Blending your passions and your career

Many of us have heard the saying “do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.”  And some of the most rewarding jobs out there are the ones where you combine your passions, hobbies and interests with your career path. Here are some ideas on how to make that happen. 

Sports

If you love the game but did not become a pro athlete in your preferred sport, there are several ways you can be more than just an armchair quarterback! These are just a few potential sports-centered careers.

• Sports fans with a dual interest in medicine can focus your studies on sports medicine.
• Someone who is organized and has a mind for statistics and figures may be able to work in media. You might be able to become a reporter in traditional media or for a Web site that needs statistics and game-related content.
• If you have a major sports team near you, you might be able to work for them in an administrative capacity. Teams need administrative staff as well as marketing assistants who can help manage promotional items and advertising.
• If you are a sports aficionado with a mind for business or management skills, you could become involved with the management team of a sports franchise or represent a player as a business agent.

Music

Even if your singing skills would get you thrown out of an “American Idol” audition, there are still a number of jobs available for music fans, as well as singers and musicians.

• As in sports, marketing and public relations jobs are often available for a particular artist or the project they are working on.
• Music fans can work as part of the crew in music venues, or can become a “roadie” for a band on tour.
• Workers with management skills or a mechanical background can become part of the facilities management team at a music venue.
• If you have artistic skills, you could become a graphic designer and focus on creating cover art for an album or posters and promotional material for a tour.

Acting

Although New York and Los Angeles remain central hubs for film and television, many shows and feature films are being made across the country. There are also professional theaters across the country; these theaters hire actors for many of their productions. Even if you are not working as an actor, there are several other options.

• Workers with experience in hospitality can provide food and lodging for actors and crew.
• Many films and television shows need actors to work as “extras.” Actors can supplement their full-time income with extra work and use the gig as an opportunity to networking with other actors, directors and producers.
• If you have experience in event management, law, politics or marketing, you can become part of the local office or bureau that works to attract productions to your region. These groups work with local officials to coordinate access to filming locations, and will also work to create the financial agreement that would bring the production to town.

Other passions 

• If you have an interest in philanthropy or social change, consider working in an administrative role at a non-profit organization.
• Avid readers should consider working as a researcher or research writer, librarian or even a book reviewer.
• News junkies can pursue their interest by working in media. Although traditional media is changing, there are still jobs for anchors and reporters as well as researchers. You can also work as a blogger. And political news junkies can work as media researchers in political campaigns.
• If you love to write, and are on a corporate career path, consider finding a position that allows you to do a lot of research and writing. Positions as an administrative assistant, legal assistant or marketing may fit this category. These jobs may include opportunities to write correspondence, summarize research, and craft written procedures for your department or for your company.
• If you have a soft spot for animals, there are many options to merge that passion with your career. You can work for a veterinarian or be a staff member at an animal rescue shelter. You could also work at a zoo or as a pet groomer.

We have a few tools that will help you research these jobs. In addition to CareerBuilder.com, you can go to CBSalary.com for an estimate on what you will earn. Check our CBInstitute.com for information about enhancing your current skills. Or if you need training for a new field, take a look at DegreeDriven.com, which can help you decide on a college or university.