Unlocking Curiosity: How Students Can Turn Passion Into Purpose in Sustainability

What turns five hours into five minutes?

What are you actually curious about?

We often asked students these questions while working with Roadtrip Nation.

While in high school, it often felt like I was sitting in class for eight hours, just waiting for lunch, an then busy with sports. There was never time to ask why and actually think about what I was curious about.

But during my time with Roadtrip Nation, we drove the big green rig to meet students and get them excited about their interests—showing them how they can build a life around what lights them up.

We shared culturally relevant documentaries to inspire students and show that there’s no one right way to live or achieve success and fulfillment.

Young people today are under immense pressure, and the weight of climate change and social injustice can stifle creativity. It’s easy to feel stuck when the curriculum doesn't change fast enough. But there are ways to break through.

Though it can be frustrating that there’s a lack of infrastructure to fully support students learning about sustainability, it also means there’s a ton of creative opportunity to carve out your own path.

Here are some tips that can help:

• Talk with older adults or alumni who inspire you—people doing work that aligns with what you want to see in the world.

• Research what’s already out there. Chances are, someone else has faced a similar fork in the road. What worked for them? What would they do differently?

• Ask your teachers if you can tailor your school projects to align with your passions.

• Use academic journals/databases to connect with researchers across the globe and see if you can contribute to their work.

• Work with existing social groups or even start one, building a community around your ideas and interests.

For me, I had ZERO background in farming or food systems, but I started by reading as much as I could, reaching out for phone calls, and eventually just sent it—working full-time on a farm.

I’m stoked to share the creativity I found (and am still finding) with current students who are passionate about sustainable food systems!

Find what excites you and run with it.

You might be surprised by how quickly time flies when you're following your curiosity.