Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Micah. She was your typical little girl– silly, energetic, curious. One day, someone asked her, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Smiling up at them, she replied without hesitation, “A Princess, of course!” The person laughed and patted her on the head. “Don’t we all,” they chuckled. In that moment, Micah’s dream of being a professional princess was shattered. Perhaps she would have to find something else to do when she grew up. But what?
As the years went on, her peers began letting go of their “princess dreams” and striving for more realistic ones. Some wanted to be doctors, others teachers, lawyers, therapists. And while Micah eventually realized she too must relinquish her princess dream and replace it with an actual career, she had no idea which one fit her best.
Fast forward to high school graduation. Waiting in line before the ceremony processional, Micah hears fellow classmates chat excitedly about their plans: pre-med, art school, theater programs. Everyone seems to have their major and corresponding career path figured out. In fear of being asked, what are your plans? Micah hides under her over-sized graduation cap.
And now’s the part where I switch to first person. If you haven’t already guessed, this story is about me! As a college student, I often find myself thinking about what post-grad life holds. And while I am a notorious worrier, my recent thoughts on the subject have not been worries so much as questions.
I’m almost grown up, but I still don’t know exactly what I want to be…what does that say about me?
I think it says a few things. First, the fact that I could never envision myself with a typical job title like doctor, teacher, or lawyer means I don’t want to be in an established field. I want a job title with multiple words, something that takes a bit of explanation, like, “Creative Director of Content and Photography” or“Editor of Written Communication.” What do those even mean? Exactly.
Secondly, titles like that aren’t attained by following a step-by-step plan. I see myself following a circuitous path, full of twists and turns and trial and errors. Some people love having the instruction manual– first college, then graduate school, then work. But I’ve always been okay with uncertainty where my career is concerned. I find the uncertainty liberating and beneficial for my creativity.
Lastly, I don’t want to mold myself to fit a career. For instance, some people change themselves to fit into the ‘doctor mold,’ adjusting to what they think a doctor should be. But I want to be myself, and mold my career to fit me. Now I know that’s not always possible, or at least not right away. I will undoubtedly have to go through a few jobs that don’t quite fit until I reach the job that suits me. Sometime you have to figure out what you don’t want to do first before you can figure out what you do want to do. I’ve already checked quite a few options off the list, and continue narrowing it down with each new experience. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe in “dream jobs.” Every job has its down sides, but I do believe there is a job for me out there that will bring me both fulfillment and joy.
So if I may, let me offer a few words of wisdom to those of you in the same boat. Don’t stress out too much about choosing a major– you aren’t even allowed to buy beer yet, what makes you think you’re qualified to decide what to do for the rest of your life?! There is plenty of time to figure it all out– most likely the rest of your life in fact! But chances are you won’t become a professional princess. That’s too conventional for you anyways.
