There you are. 18 and ready to face the world. Fresh off high school graduation, you're flying high with anticipation about what the future has to offer. You're optimism is unclouded - you're ready for college and the chance to make your dream career a reality.
Fast forward to the first test you barely pass or the first horrible group project you trudge through, and you're suddenly in the Twilight Zone... wondering whether your dream career will turn into a nightmare life sentence. Maybe you change your major, maybe you work through it, maybe you give up. Whatever option, you're now questioning why society makes us choose our futures (or at least take a good stab at it) at such a young age.
Ahh yes... the formative years that shape our souls. Go back to those day when you're reviewing all your "major" options with an adviser, picking the course that will define the glory days until you reach retirement. But, one thing is different. Your 18 year old self has all the knowledge and life experience that the 2008 you has right now. With this in mind, what would you *really* choose to study? Would you be in college at all? Would you pursue another dream?
Monday, January 14, 2008
Do Over
Posted by A Pea at 8:24 AM
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7 comments:
First of all, this is pretty creepy because this is the topic I was going to pick today if A Pea didn't have an idea!
Anyway... Oh, boy would I change things. I probably still would have gone to college right away, but I would definitely have studied abroad for a year. At least. And I would definitely have picked a different major -- I would have been a sign language interpreter. Which then also means that I would have had to pick a different school -- maybe somewhere out East.
This, though, would mean that I wouldn't have met Andy, so I'll have to concoct a story for how we would have met. Maybe I was visiting my sister or best friend and happened to meet him when I was there. Or -- even better -- I suspect that he will say he wishes he had studied abroad in college, too, so we would have met in a youth hostile somewhere as we backpacked around Europe during one of our breaks. We would have fallen so in love with Europe (and each other, of course) that we would decide to not go back to the states to finish our degrees and stay in Europe together. Of course, that would mean that I'd have to learn a whole new sign language and spend a couple extra years in school, but that's okay.
After that, I would be a freelance interpreter so I could set my own hours, work part-time and stay home the rest of the time with our kids.
On a wing and a prayer, I would go to culinary school and then open my own bakery. Sure, the early morning hours would be a bit of a drag, but I would love to bake my wonderful creations for a living. I'd find a cute little store and set up shop. No donuts or things like that... all cakes, cookies, bars, etc. Desserts on demand rather than a quick breakfast go-to place.
Of course I would be fabulously successful as well... b/c that's the way these little fantasy worlds work :)
I would certainly change my occupation. I should've been a meteorologist. I took my meteorology course as a senior in college and realized then that I should've majored in that. But by then it was too late, and now I am content doing what I do, but I really should've been a meteorologist.
Of course, I would've met T-Pea while on assignment in Europe studying the climatological currents that affect the European continent.
Hmmm..I wouldn't really change anything. But I can tell you that if I would have a totally different life, I would be working in DC. I write great speeches, and I could make some politician famous....
OK, this is tough because all I really ever remembering wanting to do is be a social worker...for the big bucks, of course :) I would still major in social work, but I think I would have had sociology as a minor. I realize they can be quite similar, but I think I would have enjoyed the learning aspect more. (and I never would have gotten suckered into taking French!!)
With that said, if I were to totally change gears, I would have pursued a career as a wedding planner or a fundraiing coordinator.
With my life now as a mother and a wife of a husband who travels, those wouldn't be very easy jobs to keep, but we're not worried about true logistics of the "change."
Valpo as my college of choice again? Probably...its' my attitude I would have changed most!
Okay - first of all, I would have sucked it up and stayed at the U of I. I never would have transferred to Valpo, EVER!!
Second, much like T pea, I would have studied abroad for at least a year.
Finally, I would have totally changed my major and done science. I have always wanted to be a high school science teacher. I love science.
Actually, I am planning on going back to school to do exactly that (well, the science and education majors at least) once we get settled after the move.
Interesting question. I chose software engineering as my college major from day 1 and for about 10 years, I never regretted it. Knowing how the industry is now, I wouldn't have chosen it in the beginning. I would've seriously considered psychology, and took the hit for all the extra schooling.
I also thought about all the people who said going away to school is a life-changing experience. I stayed at home and actually my school had no dorms. So I guess I would've thought about that more, but on the other hand even know it was a tremendous advantage with my student loans being much less than they would've been paying for housing and other expenses.
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