We all have those couple areas of expertise that we feel comfortable in. Whether it’s a particular school subject, a sport, politics, fashion or even a TV show, if we know a lot about it, we tend to cling to it like a life-line. In fact, these areas often define us in more ways than we’d care to admit. Our majors, the things we talk about, the stories we tell, and how others describe us are all derived from our niches.
It’s sad in a way that we can be so easily defined by one narrow portrayal, but we do it to ourselves. It is so much easier to find one or two things and know all there is to know about them and be confident and comfortable in those topics. However, what this does is it makes you a one-track mind – you lack depth as a person. You could be the greatest tennis player under the age of 18, but if all you talk and know about is tennis, that’s really all you are: a tennis player and nothing more.
In high school, this kind of thinking is particularly rampant. Despite the myriad of programs and opportunities offered, people typically stick with one and, lo and behold, cliques form. I’m guilty of it too; I always hung out in the band hall with my band family (aka the coolest kids at school) when I could. Once you’re in a category it’s hard to remove yourself. This is why in college I believe it is so important to break out of that clique. Not only does college offer the perfect opportunity to do so, but you're able to start with a clean slate and an even larger variety of opportunities. Everything you engage yourself in works to help your future.
As many of you have discovered, especially you upperclassmen, the time in your life when you enter your career is fast approaching and your professors are probably telling you about career fairs and the importance of connecting with employers. Scary stuff, I know. Want to know something even scarier? Employers don’t just look at grades. Employers like people who not only have good grades, but also participated in clubs, sports, and organizations. They like to see that you can work with others and handle many things at once; it makes you a more valuable potential employee to them and, therefore, money well spent. It pays to be involved.
This is not to say that getting a good job is the only reason to be well-rounded. As I mentioned before, you tend to not have much depth as a person if all you talk about is your sorority and nothing but. You’ll get old really fast. However, if you get yourself involved in a handful of things or learn about something that you have no experience with, you’ll be surprised how much more interesting you will become as a person.
So, take a break from your comfort zone and get out there! It just might change your life.
