Let me start off by saying that small talk is one of my least favorite things in the world. It's forced, often uncomfortable and feels like you're trapped in a situation that neither person wants to be in. As soon as I find myself slipping into the weather, there is no going back. Though the past week as a senior in college, I have been asked the dreaded question: so what are you doing next year?
I've tried to muster up some kind of answer, but the truth is I have no idea. Well, I have a little bit of an idea, but it's more of a broad industry I'd like to be in and a location. That's pretty much it. This has been met with responses of everything from enthusiasm That sounds great! You're going to have a great time! to Really? You're going to leave D.C.? Do you have a job lined up? (No.) Understandably, it's a legitimate question, just like everyone has been asking my brother who is a freshman how he likes college.
In the past almost four years at Bucknell, I have been able to meet people from all walks of life, with very different expectations for what they want out of life, including people with five or ten year plans. We didn't get too close. The idea of a ten year plan sounds great in theory and for people going into careers that require lots of schooling or in serious relationships it makes sense. There is security and predictability. I know who my friends are, where they live, and where my friend Sarah and I will be every Thursday night. Graduation is becoming real and as terrifying as it is, there is a lot of amazing possibility out there too. For anyone struggling right now post-grad, this may seem extremely naive, but being positive is how I want to go into adulthood. Having a ten year plan is not only pretty unrealistic, but a way to close yourself off to so many (and probably better) opportunities.
There are many things I will miss about school next year and a sense of security is definitely one of them. However at the same time, being young there are still so many chances to mess up and be ok (counting out murder) among other things. I have no idea what the next step is. I hope to make it through the next semester, have fun, and apply to jobs that seem challenging and rewarding. Next year I might be in a really interesting, cool job or living in a box on 23rd and Madison. But for the now, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Happy Thanksgiving! I am very thankful for any of you out there reading this- based on analytics, I know there are some out there, so thank YOU! {Image}
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