Dearest Annie,
I’ve almost finished a bachelor’s degree in the science of politics. In doing this, I have progressively grown apathetic to the discipline as well as its social applications. What do I do with my life now?
Up a creek without a paddle
Dear Up a Creek:
I can appreciate the apathetic concerns about your major since using ‘science’ and ‘politics’ in the same sentence seems to present a 21st century oxymoron.
This may not patch the hole in your canoe but rest assured that there are legions of students just like yourself that have worked towards something only to discover it wasn’t where they wanted to be. Annie doesn’t usually reveal personal things but, for the sake of your psychological well being, I will tell you this; back in the stone-age when I was a young girl, I too reached the end of my college years with the same quandary!
So, the principle question to be asked is that of age. If you’re reasonably young (and Annie senses you are), and funding is available, you can re-route your course. Youth gives you options.
You qualify for a do-over. Yea, you!
What you do with the do-over, however, will determine if you get your paddle back. So, consider the following points:
1. Carefully consider what floats your boat. What are things you enjoy personally that have practical application in the work force? That seems like a simplistic question but it’s the principal one.
2. You may have skills that you haven’t taken seriously as potential career courses. You may even be able to extract things from that political science carcass. When in doubt, cannibalize! You will find it useful for the rest of your life.
3. What you end up doing may or may not bring you a lot of money so consider your needs in that area and plan accordingly.
4. Remember to look at the long haul because life is a marathon, not a sprint. Try to look at the entire river…the beginning, the rapids and the eventual dive over Niagara Falls. Life has an arc to it and it’s best to consider your needs for the entire run. Your needs will change as you paddle along so try to have foresight.
My brain is tired now. Hope this helps.
- Annie