I came to college with the life plan of majoring in psychology, graduating undergrad, immediately going to graduate school to earn a masters or Phd in psychology, to then work as a clinical psychologist.
Fall of sophomore year I came to the realization that psychology was not the right path for me.
I love advocating and expanding my knowledge of mental health– but personally, I don't want to be a college student for ten years.
After I realized this, I had a mental breakdown at the reality that I wasted three semesters taking psychology classes, when I could have been working towards a different degree– and that now, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.
Six months ago, I went into a career counselor's office hoping it would help me figure out what I wanted to do with my life and which major would help me get there.
Spoiler, it didn't help at all.
I ended up switching my major to English, and it was the best decision I have made while at college.
I discovered that I have a passion for writing, specifically creative writing.
Upon discovering this, I reflected on my childhood and realized that I always knew writing was something I wanted to pursue.
I remembered being in third grade and getting an assignment to write a short story. I wrote about a wacky, Halloween adventure, and I remember my teacher telling me that writing stories was my strength and to continue it. She even made me read it to my parents at conferences (embarrassing).
I even remember an English teacher freshman year of high school, whom I looked up to, told me she could see me working at a fashion magazine.
I remember thinking about how fun and creative that would be, but I also remembered thinking that the odds of being successful and having a career in that profession would be slim, and again, not practical.
After this recollection, I began thinking, what is the obsession I have with having a practical career? And why did I think this way even when I was younger and was supposed to have big dreams and was supposed to have the 'I could be anything' mentality.
Is it because society puts such an emphasis on being successful and having an impressive career?
And is it because being successful and having an impressive career can mean big salary and big salary means happiness?
Is it because there is an expectation that the job you have out of college should be the job you spend the rest of your professional life doing.
A year ago, I believed all of the above and was already experiencing anxiety relating to post-college life.
I believed that if I didn't have it all figured out by the time I graduated, that meant I was a failure.
But now, I feel empowered and okay about the fact I still don't know what I am going to do.
I now get excited over the fact I could apply for a vast variety of jobs.
I won't have a teaching degree that means I can only be a teacher or a nursing degree that means I can only be a nurse.
There are jobs and opportunities for English majors everywhere, and the thought of being able to travel and move around– until I find the place I fall in love with– is exciting to me.
I am open to the vast opportunities and options that are out there.
I don't believe I need to be ready to settle down and have it all figured out right when I get my diploma.
Maybe I'll take time and work as a teacher in the Peace Corps– something I've been researching and interested in.
Maybe I'll work as a journalist.
Maybe I'll work as an assistant at a publishing house and work my way up.
Maybe I'll go to grad school and get a teaching license.
Maybe I'll work multiple jobs at once.
Maybe I'll write a book.
Maybe I'll even work at a fashion magazine.
All I I do know is that I don't want to limit myself to one life plan that I determine when I am in my early twenties– I want to have as many experiences as I can before I settle down.