There’s one thing that matters most to American men, and it isn’t their health and the relationships they share with their loved ones. It’s their satisfaction at work. According to the results of a 2018 study, American men are happiest in life if they’re satisfied with their jobs — and they’re more likely to feel emotionally stable, confident, and motivated. Some of the determining factors that contribute to male satisfaction in the workplace include utilizing their talents, interacting with co-workers, and working with an inspiring group of people, and having passion for their job.
If you’re unhappy at work, you may find that it’s interfering with the rest of your life — including your health and personal relationships. As Natalie Walters of Business Insider points out, job dissatisfaction can take a heavy toll on your life — even contributing to physical and mental concerns like depression and anxiety.
With all this in mind, it may be time for a career change if you feel that your unhappiness at work affects your personal life and holds you back from reaching your full potential. And for some, this could mean pursuing a passion — whether it’s art, technology, writing, teaching, or any other areas of interest. Summing up, one can up skill by enrolling in some online certifications. For example, it’s easy to learn Digital Marketing course completely through online mode offered by reputed Institutes.
The Aspiring Gentleman shares five tips for turning your passion into a profitable and fulfilling career in the sections below. Read on and start leading the life you want to live!
Step 1: Find Your Passion
Turning a passion into profit takes some serious self-reflection. Not only do you need to discover your passion, but it’s important to find one that can be turned into a fulfilling career. Some career passions include photography, social causes, writing, cooking, graphic design, health and fitness, and gardening.
As a rule, the passion you pursue should be:
- Something you enjoy and are good at.
- A topic you like talking about and/or teaching others.
- A good fit for your skills, strengths, and personality.
- In high demand.
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Step 2: Choose a Career Path
After finding your passion, your next step is to choose a profitable career path. Money may not be the most important factor in choosing a new career, but chances are, you’ll still need to earn a living. As such, the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a great starting point when exploring career paths.
Moreover, it’s a good idea to use websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and CareerBuilder to browse job titles, average salaries, employee reviews, and job descriptions — and look up the skills and qualifications you’ll need to pursue those types of careers. It’s also important to think about whether you’d prefer to start your own business or pursue a career at an existing company or organization.
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Step 3: Make a Plan
Now that you’ve chosen a career path, it’s time to start planning the different steps you’ll need to take to turn your passion into a profitable profession. In most cases, your plan will depend on your passion, chosen career path, and existing skills and qualifications.
Suppose your goal is to start your own company or pursue a business career, for instance. In that case, your plan will likely include working toward a college degree — with some additional learning opportunities on the side. Or, if your goal is to pursue a career in social activism, your plan may include volunteering in the community — or even joining a nonprofit board of directors.
Typically, career plans should include the following:
- The education requirements you’ll need to meet
- The career skills and qualifications you’ll need to achieve your goals
- The funding you’ll need to pursue your passion (e.g., student loans, small business grants, and/or business loans)
Step 4: Learn as Much as Possible
Once you’ve made your career plan, it’ll be time to work toward your goals! And if you’re going back to school, it’s easy to connect with flexible online degree programs in business, health, information technology, and teaching.
One of these accredited degree programs from WGU, for example, includes a Master of Business Administration (MBA), where you’ll gain business knowledge, learn leadership skills, build self-awareness, and develop your business strategy. Other WGU degree programs include a bachelor’s in IT management or elementary education and a master of health leadership.
Or, depending on your chosen career path, you may need to obtain one or more professional certifications. You can obtain professional certifications in computer networking, cosmetology, skilled trades, project management, accounting, sales, and many other areas.
If you’re pursuing a career path that doesn’t require a college education or formal degree, it’s still important to learn as much as possible about your chosen field. You could use online learning platforms like Coursera, Skillshare, and Udemy or read books and magazines covering topics in your field. You could also volunteer in your community, apply for an internship, or do free or discounted work to gain some experience.
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Step 5: Pursue Your Passion
After completing the four steps above, you’ll be ready to pursue your passion! And whether you’ll be applying for jobs or starting your own business, online resources can help you achieve your career goals and connect with other people in your industry.
To find available jobs in your desired area, check out websites like Monster, Indeed, Glassdoor, FlexJobs, and LinkedIn. Or, if you’re launching a business, you may wish to join professional organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), and the National Association of Entrepreneurship (NAE). The Small Business Administration (SBA) is another great resource for getting a new business up and running.
The transition into your new career won’t be easy, and you can expect to run into some roadblocks as you work toward your goals. However, it’ll be worth it in the end — so stick with it and keep your eyes on the prize. Your happiness at home, work, and in life depends on it!
Looking for business and career advice or articles on travel, entertainment, and tech? Follow The Aspiring Gentleman, a Miami Beach-based lifestyle blog for men. [email protected]
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