One of the questions I’m most often asked by students is simple:
“How do I find work that I actually enjoy?”
It’s an important question because you will spend more time working than almost any other activity in your life. Choosing work that fits who you are can influence not only your career, but also your health, relationships, and overall happiness.
My definition of meaningful and joyful work is simple:
Doing what you love for most of the day and for most of your life.
Of course, very few people begin their careers there.
Most of us accept our first jobs because we need experience, income, or an opportunity to get started. That’s perfectly normal. But as your career develops, your goal should become finding work that better aligns with your abilities, interests, and values.
Start Where Your Strengths and Interests Meet
One of the best places to begin is by asking two questions:
- What am I naturally good at?
- What kinds of work genuinely interest me?
Where those two answers overlap is often where meaningful work begins.
You don’t have to find the perfect career overnight. Instead, continue looking for opportunities that allow you to use your strengths while working on problems you care about solving.
Build a Career That Travels With You
Many people build careers around job titles.
I encourage you to build your career around the value you create.
A helpful exercise is to finish this sentence:
I help ______ achieve ______ by ______.
This simple statement becomes your personal brand. It can guide your resume, LinkedIn profile, interviews, and future career decisions.
Your title may change many times throughout your life.
The value you create can remain remarkably consistent.
Create Proof, Not Promises
Today’s employers increasingly want evidence of what you can do.
Don’t simply tell people you are a leader.
Lead something.
Don’t say you’re creative.
Build something.
Complete projects, volunteer, write, present ideas, solve problems, and continue learning. Every experience becomes another piece of evidence that demonstrates your abilities.
Learn to Work Alongside AI
Artificial intelligence is changing nearly every profession.
Rather than fearing AI, learn to work with it.
Use AI to research ideas, organize information, brainstorm solutions, and improve your thinking. At the same time, continue developing the qualities that remain deeply human: judgment, ethics, empathy, curiosity, communication, and creativity.
The future belongs to people who combine technology with humanity.
Ask for What You Want
One lesson I’ve learned throughout my own career is surprisingly simple.
Ask for what you want.
Don’t assume someone else will design your ideal career for you.
Take responsibility for discovering what matters most to you. Ask questions. Explore opportunities. Take thoughtful risks. Continue adjusting your path as you learn more about yourself.
Meaningful careers are rarely discovered by accident.
They are built through intentional choices made over time.
Take One Small Step
Finding meaningful and joyful work doesn’t require changing your entire life today.
It begins with one small step.
Talk to someone working in a field that interests you.
Start a small project.
Volunteer.
Learn a new skill.
Reflect on what gives you energy.
Each small step teaches you something about yourself.
Over time, those small discoveries become the foundation for a career that is both meaningful and joyful.
As you begin your own journey, remember this:
Your career isn’t simply about finding a job. It’s about discovering how you can make your greatest contribution while becoming the person you hope to be.
I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.
Warm regards,
Dr. Craig Nathanson