Seniors in college (and probably high school too, now that I think about it) generally dread the question “So what are you going to do after you graduate?” Some people are just trying to make conversation, but sometimes it feels like if you don’t follow a specific plan, something’s wrong with you.
So here is my answer to that question: whatever I want to do.
No really, I’m going to do what I want. By that I mean I’m not going to get a grownup job just because that’s what you do as an upright member of society, you go to college, get a job, have kids, etc. Well my journey down that line stops at college.
Let me explain myself a bit better. I’m not going to be lazing about, quite the opposite actually. This semester helped me see that a day job would get in the way of what I really want to do. My health made me reevaluate what was important in my life and made me wonder how much time I really have here. I don’t have an answer to that question, but I do know that I no longer have time to do things that make me unhappy. I have never liked working for someone else, living up to someone else’s expectations just to be able to eat when I get home. I love tutoring because as long as I am helping my student learn and get better, then I am doing my job. Nothing else is expected of me.
I also took a class called Portfolio Workshop that required me to assemble all of my work and present it to apply for a specific job. Now, I know that I could work many jobs just fine, but I wouldn’t enjoy it in the long run. Instead, I’m going to create. Next semester, my work load is the smallest it’s ever been. I’m going to take that time to stabilize myself and start submitting to magazines and written contests to get my name out there. I’m going to maintain this blog and work on written projects. I’m going to work, alright, but it’s going to be for me.
Now, I’m not going completely without a job. Until I can get a career either as a novelist or as a YouTuber (I actually want to start a vlog of my own someday), I’m going to work some jobs here and there. I will continue tutoring and freelance to build my credentials even more.
You may wonder why I went to college if I’m just going to write. Well, my communication degree has given me the skills I need to market myself and build my audience. And, it’s changed the way I think and feel as a person, so it has intrinsically bettered the work I put out to inspire others. Going to college is exactly what I needed to make my work succeed in a world where we create tons of new information and stories every day.
Now, it’s going to take time. I know that I won’t become successful right away, but I’m okay with that. I heard so much that writers need to get a day job, as they won’t make enough to support themselves right away. But I almost think that doing so prevents some of them from writing their great work. Working a job takes not only time, but it takes so much of your energy. I don’t know how I could work and have the energy to come home and write. So I’m not going to bother.
I am in the best position to do this. My husband completely supports me, both financially and otherwise, so I have the room I need to go for it without being a starving artist. I know of a lot of people that long for an opportunity like this, so there’s no way I’m going to ignore it.
You’ll see more of me. Just you wait.
