Every college student has been asked on multiple occasions “What do you want to do?” It’s a question that haunts our dreams and keeps us up late at night. It’s the question that, by senior year, you should have an answer to. But let me tell you something, it’s OK if you don’t know. Throughout my four years in college I have changed my major at least four times and have changed my answer to that question almost every semester. And that’s perfectly acceptable. Let me tell you why.
Everything Changes.
Including you. What you liked last year is not necessarily what you like this year. I can guarantee that the person you were two years ago is not the same person that you are today. There is nothing wrong with changing who you are and what you want to do. Everything is constantly shifting anyways. What was a highly needed job when you started college might not be needed anymore. And all of this is okay. It’s perfectly fine if you change your mind along the way, that just means that you are growing up. Change your mind. Mix it up. It’s all going to be okay.
Find Opportunities.
One good thing about not having a plan is that you get to have some amazing opportunities. I recently decided to take a job in Boston because I realized I have no idea what I want to do next. If I would have just went off and pursued a job I only kind of wanted, I wouldn’t be getting ready to pack up and move across the country. By not having a plan and not knowing what’s next you can explore these ideas and dreams that you never thought you could do. Want to take some time to travel? This is the perfect opportunity to do that! Want to spend some time doing mission work? Go right on ahead! These are the years where this is possible! So don’t sweat the details and start getting creative.
Don’t Settle.
Just because you’ve had this idea since you were a child to go into a particular field, doesn’t mean it’s what’s best for you now. You have to do what’s best for you. And if that means you take some time off to figure out what that is, then go right on ahead and take that time. There’s no sense going into something that is only minimally important to you. Look for the best option in a field that you love. If you’re doing what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. So screw whatever plans you and your parents made for you and find what makes you happy.
Be Happy.
Seriously, this is the most important thing. Your happiness is the only thing that matters, everything else will fall into place. Make sure that whatever you decide to do will make you happy in the long run. Sometimes that means you have to take a step back from what you’re doing and really think about what you want. Trust me, you’ll be thankful that you did this in the end. The last thing anyone wants is to wake up in 30 years and wonder where your life has gone. You want to enjoy every single moment, and that means finding a career that is everything you want it to be.
There will be people along the way who question every move you make. But as long as you are doing what you believe is best for you, it really doesn’t matter. Plans change, people change. Opportunities come, and opportunities go. It’s just the way the world works. So if you don’t have a plan at this exact moment in time, don’t sweat it. Just keep doing what makes you happy. You never know what may be waiting around the corner.