I remember growing up that being asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?”,was always one of my favorite questions to answer. Until I entered junior high my dream was to attend Texas A&M and become a veterinarian. Sadly, I discovered that if I choose this career path I would not be able to save every animal and may have to put some of them down. The knowledge of that information crushed that dream so I switched to wanting to be a fashion designer. The problem with that was I couldn’t draw people or clothes that didn’t look like potatoes in garbage bags so I switched again to public relations.
Years later, I would be entering my last semester of college at Texas State University majoring in public relations. Only now the questions “what do you want to do when you graduate?” is dreaded and nearly sends me into a panic attack when I’m asked. I usually form some sort of intelligent, logic-based answer that sometimes meets approval or raises an eyebrow but the truth is I don’t know.
I have just now realized after multiple conversations with my mom and best friends that I love that I don’t know what I want to do when I graduate in December. It means to me that the possibilities are endless. The four years I have spent working my tail off will have accumulated into the single most expensive piece of paper I own and with that piece of paper, I can do whatever I choose to do with my life. So if you’re feeling stressed or depressed because you don’t have a definite plan for what happens after you walk across that stage, think about these next few things.
Time
With my mom being diagnosed with breast cancer and my grandfather passing away, the idea of time really hit home for me. We are not guaranteed a certain number of years, tomorrow is not even promised to us. What we can do is spend our time to the best of our abilities. Would you rather go into a job that you enjoy, that makes you a better person? Or a job that makes you angry all the time and you hate all for a better salary?
Interest
The career choices you make will influence who you become and future jobs/connections you receive. Find a path that sparks an interest to you, that you could envision yourself doing. If you haven’t found that yet, don’t panic, you will.
Dream Big
Dream big and don’t be afraid of failure. Steve Jobs and Oprah all failed before they become the highly successful inspirations that they are today. The only person that can tell you that you can’t do something is you. We have a lot more power and control than we think we do. People notice if you’re passionate and if you work hard. If there is something you’ve always wanted to try, try it. Even if you don’t succeed it will mold you into the person you were meant to become and may land you in a better place.
Limits
Don’t limit yourself to just one thing. I like sports that doesn’t mean that my entire career has to just be about sports. Maybe you are like me in that various types of things interest you from sports to politics to animals. I get the opportunity at my internship to work with different political candidates and non-profit organizations. In broadening your scope you may stumble across something you never knew you would be passionate about.
Conformity
I’ve always been told that I march to the beat of my own drum because I hate doing what everyone else is doing and have refused to follow the crowd. The notion that at 22, 23 are supposed to know what we want to do for the rest of our lives is to me, stupid. I don’t know what I want to have for lunch later but I’m supposed to know what I need to be doing for the next 50 years? That makes no sense to me. I believe in having experiences and stumbling smartly across places, people, and jobs that determine your path. I’m not saying to go into the work force directionless or to rebel against everyone, what I’am saying is to do what is right for you, your way. Maybe going to graduate school or law school is what the next step is for you or maybe it’s taking a year off to backpack across Europe, only you know what is the right path for you.
The Take-Away
Be you and do whatever makes you happy. It is your life and your career, do as you please. If you want to be an underwater basket weaver than be the best weaver out there! It is okay to not know exactly what you want to do. A ton of people go into jobs within their major and end up hating it only to do something completely different and love it. The best thing you can do for yourself is to gain experience and learn who you are and maybe you’ll soon find out what you want to do for the next three years. Remember to breathe and have fun! It is the real world but it doesn’t have to completely suck.
