With Confidence, Eventually

The Twilight movie that just came out actually had a moment of good writing. Writing far superior to anything I ever found in the books anyway.

It was during the graduation speech. And while I am afraid some slower witted people will take this idea too far, its interesting…basically, learning that “What you want to be when you grow up” should be answered only when ready and that part of life is figuring that out. Life doesn’t start with a job, life starts whenever you decide to let it.

When we were in Kindergarten they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up? Most people either said whatever their parents were or something like a Fireman or a Police man or some other profession they have been told to trust or run to at that young of an age. I know I said I wanted to be Firewoman.

They asked us again when we were in 6th grade. People started saying things they saw in movies or TV but they didn’t have any idea the steps it would take to get there. I said I wanted to be a vet.

They asked us again when we graduated high school…but this time they asked for real. Because we were about to head off to college and you don’t have a ton of time to waste in college. Or so they said. They said we need to start preparing for life. I said “I want to get a degree in chemistry, and do medical research” This lasted two years and if I were to continue in that track, I would set and ready. I just finished two years of strong-headed path pounding…

But really? These past two years should have been the time I made mistakes, learned from them, and really explored my options. Instead I one-tracked and now find myself at the dead end of that road.

So now, I am about to be a Junior and I really don’t have a lot of time to decide a major.

Luckily, my major doesn’t define my career. This silly piece of paper I am spending a fortune on doesn’t really mean anything. Its just a social definition that generally is paired with a pay raise. I really can do whatever I want at the juncture. Eventually I will be asked “What do I want to be when I grow up” and I want to be able to answer with confidence, not guess. Im still guessing today, but here is my thoughts at the moment.

If I were graduating this year I would be putting applications into Teach for America and grad school programs in Forensics, Seismology, and Physics. I would see if I got into things and make a decision from there. But if all goes well, I would choose TFA. I need the two years off. After TFA I would have try to re-enter the Masters (note, not PhD, turns out im not a big fan of that lifestyle) application pool. Getting a degree would be fun at that point and also provide me with skill sets to get into the type of jobs I want. I would then apply to agencies, NASA, NCIS, CDC etc for a position. I would work there as long as possible until I get bored (I have a short attention span in jobs) and then go back to teaching. I don’t think I would get bored with teaching because the students change and the subjects I would teach would rotate.

So that’s the big plan. Ive told this twice in the last few days. I keep getting "give the undergrads tours of the lab" duty and they always want to know if I like my lab. I do. I just don't like research.

Ask me again in a year. In a month maybe. Who knows how fast it will change again 