What Now?
So you’re a senior now in college. Doesn’t it feel as if it were just yesterday when you first stepped into your dorm or began your first college course at UCR? And now you can’t wait to toss your hat into the air as you are pronounced the 60th Commencement class. But there is one thing you really don’t look forward to … Having to answer the “What are you doing after college?” question to everyone who happens to ask.
Do not get your mind bottled into thinking about what you will do after college. Sure, some have already decided to attend graduate school or pursue a professional degree right after their undergrad career, but if that is not what you particularly have in mind, IT IS OKAY.
Maybe you want to travel for a year a two? Maybe you want to join the Peace Corps? Heck, maybe you want to surf for a whole year! Whatever your choice may be, remember that it is your choice and no one else’s. Many students make the error of comparing themselves to other peers, not realizing that everyone will have different goals they want to pursue and thus different plans and paths they will take.
Now if you feel like as if you don’t even have a path mapped out yet, try to focus on finding out what you’re good at. Finding your passion will also help you in realizing what your strengths are. Once you know your strengths, you can then translate those strengths into applicable skills. After you have taken note of your strengths and skills, then you can begin to map things out!
Eight weeks ago, I moved out to Washington, D.C. for an internship. Since then I have met so many people with various backgrounds and professions who through sharing their stories have reassured me that it is okay not to know what you want to do in life straight out of college. I recently spoke to an attorney who didn’t decide that he would pursue a legal career right after his undergrad, but always knew that he had a passion for music and film. He is now a copyright attorney who provides counseling on U.S. and foreign copyright laws. After our conversation, I couldn’t help but to think how impressive it was to have learned that this attorney never stopped pursing his passion.
Three more months and you will be hearing your name at the commencement ceremony. If you feel lost now, creating a plan is a great place to start. Think of your mapped out plan as the first dot in a connect-the-dots game. This dot is a good start. The second step will be the actual connecting to the second dot. That connection will be whatever it is you decide to do after college. Eventually, all the dots will be connected and you will end up at the place you were meant to be at!