Like a large majority of every kid growing up, my career goal switched from doctor to lawyer to princess and back to doctor (although I never gave up on the princess hope). But the one I stuck with the longest was doctor. In fact, I was certain it was the path for me.
I had it all planned out, I would go to college and be a biology major. I'd graduate, go straight into medical school, and come out with an offer for a surgical residency, preferably an orthopedic one. My life would be amazing and perfect and there was no way I would deviate from this plan. Then college happened.
I started out taking the recommended courses for someone who wanted to be on a pre-medical track: General Chemistry 1 and 2, Organic Chemistry 1 and 2, and Intro Biology. I had taken so many chemistry courses that they caused the first deviation from my plan. I declared a chemistry major and bragged about how much I loved organic chemistry and how I didn't find it as difficult as every made it sound (partially true).
And then, first semester sophomore year, I decided I was near invincible. Like the smart college student I was, I decided taking Calculus 2, Physics 1, Organic chemistry 2 (and a religion course) was a totally great idea. Now if you know these classes well, I'm assuming you're cringing thinking of taking those three courses at one time. Let me tell you: don't. do. it. I ended up dropping physics, which made me feel like a failure. I struggled through calc, which also made me feel like a failure. And to top it off, I realized the rest of the chemistry major was basically a watered-down calculus class. But, despite my stumbles, I forged on.
It was the next semester when it hit me during a biology exam: I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want to spend the majority of my life in medical school or a residency program. I didn't like these "hard sciences" as much as I thought I would. It wasn't for me, and my grades were showing it. So, like any self-respecting 20-year-old, I went and cried to my Dean about how my life was falling apart and I was lost. And you know what she said to me? "Rachel, it doesn't matter. You don't need to know what you want to do the moment you come to college. Hell, you don't even have to know when you graduate!"
And that is what I want to impart to you. You don't have to have everything lined up. You don't have to be in a major that you think will make you the most money. Look at me now, I'm a psychology major and I enjoy every minute of it. Switching to a psychology major doesn't mean I failed. It doesn't mean I won't get a job. It means I'm finally listening to me and doing what makes me happy. I have a poster about my desk in my dorm room. It says "Get lost, Find yourself" and that's exactly what I'm doing.
Have faith in the path ahead of you, that the red carpet of your life will unroll as you walk down it. For all I know, my career goal of princess was the right one. But I'll just have to wait and find out.
