So… What do you want to be when you grow up?
BOC Contributor: Tierra Moore
As I reflect on that moment in my life when I was deeply pondering this question, it occurred to me that this is not the first time I encountered this loaded question in my youth. Looking back I now realize that the pressure to know what you want to be/do for a profession can be both scary and exciting at the same time. At least in my case the response to this question changed over the years leading up to my senior year of High School. My professions of choice ranged from ballerina, to journalist to Psychologist.
So here I am completing my college applications and Psychology seemed like the obvious choice for what to check as my major at the time. You see I was convinced that I would be the next rising day time talk show host. Think Oprah meets Dr. Phil. I simply wanted everybody to get a car and go on lavish all-expense paid vacations but I was also concerned about their mental health and emotional well-being. What I felt would set me apart from the queen of day time television herself was my fancy credentials as a licensed Psychologist!
Yup I was 17 years old and I had it all figured out *pats self on the back*, college here I come! Reality set in for me right about my sixth semester in college as I found myself struggling to feel that connection to the major that I so confidently chose.
So what happened? How could I be so convinced that Psychology was my golden ticket to the future I saw for myself and now I can barely sit through a lecture without daydreaming about what they had in the cafeteria for lunch? I was too afraid to admit it at the time for fear that I’d look like a quitter but I wasn’t so convinced about my beloved Psychology anymore and I had no clue what I was going to do about it. What happened over the next year or so was a mixture of fear about my next steps and determination to finish what I started, meanwhile completely ignoring my inner voice screaming “this doesn’t feel right”.
Here are 3 things I learned about figuring out “what I want to be when I grow up”.
Remember to listen to your inner voice. -Your inner voice is like an internal resource that exists to help push you toward a journey of self-discovery. Ignoring that voice can stifle your creativity and keep you stuck in places that hinder your true potential. Pay attention to your inner voice and give yourself permission to try another path, even if takes you a little longer than your original plan.
Step out of your Inner Circle. -It’s natural for humans to cling to the familiar and it’s no different when it comes to our friends. However it’s important for us to make genuine connections with people that we may have little in common with at all, at least on the surface. Join an organization or attend some events in an area that you find yourself interested in. Being open to new people exposes you to different experiences and possible opportunities you would otherwise never have if you only stick to what and who you “know”.
Ask for help.-This one may seem so simple but many people fail to act upon simply because they don’t want to appear weak. We get caught up in this pressure of appearing to have everything figured out. When in fact we don’t and it’s okay. Whether it’s seeking advice from a favorite professor or inquiring about an internship a peer has with a company that you are fond of, get in the habit of being vulnerable enough to ask questions.
Advice on how to choose a career or deciding what you want to be when you grow up will vary depending on who you ask. Since I can’t turn back the clock I hope to honor my 19 year old self by sharing these little nuggets in hopes that my experience can encourage someone else.
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