He is at the lab 9 hours a day and comes home to spend another 3 hours working on grants. He spends at least half his weekend hours working on grants or other paperwork.</p>

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<p>^ Is your husband an MD researcher, mathmom? If not, would an MD be helpful in his case in terms of getting grants? I assume he has a PhD then.</p>

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<p>Don’t assume your conclusions about the life of most of us and the careers many have are accurate - IMO they’re not. </p>

<p>Very few people just ‘stare at a computer screen’ all day long. Many are engaged in using a computer to perform their job functions and what may appear to be staring at the screen to an outsider is actually being quite engaged for the individual whether it’s in writing a program, evaluating an excel spreadsheet, composing a critical email, doing research, or something else.</p>

<p>Very few people work 80 hours per week at all and for those who occasionally do they don’t do it consistently. </p>

<p>Very few professionals (or anyone else) do the same thing for 40 years or even practice a profession in the same way for 40 years. Think back 40 years for a particular profession and consider if it was done the same way then as now. In addition, there are many more professions now that didn’t really exist 40 years ago. Regardless of where you get started you’ll likely not be doing the same thing in 40 years or even in 20 years. If you don’t like what you’re doing you can change your career by seeking different opportunities in the same company or elsewhere.</p>

<p>It’s not a big deal to be able to take vacations every year and pursue your outside interests but of course they need to be done within your means. It doesn’t cost much to do a 2 week National Park camping/hiking vacation for example. It can cost quite a bit to do a European or Tahiti vacation but this isn’t something most people do every year. If that’s what you want then you do modest vacations for some years and the expensive one every now and then. If you’re big into golf then figure out inexpensive ways to pursue that as well - like finding a 9 hole course for $5 at certain times or something. If you want to have adequate money for the above I suggest not rushing out to get the new BMW or other expensive car since that’ll suck up a huge amount of money. Just decide where you want to spend the money you have.</p>

<p>I don’t know what your internship experience was like but don’t assume that it repesents all business and all your options. A lot of interns are given fairly rote and more trivial tasks to perform. It’s not necessarily representative of what most of the people at the company are doing. You also don’t have to have a ‘passion’ for your career. IMO that word is overused on CC when it comes to selecting colleges, majors, and careers anyway - some people have a passion but plenty of people don’t and rather, have interests in a number of areas. Just try to understand the options out there your major will enable you to enter keeping in mind that for most professions there’s a wide variety of particular duties and work environments to choose from and for most majors there are multiple careers one could go into. Also keep in mind that people don’t usually do the same exact thing for 40 years but rather change what they do and how they do it every now and then and some completely change careers from time to time. You don’t need all the answers now.</p>

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<p>lake42ks, he has a PhD, but works at a med school. His research is with mice not people so I don’t think the lack of MD makes much difference. (Though the MDs do get paid more even if they are doing exactly the same research!) There are often MDs with him on the grants.</p>

<p>If you really like your vacations consider working in Europe. I loved my five years in Germany. Six weeks of paid vacation, time off for more official holidays than the US and the office was closed between Christmas and January 6th. In addition, great healthcare (with no paperwork for me!) and great maternity benefits.</p>

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<p>Thanks mathmom. I was wondering if a kid really wants to do research and gets paid well, if we should suggest him/her go get a PhD and an MD. I don’t know if anyone here knows what that route feels like.</p>