In college, we typically get four years to decide what we want to do for the rest of our lives. For some, they walk into college knowing exactly what they want to do. For others, like me, our paths change while in college to follow a new career. Regardless on how we got here, we all have the same goal of finding our dream career.
Growing up, I had so many different ideas on what I wanted to be when I grew up, as I'm sure many others did. From a fashion designer, to a lawyer, and later to a teacher, I always followed the goal of finding what was going to make me happiest in life.
When I walked into Iowa State a little over a year ago, I was dead set on being a teacher. When it hit me that I was following someone else's dream for myself and was going to have to change career paths, I was terrified. I even considered staying where I was because I was so afraid of the change, but staying in something I wasn't happy with made absolutely no sense. Then I realized, many people stay in professions they are not happy with for so many different reasons, especially the salary.
Right after I changed to a child, adult, and family services major, I faced many people telling me how my future profession has little money involved. What those people do not know is that I spent countless hours looking through job descriptions and realized that having a career with little money is so much more important to me than having more money, but with a job that I hate. I have listened to people close to me talk about how much they hate their job, but they stay because of their salary. While the money may be enough for some people, I need a career that is going to help people and truly make a difference in someone's life. If that means that I have to make less money, but feel fulfilled emotionally and spiritually, then so be it.
Whether you are just graduating from college or close to retirement, I hope you all either have or find a job that you love.
