Answering the question, ‘What are your plans for the future?’

Photo Illustration by Kylee Weber

We have all reached a point in our life where we are asked the dreaded question, “What are your plans after college?” or “What is next in your life?”

At this point in your life, you are most likely on the verge of graduating and trying to find that next stage in your life. Those of you who have a dream job lined up after you graduate, congratulations, you are one of the few of us. If you are like me and when you get asked those dreaded questions, you want to answer, “Who the hell knows?”

I can honestly say I have no idea where I’ll be in a year and a half. I have an idea of where I would like to be. I think I can speak for all college students that we all want to graduate and have a perfect job lined up, great pay and an amazing work environment. However, the likelihood of that continues to go down each year.

I have found that thinking about the future is absolutely terrifying. I still consider myself a kid at this point in my life. I am only 19-years-old and I have to think about student loans, mortgages, car payments, job applications; all of these adult responsibilities. It scares me to think that it is not far away from where I am in my life. I try to calm myself down from these mental breakdowns of not knowing by reminding myself that it is still a year and a half away. I don’t have to make a decision right away. I urge you, if you are in the same position as me, to think like this: It is okay not to know, it is okay to try new jobs and you can never apply to too many jobs. As everyone always tells us it is ultimately about who you know, not what you know.

Over the years as you prepare yourself to go into the “real world” remember these tips and tricks to get you through still with your sanity. Remember, it is okay to not have a dream job lined up the second you get out of college. Great things take time and hard work. Never stop applying for internships and jobs, you would be surprised how consistency attracts companies who are hiring. Lastly, if you don’t have a LinkedIn account, GET ONE! This easy application will allow you to search for jobs and internships at the tip of your finger. This application allows recruiters to look at your profile and get a quick link to your resume. I am new to LinkedIn this year and I have used it constantly to look at internships for the summer and apply for them.

Just remember, it is okay to not have your dream job the second you get out of college. If you do that is an amazing accomplishment for your life. Overall, it is okay to not know the answer to those dreaded questions. Next time when someone asks you what your next step in life is or what your plans are after college just tell them the truth…. Who the hell knows? Because ultimately you can say you have a plan for after college but life changes, and you may go into a different direction. Don’t strain yourself to fit this perfect plan you set up for yourself because in the real world we need to adapt and learn that rejection and change is okay.