Everyone has at least one question inside of them, but sometimes the road to the answer can be a bumpy one. Maybe it’s highly personal or something you’re afraid to say out loud, or just a certain question you can’t get off your mind. Whatever it is, Lola the latte logo is here to lend a helping hand (that is, if she had any, of course). This week, she delves into a couple of career questions you asked, and shares her advice on choosing your true professional passion.

There are so many careers and programs out there! If you have multiple passions, how did you decide which one to follow? Especially if you feel like there’s two that are tied (two careers) for what you’re most interested in?

– Newsette reader from Ontario, Canada 
First off, good for you for having more than one passion! Second off, good for you for being able to capitalize on more than one passion. Most professionals never get to do what they love as a job, so you are already one step ahead. In terms of breaking the tie, I can really only offer you some questions that may help you find that one passion is better suited for you. Question #1: Which will make you happier? Think about the hours you will be doing this (some people love taking photos, but the thought of doing it for 40 hours a week may sound exhausting). Does one of your passions sound better when you think about the actual hours you will be putting in? Question #2: Which profession has the most perks? Take into account the salary, vacation time, and work/life balance that each job offers, and compare the two. Does one drastically outweigh the other? Question #3: Which job would you be better at? This is probably the most important question of the three. You may love to do many things, but is there something you’re particularly amazing at? If so, do the world a favor and chase that professional path. And if you’re still at a tie, I suggest you find a coin.

What’s the best way to make a career change while I’m still early in my career?

– Newsette reader from Seattle, WA

Making a career change is never easy, but the most difficult and commendable part is actually having the courage to leave a reliable and familiar profession in favor of a new and foreign one (so bravo on getting this far!!). The very first step is to look inward, and ask yourself why you want to make a change. Is it the hours? The workload? The work itself? The answers to these questions will give you guidelines for the new profession you’d like to enter. For instance, if you don’t thrive in a numbers-focused role, then maybe look into a more creative industry.
Once you’ve figured out a few characteristics you’d like your new career to have, it’s time to land the job. First, I recommend making a list of three professions, with exact job titles if you know them. Then, take a look at your resume and pull out any experience, skills, or expertise that could lend itself well to those roles. Since you are in the beginning of your professional journey, being able to leverage your own unique and impressive qualities is key when you don’t have a ton of work experience to lean on. Then, build a story around why you believe you could be a great asset to the company, keeping in mind that they may ask about your lack of experience in the new industry you’re trying to enter. As long as you go into the interview with an honest, polished, and compelling answer, you’ll make the interviewer’s doubts disappear.
Have a question you want to ask Lola? She weighs in on everything from career Q’s to relationship woes. Ask anonymously here.