If the Sky is the Limit…

By Jenise Jackson
Blog Content Contributor

Do you remember being young and having everyone ask you what you wanted to be when you grew up? We all envisioned being things like doctors, astronauts, police officers, etc. Throughout the years, there were some people who actually continued down a path to be these extraordinary things. Then there were others who discovered they wanted to do something that actually coincided with their passions. And then there were also some who had no idea what they wanted to do or where life was taking them. I fall about right in the middle of the last two groups. I like to call myself the “determined, indecisive pupil”.

What I’ve learned from other people is that most of the life plans people set up for themselves are not foolproof. In fact, a lot of people end up down trails they never even dreamed of, trying to get to the one thing they really want. That’s just life for you and in this big ol’ world, you never really know where you might end up. But that is what scares me the most. Here I am working hard towards a degree and I’m not even sure I’ll end up really using it in the end. It’s easy for me to say now that I want to work in the public relations field, but will I ever see the day where I make it happen?

This is why I’ve had to consider other options for when I receive that piece of paper that sums up my four years of stress, sleepless nights and lost tears. I’ve been strongly thinking about joining the military as a commissioned officer just because I’ll have a bachelor’s degree to satisfy one of the requirements. I was a military brat growing up, so I know the benefits that come along with the honor. I mean I wouldn’t mind serving this country, but of course there would be people who say “Are you even following your passion?” My past year of college has taught me that I have an extreme knack for not only writing, but media design as well. I can practically write a press release in my sleep. I’m understanding code like it’s a second language, and I can implement different design elements to make magazines, websites, etc. look amazing. If I could get a job that required me to use these skills, I’d surely do it. But to get one where the pay is efficient enough takes time and experience, experience I probably won’t have by the time I graduate.

So here I am stuck at a crossroads; trying to choose between stability and my passion. My dad used to always tell me do whatever makes me happy, but being able to take care of myself and doing a job that I’m passionate about would make me happy. As silly as it sounds, I possibly got the answer to my life woes from a stranger. I have to thank Chandler for the advice she gave me. Chandler graduated as a public relations major and she is currently working as a tour guide at the CNN Studios in Atlanta. While it isn’t her dream job, it’s a start that opens a lot of opportunities for her. She told me sometimes you’re going to have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to get to the top. Chandler believes doors will open up for anyone as long as they are working hard enough. I think she deserves a raise for those awesome words of wisdom.

I’ve learned that the best thing to do is hang in there. A lot could change in this upcoming year. Opportunities may present themselves or I may have to make some tough decisions. The big thing is keeping faith, regardless of the outcome, and that goes for anyone. If the sky’s the limit, I’ll let you know when I get there.

Featured image by DeMornay Harper.