Anyone who has ever done a google search about careers has inevitably come across the phrase “just follow your passion” which is almost no help whatsoever. I was interested in learning about engineering topics in college, but I certainly would not consider myself passionate about beam deflection theory or bolted joint calculations. For some time, I wondered if I was missing something. Shouldn’t I be studying a topic I’m passionate about?

It took a couple years of working at JPL to realize that, although I’m interested in engineering topics, what I really care about is the exploration of Earth and space. Engineering was just the skillset I acquired (one of many possible interests) that allows me to contribute to a particular field that has a lot of importance to me.

Some people might say that I found my Passion with a capital P, but I really don’t like that word. It implies you have found the One Thing that you will build your life around. I don’t like thinking of my potential career path like that. Perhaps I’m Passionate about exploration now but people change. Interests evolve and what I care about today might be entirely different in 20 years and I’m ok with that. I wish we could come up with better advice than just telling people to follow their passion.