As a 20-year-old, the question, “Where do you see yourself when you graduate?” still remains. Yet, over the years my answer has changed significantly.
When I was young, I wanted to become a doctor or an artist. Then, in high school, I thought I would become an art or science teacher. Then, before I graduated, I applied for B.B.A. programs on a gut feeling. I didn’t know what area of business that I wanted to go into, but I knew I liked business and I’d have four years in university to figure out the details.
Two years have flown by and I am now in my third year at the University of Toronto. I still don’t know what I want exactly. Just when I think I’ve narrowed things down, I doubt myself. There is a part of me that could fit into any field in business. There is also a part of me that is afraid to pick the wrong one.
I like finance. I like human resources. I even like a little bit of accounting now and then. I might even want to go into law. I also like the idea of running my own business.
But, do I like any of the above enough to spend the rest of my life in that field? These questions used to make me nervous. I used to spend hours doing career aptitude tests and reading about different fields, all in an attempt to find my niche in the world.
After stressing out over what felt like “the rest of my life,” I decided to take the advice that a teacher once gave me: I don’t need to worry about the details because if I want to succeed, I will.
My point is you may not know exactly where you are going in life and that is perfectly acceptable. Career counsellors, teachers, parents, and friends might stress you out about the rest of your life, but it’s not as big a deal as it seems. Ask any successful person, and they will likely have changed their jobs or careers at least once, and it wasn’t the end of the world for them!
Life is not as complicated as we try to make it out to be. If we just let go, things will work themselves out. I have a rough idea of what I want for the rest of my life, and for once, that doesn’t worry me one bit.
I think very few of us know exactly what we want to do, and if we do, that idea definitely changes over time.
Choosing what to go to school for was the most stressful for me. I considered psychology, marketing, English, new media, web design, and more, before ultimately settling on journalism.
In the first two years of the program I had multiple moments of panic during which I considered dropping out or switching programs (but the end of second year was the point of no return).
I specialized in newspaper reporting because that’s where I pictured my career. But as time went on, I only moderately enjoyed reporting itself and found myself loving web and desktop publishing, and managing other reporters/writers.
Today, I work for a small advertising company doing work that is related to my undergrad but a far cry from newspapers.
You’re right, Valerie: you just have to let life happen. When you try to control your own path too much, you needlessly stress yourself out.
Valerie – this article could not have crossed my path at a better time… I am in my final semester at the University of Waterloo, and have changed my mind about ‘what I want to do’ a few hundred times. I’ve transferred universities, taken time off, switched academic programs, and volunteered abroad – and still have no definitive answer to that age old question (“So, what are you going to DO?”).
I do, however, have a long, long list of ideas that I would like to pursue – and as stressful as post grad plans may be, your advice is bang on: Life is not as complicated as we make it out to be. We need to just let life happen.
Thanks!
Cassandra – Good to know that you found a career that you love…I’m hoping that I will too eventually.
Jen – It’s great to hear that this made sense to someone else!! I hope that you get to do everything on that list one day!
Wow – that’s impressive Valerie! It can be pretty challenging to let go of “needing to know” and certainty. But when you can, it not only gets rid of some unhelpful anxiety, but can also give you more space for exploring and finding unexpected opportunities – things you never may have found if you’d been so certain. Best wishes as you explore those possibilities!
Cathy – thanks!! Your comments mean a lot to me…it’s very reassuring to have someone else tell you it’s okay to be uncertain about things (especially a career counsellor!). It’s very true that you can find new opportunities when you keep an open mind and don’t box yourself in too soon!