Guest commentator: MaryKate McLaughlin, Dean’s Office Coordinator, Penn Dental Medicine

Let’s face it, most of us are not working our dream jobs. Sometimes, there is so much societal pressure to “pursue your passion,” but realistically, we recognize that pursuing our passion as a career may not pay the bills. However, there are steps you can take outside of work to pursue your passion and develop your workplace skills. One of my passions is creative writing. My ability to write creatively is limited in my current job, so I’ve found other ways to exercise that muscle. Whatever your passion, there are many ways to find outlets for it if your day job does not align with it.

Volunteer

Volunteering your time is not only a great way to make a difference, but it strengthens your skills. VolunteerMatch.org is a great resource for finding organizations that need virtual and in-person help. It also allows you to narrow organizations by cause and location, especially helpful if you are passionate about a cause or want to help in your community. Are you a DIY guru who loves crafting? Organizations are looking for volunteers to help with workshops. Or maybe your Instagram account is your pride and joy, and you want to share your expertise with the world. You could run a non-profit social media account to give back and flourish your social media prowess. Not only are you giving back, but you are also adding to your marketability and skill set as an employee. You can give back and strengthen skills to add to your resume.

Join a Facebook Group

Facebook may be the platform you only use to update your extended family on the happenings in your life, but groups are a fun way to connect with people over a shared interest. Whether meeting up with a run group in person or joining a book club to pursue your love of reading, groups make it so easy to connect with people. You can end up meeting people you never would have connected with otherwise and have a place to share your interests with others.

Sign Up For a Newsletter or Online Workshop

Recently, I was looking for online workshops to strengthen my writing skills. After attending a virtual workshop and signing up for the network’s newsletter, I answered a member’s request in the newsletter to find a peer editor to review each other’s works. I connected with two other writers via Zoom, and now we have a writing group where we provide feedback and tips on each other’s works. Not only can I connect with other writers through this, but it gives me a sense of accountability in prioritizing creative writing in my free time. There’s a plethora of online newsletters you can sign up for that have opportunities for engagement.