Why Centering Passion in Your Career Decisions Doesn't Always Work

Everyday Better is LinkedIn News’ weekly personal development podcast and weekly newsletter hosted by Leah Smart, a LinkedIn News Editor . You’ll hear from some of the world's brightest minds and bravest hearts who use science and story to share strategies for how we can flourish individually, in relationship to others and to the world around us. We talk about improving emotional, work, physical and relational health. Subscribe to the show's newsletter for weekly evidence-backed strategies to make your life better, one day at a time.

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"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Most people have asked or been the recipient of this question. It's one that's asked multiple times through childhood. The response can feel hopeful and inspiring for both children and adults. Of course we don't all grow up to be astronauts or veterinarians, but at some point the idea that we could starts to instill our participation in a specific version of the American dream.

While a question like this might seem benign, sociologist and director of undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, Erin Cech , says it is peculiar. Not only does it assume that life from childhood to adulthood is linear, it implies a very narrow view of the American dream in which each person's participation in the labor force is tied directly to their sense of identity.

After casually asking college students what they wanted to do after graduation, Erin realized that this question, which started when students were still figuring out if they were right or left-handed, had hooked them into what she calls the "passion principle"—the idea that career decisions should primarily be guided by self-expression and personal fulfillment.

Erin's book, "The Trouble with Passion: How Searching for Fulfillment at Work Fosters Inequality ", challenges us to rethink this commitment. In it, she argues that while pursuing our dreams is valuable, we must critically examine how factors like our social identity—our socioeconomic status, background, gender, race, etc.—influence our experiences and opportunities in the pursuit of meaningful work. She also shows that even when social factors seem to be in our favor, there are still prevalent challenges with centering passion alone.

As someone with a history of using the passion principle as my career guide, I was intrigued by Erin's research and perspective. She's highlighting blind spots in the sometimes inflexible way we encourage others to chase their dreams. While our conversation didn't convince me to dump passion as a worthy pursuit (and that's not Erin's intention), it did widen my lens on how to guide people looking to pursue a passion. Ultimately, she's asking us to examine how to make the passion principle an option instead of a given.

When it comes to making career decisions—no matter where you are in your career—Erin encourages each of us to answer this question: What kind of relationship do I want to have with paid employment? This question may seem simple, but it challenges the deeply ingrained belief that there is a universally correct way to pursue one's career.

Erin argues that the commonly assumed "right way," which prioritizes pursuing passion at any cost, may succeed in certain cases but fails to account for the complexities of individual lives, career stages, and the realities of the job market. Because of this, she suggests revisiting this question multiple times throughout one's career.

When you are ready to answer this question, allocate some alone time and allow yourself the freedom to respond without immediate pressure for a clear answer. Begin with whatever thoughts come to mind initially. After a few days, return to the question and use your evolving response to articulate clearly what you are currently prioritizing.

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Book: "The Trouble with Passion: How Searching for Fulfillment at Work Fosters Inequality" by Erin Cech

Study: "Unsettled Employment, Reshuffled Priorities? Career Prioritization among College-Educated Workers Facing Employment Instability during Covid-19"

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Everyday Better is LinkedIn News’ weekly personal development podcast hosted by Leah Smart , a LinkedIn News Editor. You’ll hear from some of the worlds brightest minds and bravest hearts about how to live with more clarity and intention every day, in and out of work. Subscribe to the show's newsletter .

Can we ask you for a favor? If you love the work we're doing, will you take 30 seconds follow our show and leave us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? It helps other listeners like you find our show and get the same value out of our work that you've gotten. Thank you!