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Jason posted an update in the group
3 weeks agoAll Members What is your Ikigai?
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that helps people find purpose and fulfillment in life. As you think about college or your career, finding your Ikigai can be a powerful way to navigate your future.
At its core, Ikigai is about finding the balance between four things:
- What you love – The passions that excite you.
- What you are good at – The skills you naturally excel in or can develop.
- What the world needs – Ways you can contribute to others or solve problems.
- What you can be paid for – The careers or opportunities that provide financial stability.
Ikigai can guide you toward a career that is meaningful but also realistic. Maybe you’re passionate about art or sports, but you also need financial security. The idea isn’t to ignore your passions—it’s to think about how they can fit into a career that is sustainable.
For example, if you love helping people and enjoy science, nursing or healthcare could be an option. If you like creativity but also want stability, maybe graphic design or digital marketing is a path to explore. The goal is to find something that excites you and helps you build a secure future for yourself and your family.
When choosing a college or job, think about how you can connect these four areas. Scholarships, community support, and internships can help bridge gaps, giving you access to opportunities that might seem out of reach.
No matter your background, your dreams matter. Finding your Ikigai means shaping a future that aligns with your passion, talents, and needs—while also making sure you thrive.
For me, I LOVE computers, and I especially love making it easier and safer for people to use computers in all aspects of their lives. By working at Microsoft, I have been lucky to have a career based on my passion, lets me excel, work on technology (Windows) which is literally used by 1.5 billion people, and has enabled me to raise a family.
SO – What is YOUR Ikigai?
Jeff2 Comments-
I’ve learned that I really love cognitive science. Even more recently, I’ve discovered a love for first order logic. As I explore career paths, I’ve been looking for ways to combine the two (though they’re already quite related!). My goal is to do research to help make educational environments/tools more effective, accessible, and engaging.
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@Kasey That’s great! Congratulations that you have found the direction you want to go in! The world needs more people like you and your goal!
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