If you're genuinely passionate about something— whether it’s computer science, art, nutrition, social work, or animals — it might make sense to turn this passion into a profitable career. After all, that’s what Walt Disney, Bill Gates, and Jim Koch all did!However, following your passion isn’t as simple as you’d think — and you’ll need to work just as hard as you would with any other career. To help you doit, SallyRoper of My Creative Pixel shares three tips for turning your passion into a successful profession you’ll love.

1. Define Your Career Goals

Finding your passion is the first step toward changing careers and pursuing something you love, but you’ll also need to define your career goals and decide how you’ll turn your passion into a profitable profession. Will you pursue a rewarding new career with a different organization? Do you plan on launching a business as an entrepreneur, freelancer, or solopreneur? Will you open your own brick-and-mortar store?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll need to write a career action plan. According to The Balance, an action plan will help to break down the education, training, and volunteer experience needed to achieve your career goals — and get from point A to point B. Your plan should list each of the steps you’ll need to take, as well as the obstacles you may face along the way.

2. Learn on the Side

In addition to defining your career goals and writing your action plan, you’ll need to put your plan into action by furthering your education and training. And fortunately, online degree programs make it easier than ever to further your education while continuing to work a full- or- part-time job. You can learn at your own pace and complete your degree program as quickly or slowly as you’d like.

Plus, there’s an online program for just about every industry — including business, health, information technology, and teaching. If you’re passionate about information technology and computers, for instance, an online computer science degree program will teach you key skills in artificial intelligence, data structures, architecture and systems, computer theory, and logic.

And if you’re delving into entrepreneurship, a professional degree or several courses in business management or administration will improve your chances of success. As another option, you could read business books, listen to podcasts, and search for free classes online.

3. Bring in Some Help from thePros

As you pursue your passion with the hope of turning it into a profitable career, there are a few professionals you’ll want to enlist the help of — especially if you’re launching a business or pursuing entrepreneurship. These include: 

• Professional resume writers and proofreaders (if you’ll be applying for new jobs).

• Accountants and lawyers (if you need financial or legal advice when starting a business).

• Graphic and web designers, social media managers, and email marketers (for marketing a new business).

• Recruiters (if you’re starting a business and wish to hire employees).  

• Other entrepreneurs, business owners, or mentors in your industry (for advice).

Turn Your Passion Into aProfitable Profession

Turning your passion into profit isn’t quite as simple as quitting your job and pursuing a new career the next day. Like any career, it takes experience, training, education — and a whole lot of time, dedication, and hard work. But if you’re genuinely passionate about something and serious about making a career out of it, the effort you put in won’t see mall that bad.  

As Confucius once said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Maybe he was onto something?

Do you need some help with your marketing and design needs? Connect with Sally Roper of My Creative Pixel to learn all about the social media, email marketing, and web, print, and graphic design services she offers.

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Article contributed by: Amy Collett