What does passion mean to you?
Passion is a word that is often used to describe a feeling of enthusiasm, interest, or love for something or someone. But what does it really mean to be passionate about something?
There is no definitive answer to these questions, as passion is a subjective and personal experience that can be different from person to person.
Since I made my jump into cybersecurity, I have to admit I love cybersecurity and everyday I’m glad I made the switch and at the same time I am glad I’m passionate about it, cause even though there are days where you might feel like the world is against you and nothing works as it should, you still have the motivation and curiosity to keep learning and improving your skills. Cybersecurity is not just a job for me, it’s a lifestyle and a challenge that I enjoy every day, and i guess it shows, i have had a lot of people ask me how I did it and what advice I have for them and the first thing that comes to mind is Are You Passionate About It ? cause career transitions are not easy, i think its one of the most bravest thing a person can do, I mean imagine trading the known for the unknown
So Why Do I Ask “Are You Passionate About It ? “
Passion is more than just liking something or being good at something, i mean repeat something 100 times and you can probably do it in your sleep, for me passion is that deep and enduring interest that motivates you to keep learning everyday, passion is what makes you wake up in the morning with enthusiasm and energy despite staying up all night with your grumpy toddler, and what keeps you going back even when things get hard, your even more motivated to simplify the complex , passion is what gives meaning and purpose to your work, and what makes you feel fulfilled and happy and you know without it, your life wouldn’t be as complete.
But how do you find your passion? And how do you make it the foundation of your career transition? Here are some of my thoughts on this:
- Reflect on your values, strengths, and interests. What are the things that matter most to you in life? What are your transferable skills and talents that you enjoy using, is it teaching ? speaking? working with data? What are the topics or issues that spark your curiosity and creativity? These are clues to your passion, and they can help guide you towards finding a career within cybersecurity or another sector.
- Freely explore different options and connect Don’t limit yourself to what you already know or what others expect from you. Be open-minded and curious about different fields and industries that might suit your passion even without you knowing . Do your research, talk to people who work in those areas, or try some online courses or workshops, or even ask ChatGTP, this part has to be done by you, cause only then will you discover new possibilities that excite you and match with who you are.
- Experiment and l keep learn. Finding your passion is not a one-time event, but a process of trial and error. You might have to try different things before you find what works for you. and yes this is the part i tell you don’t be afraid to fail or make mistakes, but use them as opportunities to learn and grow from it and something i learnt Seek feedback from others who can help you grow, such as mentors, coaches, or peers. And please don’t be to hard on yourself, celebrate your milestones along the way.
- Commit and persevere. one of my favorites’ quotes “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” —Oprah Winfrey once you find your passion, don’t let go of it. Make it your priority and invest time and energy into developing it, and please set realistic and specific goals for yourself cause their is no point in setting yourself for failure, I remember being newly certified and telling myself and my manager that I wanted to pass 6 certification a year, and when i didn’t achieve my goal i felt like a complete failure, forgetting to celebrate all the things i learnt and achieved in that year 😉, so create a plan to achieve but be kind to yourself regardless of the outcome.
- And remember when the going gets tough, don’t let your fire die out. You chose this path for a reason, and it makes you happy, so remember why you chose this path, and how it makes you feel. Keep your passion alive by constantly learning new things, seeking new experiences, and connecting with others who share it.
Making passion your foundation while transitioning into a new career can make a huge difference cause at the end of the day as humans, we want our work/life to mean something. We don’t want to spend our days doing tasks that don’t matter to us. We want to feel fulfilled, challenged and valued, I mean, we all have been there. Waking up for a job that causes dread and anxiety. Feeling like you have no choice but to drag yourself out of bed and face another day of misery, wondering if there is more to life than this endless cycle of work and stress. We want to use our skills and talents to make a positive impact. We want to work with people who share our vision and passion. We want our work life to be more than just a paycheck, but a source of joy and purpose.
So, yes make that career transition into cybersecurity or into tech, but all I ask, don’t just do it for the money or the status or the hype. Do it because you love it. Do it because you’re curious and passionate about how technology works and how it can make the world a better place. Do it because you want to learn new skills and challenge yourself every day. Do it because you want to be part of a community of like-minded people who share your vision and values.
There’s so much to discover and explore in the tech and cybersecurity field. It’s not just about coding or hacking or fixing bugs. It’s about creating solutions, innovating products, protecting data, empowering users, and making an impact. It’s about finding your niche, your specialty, your passion. And that’s what will make your career transition successful and fulfilling.
