Growing up I wanted to be a princess. When my sisters(brutally) informed me that being a princess was impossible, I decided to be a famous actress. When I was told this too was impossible, I set my sights on being a professional ballerina. [pullquote]Growing up I wanted to be a princess.[/pullquote]When a ballerina was deemed impossible due to awful body standards, I changed my mind to become a famous popstar. This cycle continued for years until I realized that my future dreams were completely and utterly absurd. In sixth grade I decided that it was in my best interest if I started looking for more realistic job ideas.

I know what you’re thinking–why would a eleven-year-old be worried about her future career? Well, the more college visits and high school graduations for my older siblings I was dragged to, the more I worried about my future. My top concern–even in sixth grade–was figuring out what I wanted to do in the future so that I could choose a good college that was right for me. Many of the conversations in my house were about FAFSA, financial aid, grades, travel distances to universities, and the benefits of community college(this was an option none of my three siblings chose, but was for some reason highly advocated for).

I never considered that college wasn’t mandatory–up until the summer going into my junior year of high school. Although neither of my parents went to college, I had always assumed that going to college was going to be a definitive part of my life. I had been doing research on colleges for months, and finally another option opened up: going straight to work. After all, why would I waste money on college if I had no clue what I wanted to do for the next hour–let alone for the rest of my life.

It seems as if everyone around me has known their exact career plans for years. Camille Terrell, future high school English teacher, has known exactly what she wants to do for years.

“I don’t think it’s like a crazy big deal, especially now because there’s so many people that I’ve met or I’ve heard stories of where they go into their freshman year undecided and then they find something that they really love and they end up doing amazing and like their next three years,” states Terrell.

There’s nothing wrong with not declaring a major right away. In fact, many people thrive without a declared major; however, this path is not meant for me. I always need to know exactly what will happen–and if I spend a year trying to figure that out I will become lost.

Aly Rojcov, future Marine, has known she was interested in the military since middle school.

“Because I have a definite of like what I want to major in in college and like what I want to do so it’s just like some something of reassurance,” Rojcov states.

I don’t have a definitive career path, but I do have a most probable major–english. For as long as I can remember I’ve always had a book in my hands. Even during my princess phase I would carry little Disney Princess books around with me. When I can’t be found reading, I’m writing. This is why English is the perfect major for me, assuming I attend college.

When talking about having a set career choice influencing everyday behavior, Emma Flaherty says,

“It gives me a sense of security, but other than that it doesn’t really affect me… I feel certain with myself,” said Flaherty.

Confidence is everything. I may not have confidence in who I will be or where I will work in ten years, but I am confident that I will make the right choice. Eventually. A couple months from now. Or a few years.

I’m not the only Woodland junior who doesn’t know what they want. Hawk Headlines SIFT Director, Sofia Dipiro, also has no concrete plans for her future.

“It’s just crazy I don’t know how people just know already like I feel like it takes a lot to think about is what you’re going to rest of your life like you have to like it you can just decide well you’re young because you mind changes so much you know I do,” said DiPiro.

Exactly my point. I’m only sixteen, how am I supposed to know what I’m going to do until the day I die.

My idea on what I want my future career to be changes drastically day to day. Here are some of my most long-lasting career ideas (listed in order from ancient to most recent):

• Teacher:

I had an idea of teaching for almost all of middle school. I believed it would be a great job with good benefits and summers off; however, I despise children. My hatred of children could be because I’m a very impatient person, or because I’m simply not the type of person to deal with screaming and crying–and that’s just teenagers. Teaching, will never be the right thing for me.

• Surgeon:

After years of pre-med training with Grey’s Anatomy, I determined I would be either an obstetrician (at least the kids won’t be born yet) or a surgical oncologist. My dreams of being a surgeon ended once I realized that I would have to go to school for many, many, many years, and I can’t stand being around sick people. Or blood. I hate blood. Almost as much as I hate kids.

• Lawyer:

With my professional argumentative skills, I could probably pass the bar today according to my family. But, even though I find the courtroom activities exciting, I don’t think I’d suit the piles of paperwork and three extra years of school very well. Or the criminals. I hate criminals. And blood.

• Journalist:

When people hear about my heavy involvement in journalism, they assume I would be a great journalist. That may be true, but the news never sleeps, and I love to.

• Disney Cruise Employee:

Traveling has always been very important to me and I’d love to visit as many different countries as possible. Working on a Disney Cruise would help me to see the world without having any planning arrangements or worrying about hotels and housing. There’d only be one downside–kids. For some unknown reason, kids are abundant on Disney cruise ships. And I hate kids. And working long hours. And not seeing my family for months at a time.

• Flight Attendant:

My desire to be a flight attendant also stems from my live of travel. Being a flight attendant would let me meet new people and see the world; however, planes are tight quarters. And people are disgusting. I’d rather not be trapped in tight quarters with disgusting people and their even more disgusting kids for hours at a time. Boy do I hate kids.

Despite having no concrete plans in my future, after extensive research and writing this article, I no longer harbor fear for my future. Whatever happens will happen, and as long as I am happy I know everything will be okay. [pullquote]I no longer harbor fear for my future.[/pullquote]