Driving Down the Career Highway Without Blinders On

by Samantha on September 1, 2010

Open road

Back at the beginning of June, I wrote a post about pursuing your passion. It was sparked by an article I had read about a number of older people who decided to take on second or third jobs so they could make the things they were passionate about part of their daily lives. At the time, I got to thinking about how I could integrate my passion for writing into my every day. Little did I know, that less than a month later I would become unemployed and forced to reconsider my passions and how exactly I was going to pursue them.

At a job interview a couple of weeks ago, the interviewer asked me where I see myself in five years. It’s a pretty standard question, and yet, I wasn’t quite sure how to answer. The truth is that I don’t have it all planned out, and I don’t have a perfect outline of my dream job either. Sure, I have a lot of things I would be happy doing, but if I became queen of the world and could do whatever I wanted…I’d have to think about it for a while.

I’ll be honest, this realization scares me a little bit. I know so many amazing young entrepreneurs who not only dream big, but go after their dreams and achieve them. There are even two incredibly impressive young women who not only followed their dream, but blog about how they pursue their passion every day. Another friend of mine just quit her corporate job to start her own business and freelance full time. Major kudos.

Here’s the thing, when I was first let go, I focused on the fact that this was an opportunity for a new beginning. In fact, I titled a post on the subject “The Possibilities Are Endless.” I still believe that, and I know that I will find the job that’s right for me.  I also know that entrepreneurship is not it, and that’s okay. I need more structure in my day to day right now, that’s just something I’ve come to realize about myself.

When I think more about my broad answer to the five year question, it doesn’t scare me as much as it first did. I’m lucky to have a number of things that I love doing, and several subject areas that spark my interest. Instead of limiting myself, or driving down the career highway with blinders on, I’m keeping my options open. And who’s to say that I should be absolutely sure what I’m passionate about at age 25? Just because some people have it all figured out (or seem like they do) doesn’t mean we all have to. If where you want to be in five years is happily employed doing something that relates to x, y, or z, that doesn’t make you a bad person, or a bad candidate for the job, and it doesn’t mean you’ll never find your dream job. It just makes you, you.

Welcome to Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates! Check out the Archives to read more, and find out more about the girl behind the blog in the About section. Thanks for visiting, and come back soon!

{ 0 comments }

The Art of Letting Go

August 27, 2010 View Comments
Thumbnail image for The Art of Letting Go

All I wanted was a few days of rest and relaxation, sitting by the pool with a good book and the warm sun on my face. And then, it rained…and rained, and rained, until the day we were leaving Maine.  But, instead of spending the whole time grumbling and cursing at Mother Nature, I decided [...]

Read more →

A Much Needed Vacation

August 22, 2010 View Comments
Thumbnail image for A Much Needed Vacation

Okay, so I haven’t actually “gone fishing,” but I am on vacation. By the time this post is published, I will be on my way to beautiful Ogunquit, Maine. It’s our favorite summer vacation spot, and my mom and I are spending most of this week up there. If Mother Nature cooperates, we will be [...]

Read more →

Job Search Lessons Part 2

August 19, 2010 View Comments
Thumbnail image for Job Search Lessons Part 2

In case you weren’t aware, I’m in the middle of searching for a new job. A few weeks ago, I offered some tips for my fellow searchers, lessons that I’d learned so far.  I called the post Part 1, because I figured I would have more to share, and I was right. Here are three [...]

Read more →

Wish You Were Here

August 11, 2010 View Comments
Thumbnail image for Wish You Were Here

On Sunday, my parents are throwing us an engagement party on Long Island. There are over 50 people coming, and I know it’s going to be a great time. I’m excited to see friends from almost every different part of our lives, and to finally introduce people who have heard a lot about each other, [...]

Read more →

Does Anyone Know the Real You?

August 4, 2010 View Comments
Thumbnail image for Does Anyone Know the Real You?

If there’s one thing that really bothers me in this world, it’s people who are fake.  They’re one way to your face, and a completely different way behind your back.  And, when it comes down to it, they don’t really know you at all. I’ve been watching MTV’s new series “If You Really Knew Me,” [...]

Read more →

Short Term Pain, Long Term Gain

July 30, 2010 View Comments
Thumbnail image for Short Term Pain, Long Term Gain

I’ve been thinking a lot about things that suck in the short term, but are worth it in the long run.  It doesn’t only apply to pain, but to boredom, awkwardness, and nervousness as well.  Short and long term are relative, and change with the situation. Sometimes it’s difficult to see past the present, but [...]

Read more →

Job Search Lessons Part 1

July 22, 2010 View Comments
Thumbnail image for Job Search Lessons Part 1

I’m on the hunt for a new job. I’ve been at it for a few weeks now, and already learned (or been reminded of) some pretty important lessons. This post is called Job Search Lessons Part 1 because it’s a selection of things I’ve learned SO FAR. I’m sure that I’ll have even more to [...]

Read more →

One Small Act of Kindness Leads to Another

July 20, 2010 View Comments
Thumbnail image for One Small Act of Kindness Leads to Another

Did you ever think about how many people you come into contact with every day? It’s amazing, really! From the guy you stand next to on the subway, to the barista at your local coffee shop, to the co-worker you eat lunch with every afternoon…I could go on and on. There are so many people [...]

Read more →