When I graduated, I didn’t follow my passion. Infact, I did the opposite, and it’s one of the best career decisions I ever made.

At the time, my passion was communication. I loved to write, I still do. But fresh out of school, my goals were purely economical, more specifically financial💰. I did not want to be unemployed. I wanted a well-paying job that would give me security and independence.

I knew nothing about technology beyond being curious. I had heard it paid well and so I made a strategic choice. I went back to study technology as a second degree, not because I loved it, but because I knew it was in demand and would open doors to high-paying roles.

It worked. And it paid off, literally. That decision set a solid financial foundation for my career. But here’s the thing: it wasn’t just about chasing money. I was deliberate about learning in-demand skills that would make me valuable in the marketplace. I prioritised growth and employability over immediate passion.

Looking back, I’m glad I did. That foundation eventually gave me the freedom to explore work I’m truly passionate about today. When you make decisions early enough you get the benefit of compounding interest. A few years of lelarning and earning can set the foundation for passion projects later on in life or as a side hustle.

That’s why I believe the answer to “Should you follow your passion?” isn’t yes, but it depends.

Early in your career, you might need to focus on building credibility, financial stability, and skills that keep you in demand. Passion matters, but stability often needs to be the focus in those early years.

As you progress, gain experience, and strengthen your financial footing, you can start allowing passion take the driver’s seat, pursuing work that excites you and aligns with your values without constantly worrying about paying the bills.

Timing is key, but so is preparation.

At some point, you will feel it is time for a change. Everyine will go through that phase. I call it Career Unrest. It may signal the time to follow your passion or time to follow the money trail to a higher paycheck.

So, over to you, at this stage of your career, should you be building financial stability, leaning into passion, or trying to balance both?

Passion or paycheck, which will it be?