Taking the Road Less Traveled
March 18, 2008
We’ve talked a lot on this blog about the fact that our graduation date is fast-approaching. We’ve even used the word “looming” to describe the feeling. And while we remain optimistic, I have recently talked to several colleagues who are not so optimistic about graduating and immediately going into the real world. Many say, “There’s just so much more I want to accomplish.” I am here to tell you quite simply that this attitude is OKAY. In fact, I think it should be applauded.
Based on conversations I’ve had, here are some signs that starting a career straight out of college might not be for you:
- You’re not sure what you want to do (maybe you’re not even sure that what you majored in is right for you) .
- You feel you need more life experiences.
- You feel burnt-out (and not just in that I’m-lazy-and-just-want-to-go-to-the-beach kind of way) and think your body and mind would benefit from time off.
- You love to travel.
- You’re having a difficult time finding a job in the area where you want to live.
- You want to make a difference.
- And (perhaps) most importantly: You can afford to go a few more months without that big $30,000+ a year paycheck.
I found a great Web site that has a fairly comprehensive list of post-graduation alternatives. It includes things like mission trips, volunteer organizations and teaching opportunities. My point here is not to freak yourself out if you’re not sure about what you want right now. It’s better to wait than to do something solely because it’s what other people want. After all, studies are showing people are working longer and retiring later. So if you don’t have the career you want at 22, ease your mind by knowing you’ve got at least until age 65 to figure it out.
As I said, the link above is only fairly comprehensive. Is there something else you’re doing that you want people to know about? Are you taking the road less traveled? Leave us a comment and share your wisdom with others.
-Haley
Entry Filed under: Career Indecision, Leadership, Post-grad Alternatives. Tags: Career Indecision, post-graduation alternatives.
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1.
John | March 19, 2008 at 3:37 am
“After all, studies are showing people are working longer and retiring later. So if you don’t have the career you want at 22, ease your mind by knowing you’ve got at least until age 65 to figure it out.”
I love what you said there. Very few people have that mind set and I find the gap there to be generational. Where our parents and grandparents might not always agree with the idea of putting off a 9 to 5 job to pursue something important or meaningful to us, we’re able to weigh the good and the bad in a rational manner without giving up on our dreams.
It’s just a matter of convinving yourself you’re worth the time it’ll take to figure out the path that’s right for you, and also realize that it doesn’t have to be just one path, but there are many and some may wind up leading into others.
I took the road less traveled by pursuing stand up comedy, and currently, acting. I got an e-mail one time from a well known comedian complementing me on my act and encouraging me to keep going, but what really stood out to me in the e-mail was the way he ended it by simply saying, “Enjoy your path.” It really opened my eyes because it made me realize that not only were there paths you take to get to a certain career choice or place in your life, but there are paths within those paths you carve out individually for yourself.
I think I just said path like 8 times in the last two paragraphs. I’m going to stop rambling and leave you with some quotes I found to be inspiring, and that I find relatively poignant where this blog is concerned.
College is something you complete. Life is something you experience. So don’t worry about your grade, or the results or success. Success is defined in myriad ways, and you will find it, and people will no longer be grading you, but it will come from your own internal sense of decency.
-Jon Stewart
There’s a time when you have to separate yourself from what other people expect of you, and do what you love. Because if you find yourself 50 years old and you aren’t doing what you love, then what’s the point?
–Jim Carrey
2.
John | March 19, 2008 at 3:43 am
And by the way thanks for blogging. This is really great to have students like yourself addressing something we all think about but aren’t really sure what the ‘right’ way to handle it is.
3.
Liz | March 19, 2008 at 9:29 am
I am one of those students who is COMPLETELY freaked out about graduating in the next 6 weeks. I have always thought I would have a job by now and that my “adult” life would be beginning. However, after talking with family and friends and after reading this blog I am starting to take a different attitude towards life. I love that statistic about people retiring and working later because it is true, we have the rest of our lives to work and to have a career and taking an extra year or two (or more) may not be the worst idea. Though I would love to find a job within the next couple months, I know that I have many many years ahead of me to work and perhaps I need some more life experiences before I find my dream job.
Good blog, thanks for taking a different approach to life after graduation!
4.
Haley | March 24, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Thank you John and Liz for your comments!
John- everything you said is true. It’s about time people realize that they are worth taking the time to figure out what they truly enjoy doing. Maybe, as you said, the Millennial generation is more accustomed to doing so.
Liz- I’m glad that you have found a way to be less stressed about life after graduation. Keep finding people who will help you stay realistic and enjoy your last few weeks before you graduate!
5.
Meaghan | March 27, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Up until this past summer, I had planned on going to Veterinary school after college. For the two years prior, I knew my heart wasn’t in it, but I didn’t know what else I would do. It seemed like I was the only one who felt this way. Since changing my mind and deciding to take some time off before moving on to grad school, I have come to find out that I am far from alone in my uncertainty.
I love what you said about the “burnt-out” feeling. I think that’s legitimate for so many people. It used to be that you could get a decent job without any sort of college education. Nowadays, everyone has to have at least an associates degree to get a job that pays enough to “get by”. Some people just aren’t made for that kind of education and I can see how so many feel burnt-out by the end of four years of college.
I used to hate the idea of taking time off before heading into the next phase of life, mostly out of fear that I would never go back. However, I can’t see starting something else that I would be “stuck” in for at least two more years. I would encourage anyone who is feeling this way to take that time off and work at a simple job to save some money or do some kind of volunteer work…take time to do something that requires a little less brain-power and use that energy to figure out where you want to go next. It’s okay to hit the “pause” button every once in awhile.