Passion. What is it really for? Should your passion shape your future career or be kept in your back pocket?

When preparing for your future career, you know one thing: that you want to love and enjoy the job. While growing up, you saw time and time again your parents, grandparents or other authority figures complaining or feeling dissatisfied with their career. That being a draining 9 to 5 or cubical desk job. 

Passion became the new priority. For the first time, Gen Z, including myself, began to fear for their futures. Questioning whether traditional career paths would bring fulfillment. Now more than ever, we wanted to build careers in fields that truly sparked joy and aligned with our interests. Hoping to never live how past generations have.

With the break of influencers on social media and negative connotation around those everyday jobs, majors like social media marketing and even fashion surged in popularity as people recognized the importance of pursuing work that would genuinely be exciting. Slowly, it became clear that having a career fueled by purpose and drive was no longer a luxury but a necessity for long-term happiness and success. 

Going into college, I took what I knew: I loved absolutely nothing about homework and everything about fashion. Therefore, Kent State University stood out to me intently. Ranked as the second-top school for fashion design and merchandising in the Midwest, it felt like the perfect place to turn my passion into a real career. For the first time, college didn’t feel like the wrong fit—maybe I could actually find a job I’d love. 

I took an interest in the ability to express yourself through clothing at a young age. I loved every class that had to do with sewing and was hands-on. I had never been so excited for my future until this moment. But then, that all changed when I was faced with the harsh words of reality. 

At the beginning of this past year, I recently decided to make that hard decision. Changing your major can be incredibly terrifying and even heartbreaking. Especially when you think you’ve found the path to your dream career. But here’s the truth—sometimes we ignore the bigger picture. And let’s be honest, the money matters. 

Passion was out and practically was back in…

Income has become so important these days. From everyday shopping to rent, insurance and mobile networks skyrocketing in price, there are increases on prices on all ends. The future for Gen Z’s living situations and survival is diminishing before their eyes. 

I knew with design my income may be limited, but the more I looked into the average rate, I realized I would be competing every day just to get by. This is not me saying that design is not the path for you; however, for me, I knew I needed a little more stability. 

I was then presented with the idea of fashion merchandising or social media marketing for fashion, which broadened the range of opportunities. This meant learning about the business and logistical side of the industry while having more stable places to start. 

So all in all, should your passion shape your future career or be kept in your back pocket? Well,  neither. Passion and practicality can coincide with your future career. Though there is nothing wrong with a few stepping stones to get there. Let your passions guide your journey without needing to be the sole focus of your path.

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Hi! I’m Kayla Friedman, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.