As I finish out my final undergraduate semester at UNC, I have thought a lot about next steps. Somehow it seems that my future has always been laid out in front of me. At every point in my life, I have known what is next. For the first time, I do not know what the future holds.
Growing up, I attended small schools where I never had more than 60 classmates. I had friends across several grades and knew what to expect as I moved from grade to grade. The same went with sports. As I moved up in age divisions, the same coaches would move with me or I knew who was waiting for me at the next level. My sports career went from recreation leagues to middle school to JV to club sports and Varsity. I never questioned where I would go next or what I would do next.
My family even moved twice between my time in fifth and eighth grade. While it was scary and I dreaded leaving my friends behind, it was clear that I would lead the same life of school, sports and extracurriculars just in a new place. A challenge did arise when we moved from North Carolina to Virginia. Would I still be able to achieve my dream of attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
Although this was a daunting new obstacle, I am blessed to be able to say that attending college was never a question. I was aware that it would be the logical next step following my high school graduation. I was on my way to concluding my high school years with all A's, Varsity letters in four sports, a two-time State Champion and as President of a volunteer organization.
The college application process was grueling, especially because it occurred during volleyball season, the busiest time of my year. Of the schools that I applied to, I was assured that I would be accepted to my safety schools. But, there was no question that Carolina was my dream, everyone at my school knew it. I often worried how embarrassing it would be to potentially share with the world that I did not get in.
Luckily, at the end of January, after playing a basketball game in Richmond, VA, I received my decision. The night had not exactly been successful thus far. Our team had our butts handed to us to say the least. For context, we were playing against Anna Wilson, sister of famed QB Russell Wilson, who now plays for the Stanford Women's Basketball team. Our coach let us have it in the locker room, and my teammates and I solemnly began to pack our bags.
It was well after 7 p.m., and little did I know that the UNC decisions were released two hours prior. I had texts from friends and family asking, "So did you hear?" "What's the news?" "Did you get in?" I actually think my heart stopped beating for a second. I was terrified, but I had to open my decision right away. I whipped out my laptop but was frustrated when site blockers kept me from viewing my decision. This happened again and again until a teammate lent me her laptop.
I finally opened the letter with my entire team standing around me. Looking back, this could have been a really awkward and uncomfortable moment. Fortunately, all my worries washed away when I saw the "Congratulations!" I knew my next step.
Now, four years later, my classmates are landing jobs and putting down deposits for graduate programs. I think to myself everyday, "What is next for me?" This really is the first time where the opportunities are endless. I hear so many stories of people who end up on a career path that just has no relation to what they studied in school. While I like to think I am open to anything, I really hope that is not the case for me. I have fallen in love with the world of advertising, PR and marketing. It would be a dream come true to spend the rest of my career in this industry.
As I weigh the options and apply for jobs, I look at each opportunity as it could be the place where I begin and end my entire career. I find it so hard to aimlessly submit application after application because I want to be passionate about the role I take on. But, sometimes the next step is just starting somewhere and seeing where it takes you.
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