Finding Opportunities to Grow Through Anything

Opportunities to build skills and grow your passions can come from the most unexpected places—even a middle school hobby. When I was younger, I loved creating YouTube videos. What started as a fun pastime turned into a foundation for the career I’m building today.  

Hobbies Turn Into Passions

Filming, editing, and sharing my content taught me how to craft stories and engage with an audience. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was learning valuable communication and technical skills. Over time, my passion for creating and connecting with others grew, and I started thinking about how I could apply those skills in a bigger way.  

Passions Turn Into Careers

That’s how I found public relations. I realized that the creativity, storytelling, and relationship-building I enjoyed could be turned into a career. I decided to pursue PR as my major, and each opportunity I’ve taken on—whether it’s writing for a student magazine, working on social media campaigns, or collaborating on marketing strategies—has helped me build on the skills I first started developing as a kid on YouTube.  

The key to growth is to recognize that every hobby, project, or side hustle can teach you something. Look at what you love to do and think about the skills you’re practicing along the way. Are you learning how to communicate, manage time, or solve problems? Those are all experiences you can use to build your future.  

You don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Start with what excites you, be open to new opportunities, and keep building. You might be surprised where your passions take you.

Link: https://www.ashg.org/publications-news/trainee-newsletter/how-hobbies-and-skills-contribute-to-your-career-and-transitions/