What do you want to do when you grow up?
Did that sentence suddenly fill you existential dread? Does it bring about thoughts of having to put yourself in a tiny box the rest of your life and then having to do whatever you choose to do until you get old and retire and then before you know it, death is knocking on your doorstep and it's all over? Well hopefully not. Because it shouldn't be like that. A question like that should be a fun and exciting one to answer, and here's why.
Passion. Yes, I know, it might sound a TAD cheesy, but hear me out. If you're going to put yourself in a career where you want to be happy, then dammit you should be following your passions!
If you like to debate, find a job where you can do that! If you like to sing, then find a career where you can do that! IF you like to (or want to) find a way to cook all day long and eat amazing food, then do that! The thing is, if you find something that you like, and are REALLY good at it, then someone will inevitably pay you to do that! I can feel the skepticism, even as I write this from future readers, let me explain.
When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do, I was stuck at a roadblock. I knew what I enjoyed doing on campus, and I enjoyed going to classes, but I didn't see any future in making a career out of going to school (as many a snide relative will often say). So I reached out to a recent graduate friend for some advice, and here's what she told me.
List everything you enjoy doing. Make a list and look at what you really enjoy doing. This list should be everything from talking, singing, hanging with friends, writing, etc. Then look at what can be turned into a skill useful in the workforce. That could be communication from talking and writing, or leadership skills from being involved with a student organization, anything really. Then after you've done that, look at what careers are available and what skills you have that would aid in that career choice.
So, in summation, my dear readers, figure out what you're good at, find a job where you can do what you love and the money will come. Sure, it's a hokey little story, but hey, I did that and now I've applied to grad school. So if this 21-year-old history major, who up until recently had no idea what he was doing with his life can figure it out, then you can too. So follow your passions, and make your mark on the world, because you're not getting any younger, and the world sure isn't going to wait for you.
