I graduated college…now what?
With it being peak graduation season, I thought it would be only fitting to share a little bit about my experiences after college graduation and give some advice to those who are about to be fresh into the world of adulthood.
I graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan last May in a brisk three years, rather than the traditional four. So, that means that now all my classmates are preparing to graduate, and I currently find something so pure about the optimism and excitement surrounding this time of the year. Truth is that the months following me graduating college were HARD. I mean like, sad, stressful, and anxiety inducing times full of lots of disappointment in myself for not being able to just “figure it out”. I went into college with the expectation that I would become an occupational therapist, later searching out other options like worksite wellness and fitness. I clearly remember telling someone that I really thought doing something fitness-related was what I was most passionate about. Even though I love that lady dearly, what she told me that day was “you can always teach fitness classes on the side, but a job like occupational therapy is a much more financially stable option.” And although she was right about the money part, what she failed to instill within me was the confidence to get a job within the field that I LOVED, and that I didn’t HAVE to go back to more school just to make more money. Looking back on that day, I truly feel like I could have been saved a lot of time and energy if I just would have followed my gut. I also realized that money isn’t and shouldn’t be the source of all happiness, and that the more you chase it, the harder it is to obtain. I’m a firm believer that when you find what you love to do, the money will come, even if it takes time.
Instead, I found myself spending all summer applying for occupational therapy school while also planning a wedding and moving to a new city. I didn’t truly want to be an occupational therapist and getting a job as a rehab aid reassured me that that it wasn’t the right path. Still, I pressed on, thinking that if I only got in, or if I only got started, then I would love it. Well, I did get in, I even got interviews at every place I applied. Something that should have sparked excitement, left me feeling uneasy. I then switched to nursing, sure that the ability to travel and work three days a week would be the job for me. I applied, toured the facility, and got in, only to realize that wasn’t it for me either. I don’t say any of this to brag about my success, but rather to show that even though you might have what it takes, that doesn’t mean it is what you want. I also want to highlight that I viewed this moment in time as a failure, because I “wasted time” doing something that I didn’t even want to do. I could have surely been doing bigger & better things with that time then being hesitant to commit and decide. Please remember that no time is “wasted time”, it all serves a purpose and is valuable to you discovering what the future looks like for you.
Since then, I applied for four different jobs: worksite wellness coordinator (x2), wellness administrator, and a fitness specialist. Two of the four jobs I applied for had already had the position filled at the time of my interview, giving me almost no chance to even get the job. The other job was listed as entry-level but, they had 10+ applicants and were looking for someone with more experience than what I could offer. These lessons stung at first, but after some time and reflection, I now understand why things went the way they did. I finally secured the position as a fitness specialist, which is what I am currently doing. I remember getting so caught up in jobs that I honestly didn’t care what it was, I was just tired of answering to the question of, “so what are you doing now?” with absolutely no answer to give. I didn’t just want a job, I felt like I NEEDED a job. I felt like by having a job to do for the next 40+ years would finally give me peace. But I didn’t.
I really, really enjoy my job right now, but that doesn’t mean I’m content to stay doing the exact same thing for the next 40+ years. I’ve realized that the work ethic I’ve developed and the determination to accomplish really, really big things is never just going to go away.
So here it is, my three lessons + advice for those graduating college:
1. Don’t become so stuck on an idea that you neglect considering other options. Since I was 16, I wanted to be an occupational therapist. So much so that I didn’t explore all the possible options for me. This in return lead me to graduate with no honest direction once I discovered I didn’t want to go to graduate school. So, look at all your interests, hopes, dreams, and goals and determine if something is right for you or not. It’s okay to take time after graduation to really dig deep into what it truly is that you want to do and allow yourself the ability to change your mind.
2. Find peace in the jobs you are doing to get experience. My first job out of college was something I could have done with a high school diploma. Talk about humbling. It wasn’t luxurious or high paying, but it was a job and it allowed me the flexibility to get take college classes and courses to become a health coach. It also allowed me the time to explore what it really was I wanted to do and gave me some pretty great co-workers that let me talk and mutually vent about life with. The fact is, you probably won’t love your first job, and you might not even enjoy your second, third, or fourth job. But these jobs allow you to keep gaining valuable experience and knowledge that will only make you better at that dream job you eventually hold. So, in the meantime, find people around you that make your job enjoyable and find hobbies to do outside of work that spark a passion within you.
3. Lots of people talk about what they want to do, but few people actually do it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people tell me that one day they would love to be a ______, or open their own ______. So many people have these big dreams but will never actually do it, and it makes me so sad because…why not? At the end of the day, we have one life here on earth. I’m determined not to spend every week longing for Friday when I finally get a 2–3-day weekend and can do whatever I want. I want to live for the weekdays because I am truly doing what sets my soul on fire, gets me out of bed in the morning without a grunt or sigh, and makes me feel like I am truly changing the lives of others. What is that for you? Think about it, explore it, and pursue it. You have what it takes, even if the road to get there isn’t direct, you are more than capable of making it happen.
Lastly, congratulations. Truly. It makes me so eager to see what you all do with your post-graduation life because I know you are all going to have such a unique and rewarding path of your own. You pave the way to your success, and you absolutely have what it takes to get there. The world is better with you in it, so discover what it is that you love and pursue it whole-heartedly. Success might not appear right away, but everything will work out in the end. I say that without an idea in the world with where my life will lead, and you know what? For now, that’s okay with me.
Let’s enjoy this life and let what is meant to be, be.
With love always, Bailey