Ask the Mentor

1. I’m passionate about what I’m studying, but I worry it won’t pay the bills. How do I balance passion with practicality? – Sherin

It’s completely normal to feel conflicted between following your passion and ensuring financial stability. The key to balancing these concerns is to take a strategic approach. For example, I know someone who loved photography but wasn’t sure it would provide a steady income right away. So, she started by taking on photography gigs as a side hustle while keeping a full-time job that offered security. Over time, she built her portfolio, gained more clients, and eventually shifted into photography full-time once she was confident in her income.

Another approach is to identify transferable skills within your passion that can lead to stable career options. For instance, if you’re passionate about writing, you could explore opportunities in marketing, content creation, or even technical writing—all of which provide steady job prospects while allowing you to do something you love. By staying open to different possibilities and being flexible in how you approach your career, it’s possible to pursue your passion while still ensuring financial security.

Balancing passion with practicality is about finding ways to follow what you love while also meeting your basic needs. You don’t have to choose one over the other—it’s more about blending them in a way that works for you.

2. How do I stay motivated to keep learning new things, even after years in your career? – Angel

Staying motivated to learn, even after years in your career, often comes from keeping curiosity alive as a lifelong habit. A good way to do this is by setting personal development goals. I make sure to set aside time each month to learn something new, whether it’s related to my field or just a personal interest. These goals don’t have to be big; it could be something as simple as completing an online course, learning a new tool, or reading a book that challenges my perspective.

You can keep the curiosity alive by surrounding yourself with others who enjoy learning. Joining networking groups, industry forums, or even casual discussions with like-minded people can introduce you to fresh ideas and keep you aware of new trends. Learning doesn’t always have to be formal either—it can happen through asking questions, having meaningful conversations, or even listening to podcasts that inspire you to think differently. By making learning a regular part of your life, you can stay motivated and keep growing, no matter how long you’ve been in your career.

3. I struggle to see who I am beyond being a parent or homemaker. How do I find my own identity? – Shalini

Many women find that their sense of identity is closely tied to their roles as a parent or homemaker, but it’s important to remember that you are so much more than just those roles. One way to reconnect with your identity is by revisiting interests or hobbies that might have taken a backseat while focusing on your family. For instance, pursuing a hobby or passion that you may have set aside while focusing on family can be a powerful way to reconnect with yourself. Revisiting activities like art, writing, or any creative outlet can help you rediscover a part of yourself that may have been forgotten. As you engage in these interests again, you’ll find that your personal identity can grow alongside your role as a parent.

A helpful approach is to engage with new communities or activities. Volunteering, joining local clubs, or exploring professional groups can introduce you to people and experiences outside of your family. This not only expands your social circle but also helps you reconnect with personal passions and create new parts of your identity. By exploring different interests and connecting with new people, you give yourself the space to grow in ways that go beyond your family role.

4. After years of managing a household, I’ve gained skills that don’t appear on my résumé. How can I apply them to the professional world? – Nora

The skills you’ve developed while managing a household are incredibly valuable and can easily translate to the professional world. Start by recognizing the specific skills you’ve gained, such as budgeting, time management, negotiation, and project management. For example, managing the household budget is very similar to handling finances in a business, and organizing family events can showcase your project management abilities.

When putting these on a résumé, try framing them in more professional language. Instead of saying, “I managed the household,” you could say something like, “Oversaw the financial and logistical operations of a household, managing a budget and coordinating schedules for multiple family members.” You can also highlight examples where you resolved conflicts, streamlined daily routines, or took the lead on important family decisions. These skills are highly transferable, and many employers value candidates who bring practical, real-life problem-solving abilities, even if they come from non-traditional roles. By showcasing your experience in this way, you can demonstrate how your household management skills apply in a professional setting.

-Dr. Abha Bhartia is a DEI and L& D Consultant with 22+ years in the industry. She is a certified coach. She designs and facilitate customised training programs that focus on a range of topics, from soft skills to leadership development.