Are you a school leaver or recent graduate wondering what your next move should be? If so, you’ve probably heard this phrase over and over again.

‘Follow your passion’.

But how exactly do you find what you are passionate about?

Some people know exactly what their passion is and what they want their future to look like. For others, that advice is more confusing than it is helpful.

For this reason, we’ve devised a 4-step plan to help you work towards finding your passion.

Step 1: Reflect

Sit in a quiet place where you won’t be distracted and think about the things you enjoy doing and the things you know you’re good at.

These things can be big and small. It might be that you care about the environment, you’re good with numbers or you enjoy helping people.

Then you might think about what sort of jobs those things could lead to.

You could become a conservationist, an accountant or a nurse.

Then you can start to think about the types of things you want from the workplace. Maybe you want to work outdoors, or in an office or hospital.

Step 2: Consider your options

Once you’ve got a few ideas in mind you should do a little more research.

What sort of growth opportunities are there? Will you earn a good wage? Will you have to work in a certain region away from your home town?

Once you’ve found out more about these types of careers it might make it a little clearer and you might be able to cancel out ideas you aren’t too sure about any more and concentrate on the ones you are.

Step 3: Talk to family and friends

Those closest to you probably know you as well as you know yourself. So don’t be afraid to ask your friends, family and teachers for their opinions.

They might be able to help you identify strengths and skills you weren’t even aware of.

They might even be able to put you in touch with a mentor or a junior job role within an industry you are interested in.

Step 4: Trial and error

At this point, you should have a better idea of careers you are passionate about and how you could potentially reach those careers.

Before you fully commit to one chosen career, don’t be afraid to trial what this newfound passion entails.

You might try and secure an internship, work experience, volunteering or even a casual job.

Hopefully, after a few weeks or months you will have a better idea of what you want your future to look like, and the path you need to take to get there.

Find out more information for school leavers and graduates at CareersEvent.