‘What Is My Passion?’ Quiz: A No-Stress Way to Learn What to Do in Life

‘What Is My Passion?’ Quiz: A No-Stress Way to Learn What to Do in Life was originally published on Forage.

We’ve all heard that if we love what we do, we won’t feel like we’ve worked a day in our lives. But how can you figure out what career you might love if you don’t know your passion? If you’re stuck wondering, “What is my passion?” we’ve designed a low-stress, free way to help you figure out what kind of work might be a good fit for you — and give you career options that fit that passion so you can find a job you love.

>>MORE: 9 Ways to Stop Saying ‘I Don’t Know What Job I Want’

‘What Is My Passion?’ Quiz

Ready to answer “What is my passion?” and learn what careers you’re best suited for based on what you love? You’ll have to sign up for your results, but it’s absolutely free. Let’s get started!

1. I lose track of time when…

a. hanging out with my friends

b. going down a rabbit hole to learn about a new topic

c. reading about a topic I’m passionate about

d. working on a creative project, like knitting or writing a song

e. completing a difficult puzzle, like a crossword

2. My friends would describe me as…

a. empathetic

b. knowledgeable

c. passionate

d. creative

e. analytical

3. I’d describe myself as…

a. supportive

b. hardworking

c. dedicated

d. artistic

e. resourceful

4. I prefer to read…

a. romance books

b. self-help books

c. memoirs or biographies

d. fantasy books

e. science fiction books

5. In the friend group, I’m the…

a. advice giver, helping my friends with their problems

b. leader, making decisions about where we should eat or travel

c. motivator, rallying the group together

d. planner, organizing our hangouts

e. mediator, stopping any conflict

6. Your high school superlative should have been…

a. Most Likely to Put Others First

b. Most Likely to Be Your Boss

c. Most Likely to Come Back to Teach at This School

d. Most Likely to Write the Next “Harry Potter”

e. Most Likely to Cure the Common Cold

7. I feel most proud when someone tells me…

a. they felt better after we talked

b. the advice I gave them worked

c. the project I worked on made their life easier

d. they felt inspired by something I created

e. I helped them solve a problem

8. My superpower would be…

a. healing

b. mind reading

c. seeing the future

d. shape-shifting

e. time travel

9. I learn best by…

a. working in groups

b. independent research

c. real-world experience

d. hands-on projects

e. working through concepts systematically

10. My favorite movie genre is…

a. rom-com

b. action

c. documentary

d. indie

e. sci-fi

11. Pick a real TedTalk to listen to.

a. The secret to making new friends as an adult

b. How to make smart decisions more easily

c. Are we the last generation — or the first sustainable one?

d. The science of laughter

e. Is technology our savior — or our slayer?

12. If I had to try a new hobby, I’d probably start with…

a. a book club

b. a new sport

c. gardening

d. crafting

e. home DIY

13. Pick a social platform.

a. Facebook

b. LinkedIn

c. Twitter

d. Instagram

e. Reddit

14. If I started a podcast, I’d interview people who have…

a. helped others through difficult times

b. shared expertise on a niche topic

c. driven positive social change

d. created a unique artistic project

e. developed innovative technology

15. I’d like to have dinner with…

a. Brené Brown

b. Oprah Winfrey

c. Greta Thunberg

d. Taylor Swift

e. Bill Gates

16. In a group research project, I take the role of…

a. assigning everyone roles

b. conducting primary research

c. giving the presentation

d. designing the presentation

e. figuring out our group’s topic and argument

17. The parts of my life that make me happiest right now are my…

a. friends and family

b. personal and professional accomplishments

c. causes I’ve worked for

d. creative hobbies

e. technical projects

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What Is My Passion? Quiz: Next Steps and Advice

Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step to finding your passion by completing the quiz. What’s next? How else can you work on answering, “What is my passion?”

Self-Reflect

How do you feel about your results? Were you surprised? Were they what you expected? Any reaction is OK! Take time to reflect and consider why you had the specific response. 

For example, if you were surprised, ask yourself why you were shocked. Did you want something different? Have other people told you your passion should be something else? Understanding your previous emotions and expectations about what you should be passionate about and why can help you unlock what you’re genuinely interested in. 

“It’s essential to self-reflect and identify interests, strengths, values, and skills,” says Eric Eng, a private college admissions consultant and the founder and CEO of AdmissionSight. “Taking the time to understand yourself better can offer invaluable insights into the kinds of work you find fulfilling.”

Don’t Expect Your Passion to “Show Up”

If you’re not feeling incredibly excited about your “What is my passion?” result, don’t wait for the excitement to arrive — start acting!

“A common mistake is waiting for passion to find you instead of actively exploring different areas,” says John R. Miles, podcast host of “Passion Struck.” “Passion often develops over time and through experience. Oprah Winfrey, for example, didn’t start as a media mogul; she explored various roles in media, which gradually led to her discovering her true passion in talk show hosting and media production.”

Instead, discover what you might be passionate about by experimenting, exploring, and trying new things. Internships, externships, volunteer opportunities, extracurriculars, courses, and Forage job simulations are all great opportunities to figure out what you like — and, just as importantly, what you don’t like.

>>MORE: Disliked Your Internship? 5 Things to Do ASAP

PassionIntroductory Forage job simulation to tryHelping othersGE Explore Human ResourcesAdvising othersBCG Introduction to Strategy ConsultingMaking a differenceClifford Chance Climate Change LawCreating something newbp Digital Design & UXSolving problemsJPMorgan Chase & Co. Software Engineering Lite

Think Long-Term, Not Short

Eng says it’s easy to equate passion with fun and excitement, especially with activities that bring you instant gratification. “This approach can lead to overlooking things that may not be immediately exciting but can turn into a true passion over time.”

Instead, he advises thinking long-term about tasks, skills, or hobbies you’ve been drawn to much of your life.

“It’s important to understand that passion often comes from mastery and a deep sense of satisfaction in one’s work, which can take time and effort to develop,” Eng says.

Look Inward, Not Outward

Robert Choi, founder of TheGovCoach.com, warns students not to follow a career path “based on external expectations or perceived prestige rather than personal interest and fulfillment. Students often overlook what truly excites them in favor of what they believe will be more acceptable or lucrative, which can lead to dissatisfaction.”

It’s hard to block out the noise when you have people you love and trust trying to help you answer, “What is my passion?” While you can listen to their perspectives, try not to internalize their passions or wishes for you as your own — to find satisfaction at work, your career should be what you really want.

What Is My Passion? Quiz: The Bottom Line

Answering “What is my passion?” isn’t a simple or one-step process. But you’ve done the most challenging part — getting started.

“Stay open-minded and be willing to pivot,” Choi says. “The journey to finding your passion is often non-linear and can involve exploring various paths. Be open to changing directions as you gain more knowledge about yourself and the world of work. Remember, it’s about finding a career that not only suits your skills but also ignites your passion and aligns with your personal values.”

Looking for more insights about what career is right for you? Try our other free career quizzes:

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