Passion is a powerful thing. It can become a lucrative career or a wonderful hobby that improves your mental health. But not everyone has a passion—or, perhaps more accurately, not everyone knows what their passion is. If you’re in search of something that moves you, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few ways to embrace your inner creative. 

It might be right in front of you! 

A funny thing happens to people sometimes: They worry that they have no direction in life, and then they take solace in their passions without even realizing that they have them. Maybe it’s an office worker coming home from a long day and breaking out paints and an easel to relax. Maybe it’s a full-time janitor and part-time musician who doesn’t realize how talented they really are. Before you assume that you need to “find” your passion, you should check to see if it’s right in front of you!

Think about how you spend your time, and think about what brings you joy. Think about the things that you wish you had more time for. One of them might be the thing that you were put on this Earth to do.

Start thinking and reading up on your interests. 

If an obvious passion doesn’t come to you right away, don’t fret. Instead, just start thinking. What do you like to read about? Maybe that’s your passion. If you don’t know what you like to read about, maybe you should head to the library and find out! Consider movies and podcasts, too. What interests you? Keep brainstorming, take notes, and indulge yourself: Just think, without putting pressure on yourself, and come up with a big list of ideas. They don’t have to all make sense! As you read, research, and think, you’ll likely start seeing connections.

Know when it’s a job—and when it’s not.

To paraphrase the old saying, a person who knows what they love to do never has to work a day in their life. All they have to do is turn their passion into a lucrative career. Right?

Well, sort of. But it’s important to remember a few things. For one, your job doesn’t have to be your passion; it may only make use of it. For instance, someone who loves tinkering with cars and gadgets may become an expert in forklift engine maintenance, filling a much-needed role that maybe people don’t even think about. And, of course, a passion for debate can turn a person on to politics or law, and a love of science can lead to careers in medicine, research, and so much more. Don’t assume that everyone who gets their “dream job” is doing nothing but wonderful stuff. Doctors deal with logs and paperwork, for instance—a job is still a job, even if there are parts of it that you love!

Some passions can be “side-hustles” instead of full-time jobs. If you’re a talented painter, for instance, you might want to start selling your work on Etsy—but that doesn’t mean that you have to quit your day job. Sometimes, it’s nice to have the freedom to choose when and when not to indulge in your passion. If you make your passion your main source of income, then you might be surprised to find it transformed into a dreary obligation.

It’s also important to remember that some passions are better suited to being hobbies. Just ask acclaimed lawyer and mineral enthusiast Howard Fensterman. Fensterman is incredibly passionate about minerals and gemstones, and he knows an impressive amount about them. He maintains a blog on the subject and is active within the collecting community. But Howard Fensterman does not consider his mineral obsession a job—he already has one of those, thanks to his successful career as an attorney. For Howard Fensterman, this all works out splendidly. In this case, we’re looking at a passion that is best expressed as a hobby.

It’s vital to remember that passion is just that—passion. It’s something that you care about and something that brings you joy. If you find that your passion is building things out of tongue depressors, then you shouldn’t feel pressure to somehow turn that into a career. You shouldn’t even feel pressure to put your work on Etsy. Just have fun, and nurture your passion. You’ll be happier and healthier if you do.

The fictional character Dr. Derek Shepherd (more commonly known as “McDreamy”) is, of course, best known for his love affair with the star of the show, Meredith Grey. (Where are the “Grey’s Anatomy” buffs at?) After this, he is best known for his signature pre-surgery line: “It’s a beautiful day to save lives.”

For many, this line embodies the reason why they decide to go into a medical field. Not only is this career route full of prestige, but it allows for a great sense of accomplishment as it allows us to help save people’s lives, every day. A worthwhile and respectable goal to say the least.

Regardless of whether you’re already on track to studying in a medical field or are just interested in knowing more, it never hurts to investigate our options. Check out these five programs for students considering entering a career in health and medicine.

 Dentistry

A career in dentistry not only allows for a more reliable and flexible schedule (as opposed to an “on-call” doctor), but it also allows for a sense of accomplishment by changing people’s lives. Not only can dental problems cause a considerable amount of pain, but according to the Mayo Clinic, studies suggest that we may be more prone to certain diseases when certain bacteria associated with severe forms of gum disease are present.

Plus, for children going through the awkward years of trying to “fit in” a crooked smile can lead to years of unneeded self-consciousness. This is a good reason why you should consider studying Ortho at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.

Nursing

Not only does a career in nursing bring a ton of job satisfaction and flexibility, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statists, employment for registered nurses is projected to grow by 15 percent between 2016 and 2026. This growth is expected due to the rising age of the population, the rise of chronic conditions, and the fact that there is expected to be a nursing shortage by 2020. All the more reason to consider pursuing an online nursing degree.

Tip: If you’ve already finished your nursing degree, check out ACLS certification online to make getting certified easy.

Physical Therapist

This option is quite grueling but very rewarding. As a physical therapist, you’ll be helping people regain mobility and manage pain, but will also have to study just as long as a regular doctor (about 7 years). However, once you complete the prerequisites at a four-year university, then you can complete the actual Doctor of Physical Therapy degree online. Plus, there seems to be quite a bit of job security in this field as well. According to U.S. News, the field of physical therapy will grow by 28 percent between 2016 and 2026. They also say that in 2017, the median annual salary for a physical therapist was $86,850.00.

Medical Laboratory Technician

To become a laboratory technician, you must complete two years in an approved associate’s degree program and then get certified. This career path is probably one of the easiest ways to become part of a very important diagnostic process. By helping doctors diagnose serious conditions, you could be helping save lives.

Health Care Administration

For those who may be a little squeamish when it comes to the human body, but are still interested in health care and helping people; a degree in health care administration may be the way to do it. This way, we can help people without ever seeing any blood or being around sick people. Plus, according to Glassdoor.com, the average annual base pay for a healthcare administrator is $78,378.00 (not too shabby for not even needing to get our hands bloody).  

When you set up a call center, you streamline the process for your team to achieve goals. A great set up starts with considering how many employees you’ll need and setting concrete objectives for your call center. 

Once those are established, you’ll want to make sure the call center equipment you use is right for your needs. Here are some tips for getting your new system running. 

Find Practical Computers

Call center operations use sophisticated software to enhance the customer experience and ensure that all calls are routed to the right agent for minimum frustration and maximum efficiency. The desktop computer is the basic element undergirding the whole operation. Even when using cloud-based call center software, agents need a way to access it.

Locate your nearest uBreakiFix location so any computer issues can be fixed the right way the first time, and with minimal downtime. As you buy, choose desktops over laptops. While some laptops are cheaper, there are good reasons to prefer desktops: 

• Faster processing speeds at a lower cost than equivalent speeds on a laptop
• More storage space
• More connections for working with headsets, microphones or any other add-ons
• Greater safety for your investment, as a larger size, makes them harder to steal and less likely to be moved and dropped

Use Efficient Headsets

Your personnel needs quality headsets. The traditional phone simply won’t do the job, and a poor quality headset will result in frustrated customers (and agents). Agents will have difficulty hearing the customer over the noise of the call center, and customers will have trouble making out the agent if the headsets aren’t equipped with a quality microphone.

While choosing a headset is always a balance of cost and quality, good headsets have a few things in common:

• They are wired since wireless headsets have to be recharged and cost more for equivalent quality
• They are comfortable so that agents are not tempted to remove them frequently
• They offer noise reduction technology that enables agents to hear customers clearly
• They have a reputation for quality, so you don’t have to replace them in just a few months
• They have USB connections for the best sound quality and voice clarity

Select User-Friendly Software 

The software you choose for your call center should improve quality and speed. Good software gets your agents, customers and business goals all on the same page and reduces handling times, callbacks, and transfers. The right software will also offer you a high degree of functionality without the need to invest in extensive on-premises infrastructure.

There are many types of cloud-based call center software available, but not all are created equal. Here’s what to look for:

• Omnichannel integration so you can communicate with your customers seamlessly across channels
• Call center quality management so you can observe, measure, and evaluate how the call center is performing
• Consistent, reliable uptime with 24/7 customer support
• Scalability so your call center can respond flexibly to your business needs
• Predictive dialers with CRM integrations and customizable workflow

Settle In With Comfortable Equipment

Call centers have an unpleasant reputation for high turnover among agents. Every time an agent leaves, you have to find a new one, retrain them, and accept slower speeds and lowered efficiency for a while as the new agent learns the ropes. One simple way of retaining your call center agents is by making them comfortable.

You may choose to make agents comfortable by hiring them to work from home, but if you have them come to your facility, here are some things to consider getting:

• Chairs comfortable enough to sit in for hours at a time
• Desks designs and computer mice that minimize repetitive stress injury
• Lighting that is comfortable rather than glaring
• Blue light filters for computer screens to minimize headaches and eyestrain
• A break room where agents can decompress

Deciding on a major when you get to college can be daunting. What’s even more daunting is when you decide to go into a field such as engineering, which has countless applications in several areas and industries. So, how do you decide which focus is the right fit for you? Looking at successful engineering companies and firms can help you figure out what your most lucrative choices might be. When it comes down to being an engineering student, it’s important to have a solid understanding of what your life will be like as an engineering major as well as post-graduation.

What To Expect As An Engineering Major

Majoring in engineering requires studying a variety of fields, including science, math, and even business. The broad nature of the skills you master in your introductory years as an engineering student means that there are a variety of disciplines for you to choose from as you continue to specify your education. You’ll be trained in identifying and solving problems, communicating effectively, and formulating and carrying out experiments. Depending on your concentration, you may also need to take courses in ethics.

Each engineering major will have a different set of skills that they hone in undergrad. These skills will ultimately prepare you to work effectively in the environment most relevant to your field of study, and each environment is different. For example, if you’re planning on becoming a biomedical engineer, you may need to learn how to use medical technology like MRI machines. You may also need to learn how to use specialized work gear such as flame-resistant clothing if you’re working as a fire engineer. Fire engineers help keep buildings up to code and may also investigate certain fires. If you aren’t as excited about science but are still interested in finding a lucrative engineering job, Civil Engineering may be a good fit for you. While considered one of the “easier” engineering jobs to get, the day-to-day demands of your actual career are much more stressful than other types of engineering. Ultimately, what concentration you choose to focus on as an engineering major comes down to your aptitudes and interests. However, keeping in mind the average starting salaries as well as where you would like to be working in five or ten years can also help inform your decision.

It’s important to note that, regardless of the field of study you choose, a career in engineering entails dedicating yourself to staying up to date on the latest advancements, discoveries, and creations. Engineers are lifelong learners, so you must be willing to attend conferences and presentations even once you receive your degree. Doing so ensures that you will always stay at the forefront of your field and stay competitive in the job market. How exactly do you find a job, though?

Staffing Agencies Are One Route To A Career

Of course, once you graduate with your engineering degree, you’ll need to find a job to put your skills to use. Enter businesses like Enser Corporation. Enser Corp is an engineering staffing agency that was established in 1947 to provide solutions for engineering service demands, including areas like design, testing, and analysis. The agency can help place you in a job ranging anywhere from Mechanical Design to Finite Element Analysis, making them the perfect choice for recent graduates. Enser prides itself on offering a caliber of service that’s unmatched by other engineering firms. Best of all, since they serve both you and a specific client, it’s in their best interest to find suitable job placements for both parties. This can make the job application process much simpler and far less stressful. Some agencies will even be able to help coach you through designing your resume and fielding interview questions.

The public has always been intrigued by a good story about the tainted history of the prison system. The subject of Alcatraz or “The Rock” has become a movie of the same name and a tourist destination of the coats of San Francisco. Digging deep and spending the time it uncovers facts make for a better, and more researched paper. 

Showing you went the extra mile to gather and investigate the information can be the difference between an A or the dreaded words scribbled in red at the top reading, “See me after class.” Here are some tips to write the best historical paper that will impress even the toughest of college professors.

A Good Beginning

Just like your favorite novel, a good beginning to a paper catches your professor’s interest. It doesn’t matter the subject when it comes to comprehension and the use of well-organized thoughts. A paper that jumps from topic to topic isn’t going to fare well in a college course. Be sure to capture the intrigue of the reader (in this case, your professor) but without being too dramatic. You want it to be interesting but not the next best selling fiction novel. 

It needs to be well written and in your own words. Plagiarism is a serious and illegal issue. Your professor has heard it all too. There are programs are designed to check your work. If you need to reference someone or their work, make sure it’s accurate to utilize proper use of quotations if needed. 

Research Your Subject

Research papers should consist of more than hours of staring at your computer screen. If possible, contact (or if you reside nearby) take a trip where the action existed. When writing a paper about, for example, former inmates and life in prison, you may want to speak to the person themselves or the staff. As long as you’re permitted, sitting down and getting a first-hand experience helps create a better, well-researched paper. 

Diving into the history of a well known former inmate through books, newspapers, and online sites may give you a plethora of information. However, if the guards or free former inmates (or the person themselves) doesn’t mind talking, it’s a good opportunity to absorb a wealth of information. Basic details include early family life, what happened before, during, and after jail, the trial, and the crimes themselves.

Don’t Be Afraid to Dig Deep

Historical papers about deceased prisoners may prove difficult if you’re unsure of where to look. Local libraries can assist you in pulling up old newspaper clippings, microfiche, and if famous enough, a documentary. Taking a looking into public death records can list the former addresses and the current one, including family members of the deceased. When contacting family members, remember to be courteous and be prepared to be ignored. 

Many relatives may have chosen to place that part of their lives behind them, leaving you to piece other the information you already obtained. Government websites can have data such as arrest date (or dates) reasons, for arrests, and trial information. During your quest to find information, attempting to find former cellmates or correspondence can encourage you to be more accurate during your search. Include factual information from the mouth of the inmate’s family to help solidify your historical research. Don’t overlook the library and historical videos and local museums that may have their own websites (or better yet, tours to take!). You may be able to contact amateur historians who’d be more than happy to share what they’ve found. Just be sure to always fact check the information, even if it seems legitimate. Being objective can be difficult, however, it’s essential when writing a paper with historical value.

The word recycling for most people conjures up images of newspapers, soda cans, milk cartons, shopping bags, water bottles and other common household items. In a world that is leaning more and more towards recycling so that residents of this planet can do their part to save the earth, recycling these common items has become a necessity for many, not something they do if, and when they feel like it. 

However, did you know that everything from carbide bushings to crayons can be recycled as well? 

There are many reasons that you should recycle, but if you already do and want to do more to reduce your carbon footprint on the planet, then read on below for a few of the strangest things you can and should be recycling today.

Used Cooking Oil

While the idea of recycling your used cooking oil collection may seem a little strange, it is one of the top items on this list. Think about it, you don’t want a bunch of cooking oil sitting around your kitchen, as it is a dangerous fire hazard, and you don’t want to toss it in the trash can to leak everywhere, so what do you do with it? Recycle is the answer! 

Sports Equipment

Thinking about tossing those old tennis balls, your yoga mat, or even your kid’s old baseball glove? There are quite a few places and sites out there that will accept your used sports equipment and put it to good use, so that it’s not filling up the landfills and destroying the planet. 

Artificial Christmas Trees

At the end of the holiday season last year was your artificial Christmas tree a little worse for wear? If you intend on buying a brand new tree this upcoming holiday season, you’re probably wondering just what you can do with the old one. You don’t want it cluttering up a corner in the garage or taking up space in the attic do you? Luckily, you can recycle that old tree since there are programs in different areas of the country that will take it off your hands. 

Bike Tools and Gear

There are quite a few places and sites out there that accept old bike tools and gear for recycling. Some of the things that are accepted include bike frames, worn tire tubes, bike tools, helmets, bags, bike pumps and more. One of these sites takes these tools and gear and recycles them to deliver to poor economic climates such as the Carribean, Africa, and parts of South America.

Toothbrushes 

Did you know that every old toothbrush you’ve thrown away over your entire life is still here on this earth? Since it takes centuries for a piece of plastic to decompose, it’s not hard to believe since toothbrushes are made of plastic. There are sites now, who partner with toothpaste companies that accept the recycling of old toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and even floss, since they come in plastic as well. So, save up those oral care products and reduce your carbon footprint on the earth by recycling them. 

Holiday Lights

As the Christmas season approaches more than one person will plug in a string of holiday lights only to find half of them don’t work. Not only does this mean a trip to the store for more lights, it also means you have to find something to do with the old string. Never fear, there are places that will let you recycle them as well, and many will give you a discount on a new string through them as well. 

These are just a few of the strangest things out there that can be recycled you might not have known about. Do the right thing and start recycling these things as well.