Finding your Passion and Career Path

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Resources for Teens and Young Adults

Finding your passion is one step in the process of planning for your career. As we grow up, we may be exposed to a variety of careers through the adults in our lives. However, we may only see a small slice of the variety of careers available to us. We may not really consider that there may be a career that will fulfill our passion or commitment to something. That is why the first step in exploring career paths is to develop self-knowledge.

Self-Knowledge means understanding the abilities, interests, values, personal characteristics, and experiences that can inform your career choices. Think about the following as you assess what you know about yourself when you take your first step in exploring careers:

Abilities. Every individual has unique abilities. Sometimes we do not recognize our own abilities. We all benefit from someone saying, “Hey, you are really good at that!” Ask yourself and others in your life “What am I good at?” Another way to uncover your abilities and skills is to take individualized assessments.

Interests. Think about the activities that you like to do and consider your skills and talents. Then, set goals toward a career that utilizes those interests, skills, and talents. Your interests can translate into a rewarding career. Consider taking an interest inventory or assessment to further uncover things that you enjoy.

Values. We all have values that help us navigate our lives. This includes navigating the world of work. Do you value giving back to your community? Do you value creativity? There are many questions to ask yourself. Your deeply held values can direct you towards rewarding careers.

Personal characteristics. Are you someone that feels connected to the outdoors? Do your friends come to you for advice? Are you outgoing? Are you highly independent? Do you enjoy time alone? Do you enjoy helping others? Do you love being creative? There are so many questions to ask of yourself to gain self-knowledge and increase your chances of finding a career that fits who you are.

Experiences. Your experiences can shape who you are but can also be a valuable springboard toward a career you are passionate about. Don’t forget to explore these experiences as you forge ahead toward a rewarding career.

Career assessments can be a helpful tool in the process of developing your self-knowledge so that you can be matched to a career path. One such resource is New York State CareerZone. This resource can help you to explore careers related to your strengths, skills and talents.

CareerZone is a website from the New York State Department of Labor designed for young people. On this website you can do things like “Assess Yourself”, “View Occupations”, and find out about the skills and education required for the careers you are interested in. There are various career categories outlined on this website: Arts and Humanities; Business and Information Systems; Engineering and Technology; Health Services; Natural and Environmental Sciences; and Human and Public Services.

This website provides information about how much education and training is needed when you see an occupation that meets your interests. This includes a career’s future outlook, such as how much money one can expect to earn in that occupation.

For individuals supporting youth in their career exploration journey, reach out to the Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) in your region and check out these PDP trainings for more information, career exploration resources, and support:
Preparing Youth for Employment