There are some of us who are fortunate enough to know what we want to do with our lives. But for the rest of us, being asked the foreboding question, “What do you want to do with your life?” is a bit like riding a rollercoaster. You can feel your stomach drop and your face contort as you struggle to provide an answer for the inquirer. Maybe your eye twitches a little bit. Then, in a five-second span, you begin to evaluate every decision you’ve ever made, and become anxious as you wonder what the future holds.
You can feel the sweat forming in your armpits, so you make up some vague but satisfactory answer, hoping that the conversation will flow in a different direction.
When I tell people I am a mass communications major, I often receive the, “Why Are You Even in College?” look. Perhaps they are right. It is possible that my degree will be virtually worthless when I exit the university. I’m probably not going to land a job earning $70,000-$80,000 a year starting salary right out of college. I am well aware that I will struggle to find a job in my field, and it might be quite a few years before I am comfortable financially.
Though, strangely, I am somewhat OK with this notion. Life is a constant series of struggles and grueling uphill battles, (with some joyous moments sprinkled in), and this is simply one of mine. Also, I thoroughly enjoy my major and cannot envision myself taking another path, even if future job prospects seem rocky.
In her autobiography, “Yes Please”, actress and comedian Amy Poehler gives a snippet of career advice, which is woven in between tales of her early days as a waitress and a local theater performer. She describes a career as this:
“Career is the stringing together of opportunity and jobs. Mix in public opinion and past regrets. Add a dash of future panic and a whole lot of financial uncertainty…Career is the thing that will not fill you up and never make you truly whole…”
She continues to liken a career to a bad boyfriend, explaining that it will never fail to let you down or cheat on you with someone else.
Her solution for dealing with career prospects/bad boyfriends? Healthy detachment. She explains that one must want to have a successful career, but not want it TOO much.
In other words, don’t be a try-hard. Pour most of your energy into your passion and what gives you happiness, especially at such an early stage in life. Don’t forget about your friends and family.
I find this advice to be extremely liberating as someone who has always been a career-driven individual. But I am just now starting to learn money cannot make up for lack of passion. Besides, I believe that if one is both diligent and patient, they can both money and a sense of purpose.
Now excuse me while I go cry over my student loans.
