In a cookie cutter world people graduate high school, attend 4 years of college where they receive a diploma, and then venture out into the working world to find a job in their field. In many cases however, it doesn’t happen quite like this. Some might go to trade school where they learn a skill that isn’t taught at a traditional 4 year undergrad institution, some might switch majors halfway through their schooling and lengthen their time attending college, and some might even take a year or two off to really figure their shit out and decide what they want to do with the rest of their life.

I entered college with the hopes and dreams of making big bucks being a physical therapist. I had graduated high school in the top 10 of my class, and was ready to take on 6 years of grueling classes and the nightmare of all night study sessions. I had wanted to be a teacher my whole life, but where’s the money in that, right? My 18 year old self was rudely awakened after the first week of chemistry, bio, and anatomy, and I realized that I in fact hated science classes. I quickly switched my track to the one I was meant for, and landed myself in general education classes that would lead me on my journey to becoming a teacher.

Four years whizzed by and before I knew it I was decorating my graduation cap and planning a graduation trip to my favorite place on earth, Disney World. I walked across the stage at the ripe age of 21, and happily accepted a job teaching 7th grade English in my hometown days after my 22nd birthday and about a month after graduation. Here I was, fresh out of college with a salaried job and health benefits. At this point, I still lived at home with my Mom and Dad.

Having a “big girl” job is everything that I imagined it would be. It’s hard work, rewarding, and gives me a sense of security. It’s nice not to have to choose between spending my money on buying groceries for the week or going out with my friends on Friday night. It’s nice to be able to pay all of my bills and still have money leftover to go get my nails done. It’s nice being able to fill my tank of gas all the way to full instead of putting just enough in at the pump to get me home. It has given me a major sense of responsibility and independence.

All of these things I am so fortunate to have fallen into at such a young age also have their cons. The first day of school I met 60 fresh new faces of children who were a mere 9 or 10 years younger than me. Imagine if I had taught high school? How much respect do you think a 22 year old right out of college would get from a group of 18 year old seniors? I found myself standing in front of a classroom of kids who wanted me to be their friend instead of their authority figure. My first year was a whirlwind, but now, halfway through my second year I am more confident in my ability of getting 12 and 13 year olds to take me seriously and give me the respect that a teacher should have.

There’s also the aspect of the fact that I am still a 23 year old. I like to do things that 23 year olds do. Now, most Friday nights you can find me in bed reading a book or watching Netflix, but I do on occasion like to go out and have a drink or 7 with my friends and stumble home at 2am. It’s hard to act like a normal 23 year old, however, when you have to avoid certain places in fear of seeing parents of students, or even your actual students. Nothing is more mortifying than having a group of your kids walk up to your table at a local sports bar right as you are ordering a beer. But Thirsty Thursday?? Those days are long over for me. On weeknights I’m usually in bed by 8:00 with my cat PJ’s on.

Overall, there’s really no right or wrong way of how or when you start a career. Some people take years, while others, like myself, are in the right place at the right time and get started soon after college. Though being 23 and being “grown up” has it’s ups and downs, I wouldn’t trade my career for the world.