This summer I was challenged (more or less so I could get my wonderful College certificate) to get a job in my chosen field of study. As I sit here at my computer, having done every single task that has been assigned to me, I wonder, is this what I want?
Let me start off by saying that I am fully enjoying my job so far. Though I still have 2 more months to go until my internship is finished, hopefully it will keep being this awesome.
Somehow, today, having too much time to think and only having one other person in the office, makes me wonder what it would be like to do this full time and permanently.
So far, during this internship I have been asked to do the most insane tasks. From wrapping presents, selling alcohol tickets, re-arranging storage rooms and answering phones, my days certainly haven’t been dull. But it all leaves me wondering, if I were to work this job full time would I be doing the same things? Am I really getting the most out of my experiences this summer? Am I really getting the most out of my future??
Taking a few years off between high school and college has allowed me time to travel, see the world, meet new people, and sample some amazing food (and some not so amazing…). Sitting in a desk for the next 40 something odd years… well, it seems to be a long, drawn out path.
Is it my newfound taste of freedom that has made my long awaited career seem less desirable, or is it just the fantasies of youth. The fantasy that I could be out saving the world, travelling, making friends, and seeing amazing things with my own two eyes.
Somedays running errands outside of the office seems to be all of the freedom I will get.
So, as my future stretches out endlessly before my eyes, I have too much spare time to wonder, did I choose the wrong path? Or once I am set on my way, will there be many little paths to choose from? The possibilities are limitless, but my vision is so limited. So off I go, on my little chosen path, praying that everyday will be worth the next 40-something years of my life well wasted!! 
As an Instructor at a community college, all I can say is that you will have your certificate, a piece of paper which can open doors for you. You sound like a really motivated person with a lot of life experience – so why would you be inspired by wrapping presents or rearranging stockrooms? But you will be able to use your soon to be acquired paper to get out there and walk through those doors better prepared than you were before. Look at the doors, walk through them. Be sure to check out the windows, too. And don’t be afraid to check out something off the beaten path. College is really about the journey to the diploma. You already had that part. Now you have the paper behind you as an extra credential. Congratulations! And – unless you have to – try not to settle for something that doesn’t make you happy. You’ll be doing it everyday; you kinda wanna like it!
And thanks for visiting my blog “Lessons From Teachers and Twits” today (the one about summer camp). I hope you’ll come back and visit! http://rasjacobson.wordpress.com
xoxoxRASJ