I attended college to get a degree in hopes of a good life, or so everyone told me. What many people in my hometown did not realize was that a liberal arts education gave me a completely new perspective on the world. I refuse to work a 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. job until retirement—that is not living. I am not guaranteed breath until retirement age, let alone tomorrow. My struggle has always been “deciding” what I wanted to do with my life. I put the word "deciding" in quotations because I have come to realize that no one ever knows. Kids believe that adults have everything figured out. They also think that they are invincible, and that things will be different for them when they grow older. This is perhaps one of the more profound ideas I have learned transitioning into adulthood—none of us have it figured out. I still don’t know what I want to do with my life. However, I know what I am passionate about: helping people, the Appalachian Mountains, relationships with family and friends, animal welfare, food and environmental health, and sustainability. I never worry about job security because I can always get a job (let’s be honest, McDonald’s is always hiring). However, I am one to worry about locking myself into a dead-end job that’s a 9-5 in my comfort zone, and does not challenge me mentally or to make a differences in the world. I don’t want to go teach English overseas. I don’t want to become an Au Pair. So what is there for me to do? The economy is horrible and the future looks grimmer than ever for us Millennials. Here are some steps that I took and you can too in order to achieve the point of “deciding” what the heck to do with your life.
1. Make a list of ALL your goals. 
That’s right. I want you to list out all your goals, big or little. Write them down so that they are tangible and can be felt. Example (here are a few of my goals, so don't hate):
Adopt a shelter pet(s)
Have a home so that I can stop moving twice a year, every year
Learn to farm/garden and start to grow my own food and eventually enough for community members
Start my own nonprofit organization, educating and benefitting community members, especially kids on healthy and sustainable food/environmental practices
Grow my relationships with family and friends
Write policies
Travel the world
2. OK. You’ve written them down and now what? Draw lines and intersect those goals.
For example, attending a Master’s program in Public Policy/Administration would help prepare me for a career in the public sector, writing policy, or managing my own nonprofit organization. I have some friends who own a farm and I can ask them about work-shopping with them. For my adventurous side, I can save money every month for a trip to a place I’ve wanted to go (Grand Canyon, Cali, etc.)
3. Follow through on your plans. 
I cannot stress how important this step is. Tell your friends or a family member so they can hold you accountable. I’m afraid that this is where people fall behind.
4. Live without regrets. 
A life without regrets is a happy life. You respect others and hope that they treat you the same way.
So for a new college grad who is supposed to have her life together, I’m here to tell you I’ve only just begun. Share what your goals are and how you are going to make them happen!
