“So, what are you doing after college?”
Your palms start sweating and your mind begins racing with all the variables that may or may not come into play. Oh shoot, what WILL I be doing? Will I be married? What if I have a kid? I’d need a job. Will I have a job? What IS my job? What am I even doing going for this degree? Man, what was I thinking! I might as well be getting a degree in underwater basket weaving! This isn’t going to give me job security! Oh crap. CRAP!
This question not only probes the uncertainty of the future, but also the unequivocal, unavoidable weight of responsibility as the burden of self-sufficiency grows ever more daunting. It also brings into question the validity of your degree of choice. Is this REALLY a good idea? And worse yet, after a mental and emotional red alert, the answer to this cruel question is typically…
“Uhh…I don’t know”
It’s a question that makes family Christmas gatherings, summer holidays with relatives, and every new interaction with an older person a nuisance. And truly, even if you think you know what you’re doing, you don’t REALLY know what you’ll be doing. Four years is a long time in this period of transition. And life can and will take unexpected turns. But never fear. Here’s a few tips when answering the question that can’t be answered.
- Have an answer ready, even if it’s vague. Hopefully you have a vague notion of what you would like to do. And share it! There’s no shame in your answer changing as time progresses.
- Be willing to say “I don’t know”. Typically, the people that are asking these questions of you are older, and have thus, been in your shoes before. They understand where you’re at.
- Talk about what you’re doing now. Working as an intern at a job you really like? Talk about that. Playing gigs at the local coffee shop? Talk about that. Going on mission trips to third world countries? Talk about that. Life doesn’t start after college. You’re doing it now. Use the experiences you have now to fuel the inspiration of what you might like to do for the future.
- Stick to what you want to do. Some might judge you for being an english major, or a music major, or an underwater basket weaving major. But who cares! They are not you and ultimately, it’s up to you to make the decision on what you want to do with your life. And talking about your passion will help you answer that question.
- Bounce ideas off. Say what you like to do. And then, if the person you’re talking to has similar interests, they might be able to give you some ideas on potential job opportunities. They may even be able to give you connections. After all, a big part of college is establishing those connections and creating a lasting network.
Just remember, they ask because they care. So don’t fret too much when people take interest in your life and your future. They were all in your place at one point. With time, opportunities will present themselves and your understanding of what you want to do will become more clear. So good luck, and calm down. The end of college is not the end of the world
