Career Confusion???

Hey Gang

Honestly, I feel like I have PTSD from the word "college."  The clock is ticking and I have no idea what I want to do or where I want to go.

One of my biggest strengths is my ability to talk, which is why I’ve thought about studying political science. I’m empathetic, and I enjoy having deep conversations. But my mom’s scared of politics, and we don’t know much about it, nor do we have many connections there. Plus, I don't have a strong passion for anything except public speaking, which I’d love to teach as a side hobby.

I won’t lie—I need money. People always say money doesn’t bring happiness, but I disagree. Money gives you security. My parents are from India, and my community has learned to rise up, like a phoenix, so money feels like a safe haven. And yes I may be from a comfortable upper middle class family, but I still know what it feels like to be helpless without a safety net. It’s a lifeline—though it can be stressful at times, it’s something to rely on.  Money is a asset that all of humanity relies on.

As for career ideas, I’ve considered business, maybe even becoming a CEO. To do that, you need to identify a problem and build on it, but I’m not really into making things or creating products. I’m more of a talker than a builder, so I'm not sure how I could fit into an industry like makeup or handmade goods. I'm not an entrepreneur—I can talk, but I’m not great at selling. I can make people laugh, especially in my native language, and my jokes tend to hit differently in that language.

At the annual fair we have with other families, I’ve sold handmade things like lip gloss, plants, and earrings. But I wouldn’t say any of these things are my true calling. I know how to charm people with humor, but that doesn’t last forever.

Now, what about being an engineer?I like to consider myself a creative person who I love stem challenges and creating new ideas. Both my parents are software engineers, so it seems right that I follow their path. I’ve never been into technology. I respect the power it gives us, but honestly, it kind of scares me.

Okay, so what about being a rich, famous actress? It sounds fun, but how long would the fantasy last? You have to work so hard to get there, and honestly, I’m kind of scared of the dangers in the film industry. I know a lot of people have been exploited for their talents, and I definitely don’t want that happening to me.

So, you want to be up there, fine—maybe singing, dancing, or something in the arts. As I mentioned in my introduction, I’m a proud Bharatanatyam dancer. Even after performances, I keep rehearsing the steps in my head because I love the discipline and structure the art form brings. I sing for fun, but I really can’t imagine it being a career for me. The same goes for dancing.

You want to be out there and successful, but not too high. How about social media? Becoming a big YouTuber, being on the big screen, teaching, helping, entertaining people—there’s so much to do. But is that a job you can really rely on? I also think it would get boring after a while, with the same repetitive process. And imagine being swarmed by fans. That might seem nice at first, but I value my privacy.

I also went through a “science phase” when I was younger. I wanted to be a marine biologist, an archaeologist, a zoologist—I had a whole wildlife and animals phase. I used to read about this stuff all the time. I still do, actually. Nowadays, I’m more into social studies. Science is great, don’t get me wrong, but I just find social studies more appealing to me now.

I’ve also thought about law. Lawyers get to document evidence, push out claims, and be persistent with them. What kind of lawyer would I even be? Maybe criminal law, but that’s a tough field. Divorce? I wouldn’t want to tear families apart. Immigration law? Too soul-crushing. Tax lawyer? Boring. And to become a judge, you have to be a lawyer first, so that's out of the picture. I’ve also thought about corporate law, and still am I bit skeptical. I don't know if I got a cutthroat bone in me. 

Finally, I’ve considered becoming a doctor. Doctors are amazing—saving lives and looking so professional in their white coats and heels. A few weeks ago, I went to the eye doctor. I was waiting in the lobby for about 15 to 20 minutes when the doctor finally came in. The nurse checked my eye, and in just five minutes, she looked at me and said I was good to go. The way she carried herself with such grace and applied herself so effortlessly, even in those few minutes, really impressed me. It was also clear that she knew a lot about her craft because, no matter what question I asked, she answered confidently. I really admire their presence. But the thought of all the studying required makes me hesitate.

So here I am, stuck in a sea of uncertainty. I’m only in 8th grade, but the years seem to fly by. Life is like a roller coaster with many ups and downs but eventually you'll reach your destination. For now, I’m unsure, but I’ll keep figuring it out and keeping you posted.

Until Next Time

-AMS