Like many young adults in America, I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I'm 21 years old, about to be a senior at a college I absolutely adore, and the major I chose when I was 18 years old just does not quite ignite the same fire in me that it used to.
Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to be a teacher. School was my favorite game to play when I was little. And yes, you guessed it, I was always the "teacher," and I made my friends be my "students." So why, now that I'm about to take my licensure exams, graduate with a double major in Mathematics and Adolescent/Young Adult Education, and begin my life as the teacher I'd always dreamed of becoming, do I suddenly feel like I'm making a huge mistake? Well, apparently I'm not the only one having second thoughts about what to do for the rest of my life.
Almost every adult that I have ever talked to about what I like to call my "Mid-College Crisis," have told me that it's normal to second guess yourself. They also tell me, that on average, 80 percent of college students change their major at least once, while most students end up changing their major at least three times. And that's only while students are STILL IN college! In fact, the Huffington Post ran a poll about twenty-somethings in the work force who wanted to switch careers. 80 percent of those in their 20's want a career change. Only 14 percent of workers in America believe themselves to be in what they would consider their dream job, and more than half of them want to change their career. Now, I don't know about you, but I think that's just crazy.
So, if you're like me, I know what you're probably thinking. How is this supposed to make me feel better?! I don't know if that's quite the goal that I had in mind for this article. I really just want you to know that you're not alone. It's okay to be freaking out about having to pick ONE thing to do for the rest of your life. I know people in their 40's and 50's who still don't know what they want to be when they grow up. And do you know what they tell me when I ask them if they'll ever know? "Why do I have to pick one thing?"
I guess what I'm trying to say is, say yes to new adventures. Have fun with your friends. This is the best time of our lives, go out and live. Do things that scare you. Make bad decisions (and hopefully a few good ones). Take a couple wrong turns. You never know where they might lead you.
I'll leave you with this final thought. As my good friend Kid President once said;
"This is life people. You got air coming through your nose, you got a heartbeat. That means it’s time to do something.
A poem: Two roads diverged in the woods and I took the road less traveled. And it hurt man! Really bad! Rocks, thorns, and glass… My pants broke! Why? Not cool Robert Frost!
But what if there really were two paths? I want to be on the one that leads to awesome. Just like that dude Journey said, “Don’t stop believing, unless your dream is stupid, then you should get a better dream.” I think that’s how it goes. Get a better dream then keep going, keep going, keep going, and keep going."
