Until I took Honors Biology last year, I wanted to be a psychiatrist. When I realized that I'd have to take plenty more biology courses, the profession seemed an impossible task. I also wanted to do something with educational technology, something in the area of Web 2.0 tools. This too seems so out of reach because web 2.0 tools are just getting started and by the time I enter the real world I have no idea how hard the competition will be or what to expect. I also want to be an English and drama teacher. But then again, I don't know if I can spend my entire life in school! hah.
The list of professions I've thought about by the age of 15 is pretty long, and I know there is no rush to choose right now, but I just can't help myself. This weekend I watched an episode of Oprah that featured Mary Kate and Ashely Olsen and truly changed my outlook.
They've been famous since before they could walk and have had plenty of ups and downs but they shared some great insight. Oprah had many successful young people on her show and they all said the same thing do what you're passionate about. This was comforting to me because I have so many passions that are continually growing and deepening. Even if I don't get into my dream school or take the 'ideal' path to my career, I can still be successful and live a fulfilling life.
This 'captured thought' was extremely important to me. I really do want to live in the moment and enjoy my childhood before it's gone. I have the rest of my life to work, I don't want to look back at my high school experience thinking I stressed over the small stuff too much. This Oprah espisode really helped me understand that regardless of what occupation I have as long as I love what I'm doing everything will be okay. I still can't, and am in no rush to, choose what job I want when I grow up. I do know that I want to live a happy, fulfilling life doing things I enjoy with people I love. And whether that be overly optimistic or not, I have plenty of faith that I will reach that goal.
3 comments:
I know exactly what you're talking about in this blog. I know that it's important to live in the present. I understand that there is a lot of time left to figure out what I want for the future, but thoughts about time still constantly plague me. I worry excessively and I know it. It just freaks me out when I think about all of the people I know and realize that a lot of them are even going to be married in the next ten years! Time is so bizarre, I miss being 5 years old-there was way less to think about.
I definitely agree with what you're saying. I'm always being asked about what I want to be when I grow up, but I never have a clue about how I am supposed to answer that. There is plenty of time to decide, and there will always be many chances to change a path we choose. My own brother, at 21 years old, has just decided to take the MCATs and go to medical school, even though he's been in business school for the majority of his college career so far.
Jamie,
I feel the same way as you. I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. There's a lot of things that I am interested in but for a number of reasons, I don't think they will be my future career. I agree that I should do something that I'm passionate about. But, I feel like there are a lot of obsticles preventing me from doing them in the future. Some things I'm simply not that good at, others I feel like I'm behind every one whose involed like in Jenna's blog about dancing. This brings me to the point where I ask myself, is good enough just to settle for something that I don't hate. If I can do that, then perhaps perhaps it will provide me with the means ($) to do the things I love later in life. Unfortunately, I can't see the future. So until the future becomes the present, I'm going to take your advice and try my best to enjoy the rest of my childhood by not stressing. Great post, btw.
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