I place too much emphasis on every decision. Every decision will determine my future. I never had a direct career goal. I never said "When I grow up I will be a teacher, doctor, lawyer, etc.", but yet I feel like I had a direct purpose that I was not cognizant to yet.
Now that I am applying for jobs as a post- Master's degree holder, I find myself drawn to professions in higher education. Is this because decisions I have made along my path have forced me down this path? Or is this truly a life calling that I should venture forth with? Or could I find a career in higher education and move on if it is no longer satisfying? Why does every decision I make have to be THE decision!?
Jobs available in higher education are right up my alley. I read the description and I jump for joy saying "YES! This is a job that I will excel at!" I read job descriptions from private sector and I occasionally scoff my nose and question what their social purpose truly is. Jobs in government positions are interesting, but when I find the one qualification that I don't have, I immediately steer away and jump back into my comfort zone of higher education. But if I had interned with a for-profit organization or learned finance skills in a public organization, maybe I would be fearful of the higher ed jobs. Run away! You don't have those skills! So maybe, every decision I make does have lasting impact.
Chelsie, It is funny how spur of the moment activities in our lives steer us in unplanned directions. My ASU history professor knew of my interest in environmental issues and of my dissatisfaction with career opportunities afforded by the Sustainability program. She suggested looking into the Urban Planning program with an emphasis on Environmental Planning. (I had never even heard of Planning) Consequently, I have a Bachelors of Science in Urban Planning. Then during an undergrad internship with the EPA, my sponsor suggested that I look into Public Administration and now I am almost done with my MPA. It is strange how our life is impacted by those we touch. Good luck with your future.
ReplyDeleteI can relate, but on a bit of a different level. I have always wanted to do so many different things that being tied to one particular idea seemed (and seems) a bit daunting. I have so many interests that I feel like a bit of a “Renaissance Woman” for lack of a better term. Certainly our decisions have lasting impact and shape our lives (you should check out the movie “Sliding Doors” with Gwyneth Paltrow - and oldie but goodie), and I certainly think that our educational experience is a sort of enculturation itself that may create bias for a certain path. However, I have come back to school from the "real world" and maintain a “real world” job, and I remember the decision to return to school being incredibly daunting with the costs and benefits spinning through my brain. In the end, I am so grateful that I walked through the fear and did what I thought was sort of impossible because I have surprised myself by learning that I am much more capable than I thought and that we are all always learning. Best of luck to you Chelsie on your journey. You will be amazing no matter what you choose!
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to second guess yourself and say in hind sight if I did this or that I could take advantage of a particular opportunity. Remind yourself that you are doing something you enjoy and embrace the things you are good at. The other advice I have had to force myself to follow is that any opportunity you want you can find a way to sell yourself and prove you fit. Don't be afraid to go for something if you want it.
ReplyDeleteOn choosing a career path I feel the exact same way as you, I never as a child said, "this is what I want to be!" Now that I'm about to graduate college, I'm in the exact same boat as I was as a kid. The part that worries me with choosing a career path is that I feel if I choose something I don't like, I will farther behind my competition if I change fields. When I look at job descriptions and min qualifications almost all ask for years of experience in the particular field. I have to choose soon, my feeling right now is that the best available job for me in our down economy will end up choosing my career path for me.
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