As a kid, I remember people frequently asking me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?" Even now, years later as a sophomore in college, I anticipate that same question (or a variation of it) every time I meet someone new. Whether it's a supervisor, fellow student, or a relative I haven't seen for years, they all want to know what I plan to do with my life. Where will I work right after college? How will I translate my degree into the workplace? And recently, I encountered a slightly less common question (in my experience): what's your dream job?

During my childhood, I had numerous “dream jobs" for the future: paramedic, baker, author, musician, and tennis player, to name a few. To me, the sky was the limit. I didn't limit myself to one field, or to something I thought I'd be “good" at, or to what would pay the bills; I simply dreamed of doing whatever struck my fancy and matched my current interests.

That was then. Now I'm preparing to enter the professional workplace, and I've needed to more deeply and maturely consider where I see myself in the next few years. I've tried to retain my childlike wonder and excitement for the future while also considering practical matters. In particular, I've tried to figure out what field I should prepare for so that I can plan and hone my jobs, internships, class schedule, and skills accordingly. In short, I'm trying to figure out where in the workplace I fit in. However, within the past few weeks, I've come to a realization that I probably should have made long ago: I don't actually have a dream job.

I absolutely love my major (English), and there are many things I'm passionate about, including politics, science fiction, writing, current events, and film. But even though I have a vast array of interests, I don't have a specific career or job that I am determined to get at all costs. And honestly, I'm okay with that.

After all, my lack of a dream job doesn't mean I lack passion. I am interested in many things, all of which I would love to incorporate into a career one day. When people ask what job I'd like to have, I generally respond along the lines of, “I'm not sure, but something involving writing." I love to write, and probably any job involving that will satisfy me. I would also love to work in politics, and one day I would like to write science fiction novels on the side. These are some general ideas for what I'd like to do, and I'm okay leaving my options open.

Furthermore, not having a dream job doesn't mean I lack motivation. I am not lazy or apathetic. I enjoy working hard and dream of doing something meaningful and lasting. I don't want my life to waste away while I do nothing but sit around eating, sleeping, and watching TV. I just don't yet know exactly how I'll make a difference with my life, but I know I definitely want to.

In my opinion, not having a dream job has several benefits. Perhaps most importantly, I feel like I can be happy in a variety of careers, not just one plan that I've mapped out for myself. Thus, no matter where I end up in life, I feel confident that I will be satisfied and fulfilled in my career. I can avoid the disappointment that comes with not getting into a dream career. Also, I won't have to feel bitter when I'm stuck in an entry level job because I will simply enjoy keeping busy and honing my skills. I feel so free knowing I can apply to a variety of jobs after college and find joy in any one of them.

If you're like me – not knowing exactly what you want to do in life – please know that it's okay. You can still be passionate about certain topics and motivated to do something important without knowing exactly how that's going to play out. Being flexible can give you the freedom to find joy wherever you end up in life. Just keep honing your skills, exploring your interests, and preparing to find a job. Stay confident that one day it'll all make sense. Like most people, you'll probably change in the future, and staying open to many possibilities will increase your chances of finding your dream job – even if it's not your dream right now.