The world is full of different career opportunities and we are told we have to make that decision by a certain time. I believed I had to have my career choice made by senior year of high school in order to be successful. I also believed that I needed to choose a career based on how much money I would be making at that particular job. Because of these standards, I chose to go into Exercise Science to pursue a career in pediatric physical therapy. The problem was I was nowhere near happy. I was always stressed, which led to physical health problems, and even put strain on my relationships. I spent every second of my day studying for exams and put no effort into my friendships. That also contributed to the heaviness of my unhappiness.
Once my advisor was talking to me about the GRE and early applying for PT school, I started to panic. This allowed the realization to set in that I did not even like the career I was pursuing. I was pursuing it in order to get a doctorate, sit comfortably financially, and that is honestly as deep as it went. Although this realization was terrifying considering I was about to change my major my senior year, it is what got me to the happiness I experience today. After realizing I was not happy, I began searching for other options for me. I knew I wanted to work in the hospital setting in a Children’s Hospital. From there I looked up all my options, spoke to those around me who know me best, and found my career in Child Life. Although I am basically starting college over and am pushing back my graduation date, who cares? I do not. And that is all that matters. What matters to me is that I am enjoying the classes I am paying for and am genuinely excited to start my career as a child life specialist. I want to wake up every morning for my job and be excited to go in.
Realizations I want you to understand:
You DO NOT have to know what you want to do with your life now, not even ten years down the road. If you do not know that is okay!
Choose a career that is going to bring you happiness and that you will genuinely enjoy waking up for in the mornings.
Ask yourself if you are pursuing your job for the right reasons. If the answer is no, then search for the right career for you.
It is NEVER too late to change your career path.. even if you have already graduated.
All that matters is your happiness. Allow yourself to be happy with your career.
Stop caring what others think and decide yourself what you want to do with your life.
KokoNaomi
