Finding My Ikigai: How Government Technology Became My Passion
Understanding Ikigai
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that represents the intersection of four key elements:
- What you love
- What you're good at
- What the world needs
- What you can be paid for
My decade+ journey at the Bureau of Labor Statistics became an unexpected path to discovering my personal ikigai.
What I Love: Technology and Problem-Solving
From the beginning, I was interested in Tech / Computers , driven by a desire to find solutions to problems. I didn't exactly know where/how I could fit in into the world. But that was the general direction I wanted to take. Some of the projects which I worked on weren't just technical challenges—they were opportunities to transform complicated processes into intuitive experiences.
What I'm Good At: Software Engineering and Innovation
My skills went beyond coding. I excelled at:
- Understanding complex business requirements
- Designing user-friendly interfaces
- Creating scalable, flexible systems
- Bridging technology with human needs
The IDCF Suite of applications perfectly exemplified this—we didn't just build a tool, we reimagined how survey management could work.
What the World Needs: Reliable Public Infrastructure
Government technology is often overlooked, but it's critical to societal functioning. My work directly impacted:
- Economic policy understanding (Principal Economic Indicators)
- Accurate labor market insights (Employment Situation Report)
- Accessible data collection systems
- Improved government technology infrastructure
Each line of code contributed to something larger than myself—helping measure and understand the economic pulse of the nation.
What I Can Be Paid For: A Meaningful Career in Service of the Public ?
Contrary to popular belief, government technology offers more than just a steady paycheck. It provides:
- Opportunities for meaningful innovation
- Recognition for impactful work (like my Innovation Award 🏆)
- A sense of contributing to the public good
- Professional growth and challenging projects
The Intersection: My Ikigai
My ikigai emerged not from a single moment, but through years of work. By aligning my technical skills with a broader purpose, I transformed what could have been a routine job into a calling.
Key Realizations
- Purpose isn't found, it's created
- Innovation can happen anywhere, even in bureaucratic systems
- Technical skills are most powerful when applied with empathy and understanding
A Message to Fellow Journeymen
Your ikigai might not be what/where you expect. Look for the intersection of your passion, skills, societal needs, and professional opportunities. Sometimes, it's hiding in plain sight—just like my journey in government survey technology processing.
So, maybe Ikigai is not a destination, but a continuous journey of alignment, purpose, and growth.