When I first enrolled at Spelman College as a biology major, I was confident that I would become a marine biologist, helping to advocate for aquatic animals and increase the conservation efforts around the world. I was so sure about this field until I talked to someone in it. Once I heard a marine biologist’s stories, I realized that it would be a tall task for me to be on a boat that much. Another obstacle that came with the job that I could not hurdle was the very strict limit on hairstyles I could wear as a marine biologist. As someone who deeply values creativity, I use my hair as a meaningful outlet for self-expression. After accepting that marine biology was not my field, I started exploring unique jobs in my major. That is when I became interested in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and picked up a public health minor to learn more about how to help at-risk populations. While pursuing that career, I realized that I didn’t want to work in the medical field or go to medical school. I then continued to search for my dream field, some ups and some downs, sometimes feeling like a puzzle piece that didn’t know its place.
During my three years as an undergraduate student, I considered every field imaginable, but nothing felt right. I keep asking myself, “What do I enjoy doing for the rest of my life?” and “What if I pick the wrong career path?” I wanted to be in a field that did not feel like work because of my deep love for my career. While asking all these questions, I also felt behind when I looked around at my peers and saw them starting to get internships and connections in the fields they wanted to work in. If anything that I’ve said resonates with you in this article is for you. Just because you don’t know what you’re going to do doesn’t mean you’re behind; it is a normal part of life to be uncertain.
College is often described as the foundation for your adult life as you know it. We as students often feel the pressure of having the rest of our lives figured out within these four years, but that is simply unrealistic.
Like me, you may come into your freshman year and by your second month, you want to go in a different direction. Use this time as your experimentation! Sit in classes that interest you for the day, talk to another student in the desired major you are interested in, or talk to your advisor. Though there are a lot of things that are developed in college that people carry throughout their lives, it does not mean that this has to be their identity.
As a student of the Number One HBCU according to the U.S. News and World Report, I am accustomed to feeling inadequate in my career journey compared to my peers. I can suffer from imposter syndrome. It is very easy to see how everyone else is getting their dream internships or getting important research, but that’s the thing that is their journey. Don’t compare yourself to others because often we don’t have the same goals and interests as the people around us.
Don’t be afraid to change your mind during your college journey. This is the time to make mistakes and learn through trial and error. It’s also okay not to know exactly what you want to do, rather than focusing so heavily on what you don’t know.