Before I progress with the topic at hand, I'd like to direct this portion to those still in undergraduate school. While you still face uncertainty, I don't think you will or can truly recognize how hazy your future is until you graduate college. While the thought of future endeavors may pester you, the reality doesn't strike until your diploma is received. As much as I thought I worried about my future while in school, a blank of comfort surrounded me as I knew my biggest worry was finishing my degree. School offers a temporary escapism of what is to come. I am not trying to perturb anybody, and again I don't think you can realize the magnitude yet anyways, but I am just saying make sure you enjoy yourself and really, truly discover yourself. Experience. Experience. Experience. Don't just settle because life doesn't work that way.
Types of graduates:
Off to Grad School, Medical School, etc.
These individuals may have prolonged worry, but I would have to argue a certain sense of apprehension and second guessing remains. While many in this category emphatically have declared, "This is what I want to do with my life!" they are taking a huge leap of faith. Going to these various schools comes with rewards, but also many risks. For someone going to Grad School: While people preach higher education, companies seem to stress experience, experience, experience. So, while you may be receiver more book knowledge than your future job competitors, others are gaining real-world experience that is directly applicable to the job market while avoiding further debt. Furthermore, while you may have had internships or experiences that lead you to believe this Master's degree is right for you, you are making the leap that this degree will land you the job you desire. The uncertainty of knowing what degree I would like to pursue has kept me away from Grad School, for now.
For those going to Medical School, Law School, etc: You're making a huge commitment with no much greater certainty than others. Yes, lawyers, doctors, etc. will always be needed. People will always be sick; people are constantly trying to make lawsuits for looking at them the wrong way. However, you aren't the only person realizing what a "great" career your career could be. Furthermore, passing school doesn't earn you a job. You have to actually learn the material and pass tests to become certified. You aren't guaranteed to succeed, and if you happen to fail, you must face the reality that you spent how many years pursuing something in vain.
Job fresh off of Graduation
This graduate would presumably feel the most comfortable, right? I mean, think about it: just graduated, already employed, real money, paying off debts, and feeling righteously independent for possibly the first time in your life. Sounds pretty good to me. But wait, what about the uncertainties this graduate faces? For instance, job location. While having a job right away is pretty awesome, one must consider job location. If this graduate stays around where they graduated, they get to stick around their friends but not around his or her family. His or her family and friends could be in the same place, but then the meandering thought of, "Do I really want to stay here my whole life?" creeps in. The graduate could get a job back home and be around their family, but then those four years of friends built and seemingly fortified become uncertainties. Yes, texting and skype make it easy to stay in touch, but we all know that isn't the same. Do you really want to start over again? You could rekindle lost friendships from high school, but will they be the same? Those friends have shared the same experiences you've had with your college friends. There is also the person who goes to a completely foreign place on a whim. It's the traveling and adventure you've dreamt of, but once you get there will it be lonely? With new territory comes new people. You potentially lose your safety net and you've just committed yourself to money but loneliness. Going further, while people switch jobs quickly and often, as the market seems to be every (wo)man for his or herself, one still has to determine if this job is right for them. Okay, I get it, you want money. Some want to live the luxurious life. But, at least for me I'd ask, is money more important than happiness? Do you enjoy this job? Could you see yourself doing the job for forty years? Will it make you miserable and thus project this miserable nature onto others? While it's certainly great to have a job, I would imagine many thoughts still go through these individuals' minds.
Jobless, uncertain, but hopeful
Many graduates fall into this category. While plausibly every recent graduate has many thoughts going through their heads, I'd argue this category of graduate may have slightly more (just because they have more time on their hands to think). *I'm not suggesting only college graduates have worries, I'm merely trying to get/give insight* To me, a frontrunner thought is: was my degree worth it? Or, should I have gotten a different degree? Personally, that's been on my mind for multiple reasons. For one, while I'm qualified for many positions, and am currently hoping to get into a Marketing Specialist position, companies often look for certain majors because they are obviously the best. While I know in my heart I can get the job done, it's difficult with so many recent graduates fighting for the same positions. Furthermore, while I know what positions I am qualified for and what positions I could get based on education and experience, I am struggling to imagine them making me truly happy. I keep wondering if I should have gone into something different like nutrition and personal training. It causes a lot of regret and negativity that does not help make these jobless days go easier. Also during this time, it makes you question your experiences, what you are applying for, and why companies won't even look at you. To me, this biggest disappointment is spending so much time on an application and a company doesn't even have the courtesy to send you a generic email letting you know. Instead, these graduates who many times spend hours a day applying are lost in limbo wondering if or when the company has made a decision. These individuals also have to decide whether to move back home or trust in their instincts and take a risk. This decision is not an easy one to make. Continuing on, with so many sales jobs calling constantly, it's hard to know who is real and who is fake, what job to take seriously, and if you should stop waiting for a good fit and take the first thing you find. With the uncertainty of your present state, many may just grab for anything even if it makes them miserable.
Intersecting Uncertainty with Streams of Hope
While I could certainly think of or discuss more categories, I think these three cover the vast majority and the uncertainties presented overlap and intertwine. While I truly believe we have some uncertainty constantly shadowing us, I think we need to realize that we are not alone. People have fears and doubts throughout life. While the job market may have different, and circumstances may have been different, I'd argue our parents when through similar doubt and can relate somewhat. Maybe some can't, but that's why you have siblings, friends, teachers, peers, etc. At this point, I would hope you've made some connection with someone who gets you or you can relate to. I find it interesting that people who have recently graduated call themselves "old." While it is mostly said jokingly, I think some take it to heart. I mean, think about it. It's time to be truly independent; it's time to live your life. You aren't in college anymore; the real world is calling. The thing is, we are 22 years old. 22. Think about that. People live older and older nowadays. While we can't control natural law, most of us are still young in life. We need to understand the uncertainty is there, but take it one step at a time. Your life is not determined yet. Many people have gone back and changed, you can too. I'm not suggesting we all run away from our current paths and change now, I'm merely stating that the you today isn't destined to be the you tomorrow.
As graduates, we are in a great position right now. We still control our destinies. Thus, I urge you, I implore you, to not freak out so much. Rather, I urge you to really find your passion, your drive, what makes you happy. I get that money is a big issue, and you want to be a big spender, but I believe the key to a great life is stability, comfortability, and most of all happiness. If you can enjoy the life you live, everything else will be okay. Be okay with who you are, with what you do. At this time, figure out what makes you want to dance. Think about it: You're going to be doing a job or a type of job for a long time, don't you want to enjoy doing it? Don't you want to be able to tell others about your day and not cringe? If you find that currently, or in the future, things aren't what you'd hoped, know that it's okay to change. You're life isn't over and your destination is not found just because you recently graduated. Don't sell yourself short. I don't know about you, but I for one want to enjoy my life, enjoy those around me, and dance and sing randomly whenever possible. I'm scared about my future, yes, but I know that I have the support and will power to find comfortability while maintaining happiness.
Last/Post Thoughts
Life is beginning to move really fast. After each milestone, we sit and wonder where the time went. But I just want to reiterated, we are not old--our life is not yet defined. Just do yourself a favor and think back to when you were a kid and used to dream about growing up. I'd guess that many to most of you dreamt about doing something that either made you really happy or made others really happy. Obviously, some of our dreams were quixotic. I know I cannot actually be a Pokemon trainer (sigh); however, it's the thought of finding happiness that we need to hold onto. To those still in college, don't be afraid to seek out happiness or find your true passion. To those who I've discussed above, I'm not claiming that you're all unhappy or you're all on bad paths. Many graduates will find their current path fits everything they could hope for (or mostly). I'm merely stating that regardless of your situation, uncertainty will creep in and that's okay. Just don't let your current situation dictate your life if you don't want it to. Remember, while situations change and time goes on, you can always find a passion or a path to happiness. As you get older, your circumstances might change and your opportunity might not be there to change careers, but right now you have the time and ability to make your life a good one. If you do get stuck in a job later in life that unfortunately circumstances won't let you leave then you just need to surround yourself with positive feelings elsewhere. Trepidation is normal, but accepting defeat and letting fear control you only leads to paths filled with glass. In the words of the Kid President: Be awesome and don't be afraid to dance!
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