Work passion in the military career: A study on military policies and firefighters in peacekeeping missions

Purpose: Analyze the relationship between work passion and the career choices of Brazilian military police and firefighters in participating in UN peacekeeping missions. Methodology/approach: The research approach was qualitative, under a basic qualitative study strategy. Eight military police officers and one military firefighter who participated in peacekeeping missions were interviewed through semi-structured interviews and the analysis was carried out with the aid of content analysis (Bardin, 2011). Main findings: It was noticed that the relationship between work passion and career choices occurs in a cyclical relationship and work passion was seen as an emotional element present in the "self-direction" of the individual, which is one of the bases of the protean career. Academic contributions: it is proposed the intertwine between work passion and the development of a protean career, emphasizing the emotional dimension present in the rational decisions that workers take throughout their professional growth. Practical contributions: It became evident that even in organizations considered traditional, in their career aspects, there are possibilities of choices characteristic of the protean career. In this sense, it was sought to publicize about the participation of professionals in peacekeeping missions, which can represent an opportunity for professional and emotional growth, highlighting the relevance that work passion has regarding career decisions.