Are You Really Passionate About The Career You Are Pursuing? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Are You Really Passionate About The Career You Are Pursuing?

For everybody -- especially college students.

11
Are You Really Passionate About The Career You Are Pursuing?
Reddit.com

If you want to be something, then act like it. You can't just half ass it. This goes for everybody, but I know this can especially be useful for my fellow undergraduate college students. If you're a post grad and you're not fully committed to what you're studying, then I don't know what the f!@# you're doing.

Let me elaborate what I mean when I say, "act like it." In order to act like it, you have to be fully committed. This means doing everything that a professional would do. For example, if you are studying computer science, you need to read up on current news in the computer science world. Not only that, but study things that have to do with computer science that you didn't learn in the class room and constantly study what you learned in the classroom. Hell, practice coding programs too, if you have time. I guess this all goes back to passion. The only way you're going to be great at something in the long run, is if you're passionate about it. In addition, the only way you're going to be committed to taking the efforts to be great, is if you're passionate about it as well.

I want to give some background about my situation. My situation actually made me realize the advice that I'm providing in this article. I used to be a computer science major my freshman year. I literally had no clue what computer science was; I didn't even know what coding was. I just chose the major, honestly, because it was on the list of the highest paying majors of 2014 in Forbes Magazine. I was also good at math and technical related work, so I figured that would also help. I went through a year of it, and I struggled in the actual computer science classes; I still maintained an average of a B between the two classes I took, though (B+ first semester and C+ semester). I was doing amazing in all of my other classes, though. I probably would have had a 4.0 my freshman year if it wasn't for those two computer science classes. By the way, a 4.0 isn't necessary, you can still be successful without it, I'm just adding to the story.

Anyway, once summer came (between freshman and sophomore year), I did some serious soul searching in deciding if I really wanted to pursue a computer science degree. I somehow ended up speaking with people who knew about and/or studied computer science. They all either seemed very passionate about computer science (while I was dreading the next semester of computer science classes coming up) and they told me that I needed to be prepared to code for hours a day while talking to nobody once I actually start working in the real world as a "computer scientist." Obviously, the "coding for hours" part made me decide to switch my major (I am a social person). I realized I had no passion for it, and that I should switch my major to something I am truly passionate about that can also make me money (because at the end of the day, I don't come from a rich family and therefore don't have the luxury of only focusing on what I'm passionate about; I need to find a balance).

I decided to switch to finance and marketing. By the way, this article is getting kind of long and I don't want to bore any of you to death, so I'm just going to skip a few parts. Anyway, I chose finance/marketing because it was the perfect mix of me being a sociable, people person and a technical math person. Also, as I took more classes, I gained a passion for politics and economics; finance fit very well into this passion, too, for many reasons. Anyway, that's not the point. Let me continue...

It wasn't until recently that I realized in order to be the best at what I am studying -- or what anybody is studying, for that matter -- I must do what professionals do. With finance, this consists of reading different articles daily from the Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Fortune Magazine, etc., and constantly memorizing my notes from class (even though I'm on summer break), looking at different definitions, terms, methods, etc., in finance and practicing trading. I have been doing this, as of recently, and it is not only helping my understanding of finance, but also increasing my passion for it. I plan to continue this habit.

Anyway, I just want you all to think: Do you ever find yourself studying and looking at information, or even just thinking about studying and looking at information related to the kind of career you want to pursue, or the major you are studying? If you answered no, then you either need to switch your priorities and focus, switch the major and career you're pursuing or you are just plain lazy and need to switch your lifestyle.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

181792
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

8630
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453474
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23902
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments