My Peers and Careers

Have you ever stepped back to look at all the amazing people that you know? I realized that I was friends or associates with people I knew were going to be successful. People, who you could see their potential in life, by how they pursued their dreams, or how hard they have worked in their lives. A lot of friends back home were in what was called the Academy, a selected few who submitted essays and had interviews with the staff in order to be in that group. There was a girl I knew who had an amazing singing voice and wonderful stage presence. She wanted to be an architect, and I have no doubt in my mind that one day she will be where she wants to. A few of my friends want to be doctors and nurses, like my friend Jen, and I just know she will be good at what she wants to do, especially since I've been treated by her before, when she was a CNA (Certified Nursing Assisstant). I know people who will be successful at whatever they try. Maybe it's because I see their talent or their great potential, maybe God's plan for them, I don't really know.

As for myself, I've always known I was special. Supposedly when you come out here, everyone is considered the same, but I have never felt exactly like anyone else. In school, I was the good one, the smart one, the funny one. Right now, I can see my life going so many ways, I know where I have a gift or a talent that I love or could make useful. But what I want is happiness, some life experience or career that will set me apart from my peers. All of my life, I have wanted to be a mom, to care for my children with so much love. I've also been a teacher, as my parents have informed me, especially to my sister. I never knew that I taught her so much, it was simply natural. I know that Lord has a wonderful plan for me, I've just got to find it and get going. I feel a lot of pressure to pick a major or a career, since my registration date for fall semester is coming up in a couple of weeks. I want to begin classes that will count towards that credit. I've gone over some personality tests and career tests that I had taken last year in my career exploration class, but nothing has popped out at me yet.

This is personal, but I don't mind sharing it. What I have been instructed to do, in a manner of speaking, is to choose a career that is compatible to motherhood, as it is hinted in my Patriarchal Blessing that I should choose something that will sustain my family, as needed. This has always been in the back of my mind when I've looked at different jobs, things that I would like to do. Here's a few careers that I've thought of over the years: teacher, diplomat, writer, in the military (I always thought it would be cool, and I've liked gym class, but the motherhood thing...), owning a bookstore (I don't really have any business sense though), movie critic, a newspaper editor, a columnist, a singer (maybe a choir director, as was my original intent when beginning at BYU), just something that would make people happy, and would please them. I think that's part of my personality; I always wanted to make sure other people were happy before I enjoyed my own happiness. There's a talk by John H. Groberg titled "What is your Mission" which talks about choosing a career. Some advice besides prayer and meditation, is to choose a major and try it. Go in some direction if you do not receive an answer. The Lord will tell you as you are attempting a certain subject whether it is right for you or not. So, the question is, what direction do I want to go in? That ladies and gentleman, is the million dollar question that will in nowise be answered in a moment.