Ikigai: Finding the Intersection of Passion, Skills, and Purpose in the College Journey

Every student I meet carries a mix of hopes, curiosities, and questions about the future. Yet the pressure to “pick a major” or “know what you want to be” can feel overwhelming—especially when life experience is still unfolding.

That’s why the concept of Ikigai, a Japanese framework that describes where your passions, skills, values, and sense of purpose intersect, has become a guiding touchstone in my work.

Ikigai isn’t about having your entire life figured out. It’s about uncovering directionality—those meaningful clues that point toward environments where a student can thrive, contribute, and grow. And in the world of college admissions, where clarity and self-knowledge are powerful anchors, Ikigai offers a refreshing, grounding perspective.

Why Ikigai Matters to Me

I’m drawn to Ikigai because it mirrors what I see every day in my practice: when students understand who they are, good decisions follow more naturally. College becomes less about chasing prestige or guessing what admissions committees want and more about aligning choices with authentic strengths, interests, and values.

Over the years, I’ve watched students flourish when they discover that they don’t have to force themselves into a box or choose a path because it sounds “practical.” Instead, they can pursue opportunities that genuinely fit—the ones that feel both energizing and sustainable.

Case in Point: When a “Hobby” Becomes Part of the Path

Student Spotlight: Chemical Engineer + Artist

One of my students arrived absolutely certain she wanted to study chemical engineering. Her academic record supported that goal—high-level math and science courses, a love of problem-solving, and excellent lab skills.

But during her Strong Interest Inventory, a surprising thread appeared: a deep, consistent appreciation for the arts. Until that moment, I had no idea she painted. She shrugged and said, “It’s just a hobby.”

Except it wasn’t just a hobby.

When we looked closer, we saw how her artistic eye and her scientific mindset complemented each other—precision, detail orientation, creativity, and patience. Suddenly, new intersections emerged.

Today, she’s still pursuing chemical engineering, but she’s woven art into her academic life in a way that’s both joyful and purposeful. She discovered a passion for art restoration, and her engineering program is now the vehicle supporting that intersection of chemistry, history, and creative expression.

That is Ikigai in action—not abandoning one passion for another, but finding the place where they strengthen each other.

How Assessments Help Students Find Their Ikigai

While students may have ideas of what they like or what they’re good at, those insights often feel scattered. This is where structured assessments play a powerful role. Tools such as the Highlands Ability Battery, the Myers-Briggs Strong Interest InventoryⓇ, personality frameworks, and my own ALTitude questionnaire help reveal patterns students don’t always recognize on their own.

Each tool brings forward different parts of the Ikigai circle:

1. Natural Abilities (Skills)

Some students are conceptual thinkers; others are hands-on problem solvers, visual processors, connectors, communicators, builders, leaders, analysts, or creatives. Understanding how a student solves problems—not just what subjects they take—starts to shape the “skills” dimension of their Ikigai.

2. Interests (Passion)

Interests can be broad or evolving, and that’s okay. Assessments highlight themes: environments a student enjoys, the type of work that feels engaging, or the activities they choose when no one assigns them anything.

3. Values & Purpose

Through guided reflection and values exercises, students identify what matters most: impact, creativity, service, innovation, stability, collaboration, independence, advocacy, discovery, belonging. Purpose often begins here—not as a polished statement, but as a spark.

Bringing these elements together creates a roadmap students can actually use. Not a rigid prescription—just a clearer sense of direction.

Principles I Use to Apply Ikigai to the College Admissions Process

When a student understands the intersections of passion, skill, and purpose, everything in the admissions process becomes more intentional. Here’s how I integrate this thinking:

1. Start With the Student, Not the Major

Before we talk about colleges, we talk about the student: how they learn best, what energizes them, what drains them, what they value in a community, and how they imagine contributing to the world. Ikigai becomes the anchor—not the name of a major.

2. Build a College List That Supports Exploration

Most adolescents are not ready to declare a narrow path, and they shouldn’t feel pressured to. I help families choose colleges that allow students to explore connected areas within their emerging Ikigai—schools with flexible cores, supportive advising, and interdisciplinary options.

3. Guide Course Selection and Activities With Intention

With clearer insight into strengths and values, we can take small, meaningful steps:

• classes aligned to strengths

• summer experiences that let them test interests

• extracurriculars that feel energizing rather than obligatory

The goal is movement, not perfection.

4. Strengthen Essays With Authentic Reflection

When students write from a place of self-knowledge, their storytelling becomes richer and more grounded. Ikigai-inspired insights help them articulate:

• why certain experiences mattered

• what motivates them

• how they hope to contribute to a campus community

Instead of writing what they think colleges want, they write from who they truly are.

5. Increase Confidence and Reduce Anxiety

Much of the stress around college admissions comes from uncertainty. Ikigai reframes uncertainty as possibility. Students feel empowered because they’re making intentional choices aligned with their strengths and purpose—not reacting to pressure.

Why Ikigai Matters Now More Than Ever

Students today carry enormous pressure to “get it right” at a very young age. Ikigai shifts the narrative: You don’t need a perfect answer—you simply need enough self-understanding to take your next step with intention.

Assessments, conversations, and reflection help illuminate those intersections. And when students see that alignment, their confidence grows, their choices become more grounded, and the entire admissions process feels more meaningful.

That is why Ikigai matters so deeply to me—and why it guides the way I support students during one of the most transformative transitions of their lives.

About the Author

Amy Trinnaman is the founder of Amy Trinnaman Educational Consulting, LLC, where she provides personalized guidance to students and families navigating the complexities of college and boarding school admissions. With over 20 years of experience in education, Amy is dedicated to demystifying the admissions process and alleviating stress for her clients. She focuses on crafting tailored strategies that help students discover their strengths, set achievable goals, and present authentic, compelling applications. Amy's commitment is to connect students with educational opportunities that align with their academic aspirations and personal growth.