Between battling on Just Dance to fingerpainting, individuals find their passions. Originally, it may have presented itself as a hobby, but eventually, it might have grown into something more. The passions one develops can help unveil strengths and career paths.
Senior Elena Miyamoto, uncovered her passion for the violin early on and has been pursuing it for over a decade.
“I started when I was seven. [This is] my 11th year of playing,” Miyamoto said.
She explained that as she grew her passion, many opportunities surfaced that gave her the chance to improve, but also required her to stretch beyond her safety zone.
“The process of auditioning was [terrifying]. You see better people and [your seat is determined by] how good you are. [Often], I sat in the back and honestly, it sucked. [Playing] in front of adults as a fifth grader was scary. You don’t know what [they’re] thinking. They look intimidating,” Miyamoto said.
As she continued, she realized that growth would only happen if she put herself through the vulnerability of new situations where she could fail.
“I learned not to take [it too] seriously. By doing more outside your comfort zone, I feel you gain momentum of ‘oh I can do this and even if it doesn’t work, you [can] take it lightly.’ [There’s] no harm in trying. [You’re] going to gain something. [I’ve learned not to] limit yourself to what you think [you’re] capable of. If [you want to try something] but don’t think [you’re] capable, challenge that belief,” Miyamoto said.
This mindset inspired her to take on a variety of opportunities that led her to develop the desire to help aspiring violinists.
“I learned that I was good at teaching. I thought I wouldn’t enjoy it but after trying, I feel more passionate about teaching. If I hadn’t taken the initiative to go outside my comfort zone, I [wouldn’t] have discovered that,” Miyamoto said.
Similarly, junior Hana Ali strengthened her sense of self through her passions. Passionate about the arts, public speaking and social justice, she often found herself in situations where her passions required her to go beyond her bubble.
“[I’ve] always been an overthinker. By putting myself out there, I had to directly challenge that and I’ve been able to recognize my abilities beyond what my irrational thoughts [say],” Ali said.
Looking ahead, she shares how her passions have helped mold her future goals.
“I want to pursue a career in civil rights and/or international justice and possibly become a lawyer in those fields. Exploring my passions has inspired me to pursue this.” Ali said.
For senior Nyah Terry, her passion takes shape through helping people, although she’s had to learn when to step back.
“Helping people is difficult when the person you want to help isn’t open to it. Sometimes the best way to help is by taking a step back and understanding their boundaries,” Terry said.
As her high school journey closes, she reflects on how her passion has helped her decide what career to pursue.
“I found that my knack for helping people led me wanting to work behind the scenes. [That’s] what attracts me to neuroscience,” Terry said.
All in all, passions can serve us beyond the spark they bring into us; they quietly shape our futures that wait ahead.
