An Open Letter To The College Student Without A Career Path
Start writing a post
Student Life

To The Undergraduate Who's Still Trying To Find A Career Path

I know it's vague, but oh so relatable in terms of figuring out a career path (or figuring out anything, pretty much).

93
To The Undergraduate Who's Still Trying To Find A Career Path
Kelsey Dietrich

It's a pretty intimidating feeling to suddenly decide that you don't actually know what you want to do anymore. It is like the world, as you knew it, has come crashing down around you. This is especially difficult to accept as reality because you have seemed so aligned with your intentions. At one point in time, you had a plan in place of what you wanted to achieve and the means by which you would pursue it.

At least you thought that you had a plan in place.

You had a general idea of what steps you would need to take in order to get to your ultimate career goal. As a result, you diligently planned each move as an undergraduate, thus far, to take the steps necessary to move you in the general direction of this goal.

At least you thought that you were taking all the necessary steps.

You researched this career path for countless hours. You have constructed a spreadsheet with all of the most recent prerequisite courses that you are required to take to get into certain graduate programs that have degrees in your field. The list that you keep stored on your computer is always being checked as you inquire about the opportunities that are going to make you stand out on your graduate school application as well as making sure that you are checking off the basics that admissions counselors are most certainly going to be looking for.

At least you thought that you had done your research.

You had the passion to pursue this long-researched career path after looking into it over the course of a year or maybe several. In your head, you could place yourself in the shoes of a professional in this field, and you enjoyed it.

At least you thought that you had the passion to carry you through this career option.

It's a really good idea to explore areas of study, especially when you are looking for a field that suits you. It's also a really good idea to gain exposure to certain careers that you think are potentially for you. This is important because, oftentimes, the way we imagine things does not always align with reality perfectly. While this is OK and not something to get upset about, it is also a good realization to have.

Once you gain shadowing experience with a specific occupation, then you would have truly dipped your toes into this field. You will have an actual idea of what your daily duties would be as a professional in this field. Even though you have not completed specific training for this career and also the fact that working in this occupation is vastly different from merely shadowing somebody else in the field, these moments are crucial to determining if you can truly see yourself doing this type of work

And if you can't, that's OK.

It's jarring to have this thought, but it is better to have it sooner rather than later. It may seem like everything you have worked so hard to complete as an undergrad preparing for a specific career is now thrown away; what a waste of time. Yet, this has not been a waste of your time by any means. You have determined that something no longer fits your career goals, life values, and professional pursuits. This has been an incredibly important use of your time.

Life is full of setbacks and unexpected events. The world will not end just because you once thought that you knew what you wanted to do after your undergraduate studies. This is just another learning experience for you to work through as you get a little more serious about contemplating what your life goals are.

If you are the undergraduate who is asking what to do when you just don't know what you want to do anymore, do not panic.

Everyone goes through a moment in time when they just don't know. Use this time to really focus your time and energy exploring what all is out there.

You truly don't know what you may find until you start searching.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

39405
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

23940
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950047
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

128755
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments