Photo By Hannah Woosley
I was 19-years-old when I decided I was going to be an ultrasound technician. And yes, an ultrasound technician is exactly what it sounds like – someone who takes ultrasounds. I was so excited to embark on this career to be able to show women the miracle that was growing inside of them. But things change.
I was 20-years-old when I decided I was going to be a middle school teacher. My parents were excited – well, somewhat, if you exclude the low pay aspect – and nearly all my friends said they could picture me teaching a class. They had me convinced, too. Things changed, again.
I was 21-years-old when I changed my major, again, but this time it was for the last time.
I am now 22-years-old and still just as much in love with journalism as I was when the idea crossed my mind. As I am sure you noticed, I changed my career path/major every year for three years, so the fact that I am still here as a journalism major means something to me.
I started this article with my struggle of essentially figuring out who I am because it is an important part of my life, and it may be to you too. At 18-years-old, you are fresh out of high school, immediately enroll in college and have the expectation from nearly everyone surrounding you to pick your major.
Crazy, right? At 17 I could not even use the restroom in school without asking, and now I am supposed to choose what path I would like to remain on for the next 60+ years? Yikes.
I say all this because you may think you are on the right path, but a year or two from now you may change your mind. But that is okay.
I changed my mind three times and, from some miracle, found what I love to do and will continue to love.
So, I will leave you with this piece of advice from someone with their mind all over the place, except when it comes to my future career – If you do not love what you do, if you do not think you will love what you do 30, 40, 50 years from now, pick something else. Life is too short to be unhappy, miserable and dreadful in your career.
I wake up, and I am excited to learn new topics. I raise my hand in class and participate in discussion – Something I have never done in school before.
I loved what I picked for my future a year ago. I love it now, and I know I will love it 50 years down the road.
Do not settle for mediocre.