Insights of a Modern Mom: Growing Up… Why Haven’t I Figured this out Yet?!

Recently, my husband has started the adventure of venturing out into a new career, in which he must endure numerous hours of training. I must admit I’m pretty excited for him, after all this is his dream job; it is also pretty interesting material. It’s made me really consider my career path and education, along with my goals for the future.

Now don’t get me wrong, I loved my college experience. I was super involved: sorority, student government, 3 part time jobs, a few student clubs and even a semester abroad! I loved my major and all the wonderful and interesting people I got to meet. I loved my college, small, private and intimate. I wouldn’t have changed anything about my college experience or my major.

Amsterdam, 2007
See end of Blog for more College Adventure Pictures!

However, I almost wish I would have continued. With all that I was involved with by the end of my undergraduate degree, I was burnt out. I was ready for a change and to make my mark in the “real” world. I really was one of the lucky ones, I graduated before the student loan markets really started to tank and I was able to get a great job within 4 months of graduation with an organization that I had moderate interest in. I’m currently with my second job since I graduated and I love the people that I work with and enjoy my job. However, both of these positions are not in a career field that I imagined I would be in. Is that a bad thing? No. Am I grateful? Yes. However, I often go back to thinking this one question I was asked as a child, “What do I want to be when I grow up?”

This really is a scary thought, especially as a get closer to the big 3-0. I feel that by the age of 30, I should have an established career, a house and know what I want to do with my life. Where I stand now (a few years shy of 30), I feel nowhere close to knowing what I want to do with my life. I have numerous interests and have even contemplated going back to school for a graduate degree. The problem is I can’t seem to make up my mind. I’ve considered teaching, social work, law (lawyer & peace officer) and nursing. I think I could do any of those things and be excellent at them, but just as I get really excited about prospects and am about to engage reality hits.

Where will I get the money to go to school? How will we get out of debt if I go to school? How will we care for the love bug if I’m going to school full time? Can I work and go to school full time? What about my dream of eventually being able to be a stay at home mom (SAHM)? Wouldn’t that be a waste of resources to go to school/training for a career and then after a few years decide to be a SAHM? And the ultimate question, “What do I want to do with my life?”

So that’s where I am, clueless. I want to find something I’m passionate about and get involved. I don’t want to be one of those people that just goes to work because they have to. I want to go to work and love what I do. Anyone else out there feeling the same? I’d love to hear your thoughts or resolutions if you have them!