I have reached one of the most awkward stages of life. Not puberty, not high school, not even the weird period where everyone a year older than you seems to be getting married. Rather, it is when the post-college real world is getting a little too close, and I am constantly being asked: "So, what are your plans after you graduate?"
While I usually rattle off a rehearsed response about corporate jobs and moving to a big city, the truth is that I don't know. I really don't know what I want to do. What if I want to open a bakery? Or move to another country? Or write a novel? Our society puts this pressure on college students to immediately get a job or go to graduate school or at least have a solid plan for your life by the time you're 21. If I'm not old enough to buy a glass of wine and think about it, I'm not old enough to decide.
Jokes aside, other cultures do not have this same mentality. In many European countries like the UK, most students take a year off before, during, or after college. This time is typically spent traveling, volunteering or even learning a new language. In the Netherlands, it is not unusual for students to take up to six years to complete their degree. This allows for a more spaced-out schedule and more immersive job/field experiences. So, why are we all in such a rush to land the best job or settle down?
I know the prospect of a gap year is a lot easier said than done. It takes a lot of money and self-assurance to basically ditch adulthood for a little while. But a gap year doesn't have to mean traveling the world on someone else's dime. It could mean moving back home and getting a local part-time job. It could mean having an internship or fellowship at a different university. It could even mean volunteering abroad. It truly is what you make of it, and while the execution may vary the general point is to take a breath and discover more about yourself before making big commitments. And while I know this isn't possible for everyone, valuable life experiences can come from stepping out of your comfort zone.
If you are also unsure of what to do after graduation but don't know where to turn - there are many programs geared towards graduates that offer short-term plans. For example, Teach for America is a national nonprofit that enlists graduates to teach middle or high schoolers across the country for 2 years. Their goal is to strengthen the education system and provide support for schools lacking resources. This program allows you to teach on a subject you may have studied or excelled at to young students. AmeriCorps is also an option, which is a volunteer rotational program that pairs you with domestic non-profits and gives you a stipend to work on their projects. This program can last 1-2 years depending on who you are partnered with.
These options are not long-term, but they're not meant to be. They offer a chance to expand your worldview or provide a platform to give back. For students like me who don't necessarily have an ultimate dream job or grad school, programs like this give us options.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with having your life planned out. It takes a lot of maturity and confidence to set clear goals for yourself and follow through with them. But everyone is different, and the cookie-cutter life path our society seems to encourage simply doesn't work for everyone. So, if you are like me and don't have an answer to that dreaded, post-college question - know that there is truth and power in understanding that life is a timeline, not a deadline.
