3 tips to finding your meaningful career
Are you someone who “works to live” and has no passion for that work? Do you get out of bed dreading the day, or excited to get it started? According to a study by Gallup, only 18% of people surveyed described their current job as one that has a purpose they personally believe in, and yet, doing work that feels meaningful has been found to lessen burnout and increase engagement.1
Try these approaches to finding a match between your talents, your interests, and your career:
Decide for yourself what “meaningful" means. If you're considering a career change or trying to identify your initial career path, it's important to think about the values and interests that ignite passion for you. Take the time to consider what makes you happy both at and away from work. Our hobbies and “fun skills” in many cases, can be turned into a career: but first we need to know what would make us happy day in and day out for years to come.
Think about your work style. Are you more of a social worker who wants to have a hands-on impact on others? Or do you like the idea of work that has a subtle impact either on yourself or your community. Meaningful work does not necessarily mean entering a “service” industry. In fact, according to the Indeed.com list of the 20 happiest jobs, only 1 of top 10 were in the traditional “caring professions”. The other 8 encompassed professions like contractors, marketing consultants, and engineering technicians.2
Create your own career. As described in the American Psychological Association’s research on workplace trends, employees can weave their own values and interests into their work to keep them more engaged.3 Crafting a career as an entrepreneur can allow you control over what matters most to you personally. Make a solid plan before taking the leap. Once you have figured out where you want your career to lead, make a well-thought-out plan on how to accomplish the switch. Utilize sites such as LinkedIn to network and make contacts who may be able to help you in your job search or provide advice. Be sure you are financially confident by having a robust savings account and minimal debt before handing in your resignation. Following your passion to a fulfilling career is a wonderful feeling; however, it is a change that must be undertaken thoughtfully and with purpose.
If you're looking for job satisfaction outside of your paycheck, open your mind to your options for finding a career that can provide you with a sense of purpose and is aligned with your values as well as skills and talents.