Post Grad Independence

I’m a planner. Ever since my early days, when Dad used to host “Calendar Meetings” (which we still have) I have learned to make a plan for my day, a plan for my week, and ultimately a plan for my life.

While I understood the concept of having the plan not actually work out, I didn’t quite GET the concept until my post-grad life began.

Until you graduate college, your life is planned for you in basic increments depending on where you’re at in school.

Middle School Plan: Be smart. Learn to play field hockey.

High School Plan: Get into a good college. Play lots of field hockey.

College Plan: Get an education to get you a job. Play some field hockey.

After college, life is no longer in increments of three to six years, it’s just LIFE. So when my job search didn’t turn out as planned, I had a lot of anxiety and fear about what was my next move. There was no feeling as though something was around the corner and it seemed as though my whole life was on hold for this one thing to fall into place.

Even though I’ve found a great internship to pass the 40 hour work week, I still feel unsettled. The title of JOB is still not put in place, and I can’t cross that off the plan checklist.

So, when the plan fails you, what do you do?

Create a new plan.

While I’m obviously still working towards getting a job with benefits and some security (although nothing is ever secure!) I can focus on other things in my professional and personal life which ultimately work towards my long term goals.

Professional:

• Become Adwords Fundamentals Certified (working on it through my internship)
• Go to at least one professional networking session a month
• Get to know more people at work

Personal:

• Make something new for dinner each week
• Continue to read at least a book a month
• Find a way to get involved with a charity in a post-college way (that does not include fundraising)

Already, I’ve started to adjust to post-grad life and have figured out a few ways to feel more stable. I joined a gym that I can go to on my way home from work, and I’m in the process of signing a lease for a great apartment to live in Brookline come September for the next year.

So while I can’t control where my plan ultimately takes me, I have faith that it is moving in the right direction and can take small steps to help my long term goals.

As the Alice in Wonderland saying goes:

“Which road do I take?” 

“Where do you want to go?”

“I don’t know,” Alice answered.

“Then,” said the cat, “it doesn’t matter.”