erin41290

 I remember very clearly what it felt like when I received my first acceptance letter into college. I remember the apprehension of opening that envelope, that large, heavy white envelope that served as the deciding factor of my future.  Although they always say the big envelopes mean good news, nothing is guaranteed and the feeling I felt opening that package left me curious and in complete and utter fear. Although I was worried about the schools decision, I was also scared of the transition from my carefree high school days to the full time position of college student, where no teacher worried about whether I remembered there was a paper due on Friday, who cared that they were placing three months worth the material (that we covered in two weeks) on one exam or who cared if I was present for their class.  The fact that I had to really figure out where my life was headed now scared me the most. For years the question has been proposed to me in several ways. When I was younger it was that wondrous question, full of possibilities and dreams and absolutely preposterous ideas. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Oh, I had a different answer every year of elementary school. I wanted to be the worlds greatest vet, a 3rd grade teacher, I think possibly even an astronaut. The possibilities were endless and the fact that one day I would actually have to make a final decision never seemed to cross my mind.

Now that I am a second semester freshman, I’m still pondering this decision. I have not a clue where my life is headed. I’m taking all these classes, waiting for something to click, to feel right. I’m waiting for a class where I feel l belong. But here I am, 30 credits in and I feel like I’m no further in than I was ten years ago. Do I choose a career that makes the big bucks or do I show up everyday to a job I love, but is not my ideal salary.  I know this is a question that passes every college bound -young adults mind. I love to write but the salary of a journalist is not so hot. I have considered the Medical Department, it pays very well and has fairly high job security, which is obviously extremely important these days considering the state of our economy. My problem here lies soley in my dislike of hospitals, blood and needles, all of which are involved in this profession. I fear I’m too naive to be a High School educator and my lack of  interest in Science and History has left me with little options that I’m aware of. I’ve only ever known those key careers. The ones our teachers talked about all through school. You could be a teacher, a doctor, a nurse, a lawyer, all these lovely, yet generic career choices. What about marine biology and meteorology and nutrition. All these different and varied careers that I was never introduced to. I know that there is a world of possibilities out there, I am just not familiar with them all. I think high school counselors need to start doing a better job offering information about career choices. They need to let students experience more than just the “norm”. Everyone knows they could grow up to be a police officer or a teacher, but we don’t know that we can grow up to be a successful radiologist, forensic scientist or even a zoo-ologist. So I guess I need to just dream big and keep searching for something that makes me feel complete. I don’t need to be wealthy, just happy.  

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