Source: Daily Tar Heel
POSTED BY Jordan Graves on Wednesday February 13, 2013.
"Now, more than ever, we need people who don't know what they want to be when they grow up."2/13/2013 - Corey Ford, CEO of Matter Ventures, at the TEDxUNC conference.
Source: Daily Tar Heel POSTED BY Jordan Graves on Wednesday February 13, 2013.
74 Comments
Shannon
2/17/2013 08:01:45 am
Someone once told me that the easiest way to disappoint yourself in life is by having a timeline. If you give yourself a plan to live by and stick to, you'll end up missing out on where life wants to take you and instead go only in the direction you think you want to go. If we all knew how to get to the places we wanted to be, we would be there, but we don't know these ways and most of us don't even know what exactly we want. Ford talked about the "drunken walk" he took in order to gain success. Having a major in the liberal arts field, I've often been criticized by my parents for not having a "plan." The more conventional path of law school or med school would have been acceptable because I would know exactly what I'm going to be doing for the next 5-10 years of my life. There's a pressure to know what your immediate future holds when you're paying so much money for an education. Having foresight is not a bad thing. However, for me there was more value in knowing that I did NOT want to go to med school than in knowing exactly what I want to be doing as a post-grad. I've left open ways to fill the gaps and translate my passions into my future. I'm not complacent or apathetic towards my future, I'm just enthusiastically uncertain.
Annie
2/17/2013 08:21:10 am
When I first came to college, I thought that I wanted to be a business major. I was set on applying to the business school and then going from there. Yet, after a simple conversation with my older brother where he asked me "why do you want to do that" I realized that maybe I didn't. Maybe I just thought that I was suppose to do that.
Hayley Crowell
2/17/2013 01:58:37 pm
Since I'm a second-semester senior deep in the throes of job searching, this quote was very comforting for me. At some of the job interviews I've had, I've had several employers ask me what my long-term career goals are. It's a hard question to answer considering I'm not even sure what my short-term career goals are besides simply getting a job. Right now, it's almost easier to tell someone what I don't want to do: teach high school, do anything math- or science-related, be a housewife. But that could all change in the next five years. (Actually, no, I'm pretty sure I still won't like math and science!)
Annie
5/6/2013 04:38:21 pm
@hayley crowell..I can relate to you...soooo much!!
Kelsea Chapman
2/18/2013 01:29:40 am
I am just a sophomore this year, but one of the things I'm very glad I did coming into UNC was having an undecided major. I had my ideas of what I might want to do, but was not completely set on it. I thought I wanted to major in business, but after only one year, I realized that was not what I wanted to do, and I am now majoring in journalism which is something with which I feel more comfortable. The reason I am so glad I started out undecided is that I didn't have any pressure to go into one direction, and I wasn't devastated when I realized I didn't like something as much as I thought I would. I have seen several people start out on one track and get very let down when they realize they aren't happy doing what they thought they would like to do. I think making an eighteen year old choose the career they're going to do for the rest of their life is almost an unrealistic expectation. Most people do not end up doing what they thought they were going to do in high school, so I think it is important to consider all your options especially at schools like UNC.
Kayla Slake
2/18/2013 02:11:12 am
I think that anyone who is currently in college or has graduated from any university can see the beauty in this quote. I am a sophomore and I started my college career with a plan. A plan that I would major in a science/math field with an ambition to become an architect. During orientation I registered for Chem 101 and the lab, not expecting anything to deter my goals academically.
Ryan Passer
2/19/2013 06:11:42 am
This quote is fantastic. So many many people come into college with their lives planned out in a completely linear path. Perhaps one person wants to be a businessman so that he can be financially secure. Maybe another wants to be a doctor because her parents always said she'd be a great one. Or perhaps someone decided on what they wanted to be without any outside pressures a long time ago, and have never strayed from that course or even entertained the idea of doing so. Regardless of the reasoning, those who come to college with the intent of confining themselves to a specific path can potentially miss out on true internal satisfaction.
Maciej Gonek
2/20/2013 12:44:13 am
I do appreciate this quote. All my life, I would see myself as anything when people asked me "what do you wanna be when you grow up?" I believe that receiving an education at a school like UNC should be about opening up your mind to the world. After taking a class, or even having a simple conversation with a person in the same dorm, one should look at life in the world differently. An education shouldn't be about fulfilling the requirements for a career you think you want (although it can be a consideration) but instead to open up your mind to different cultures, practices, and inner workings of everything around you. This includes the study of life, the cognition of people, common business practices, new technologies, and the history and literature of humanity at its finest. Doing all this makes a person more understanding and appreciative. I believe that when a person finally is a bit more concrete in their career path, these experiences will help that person become the best they can be to themselves and to the people around them.
Alexandra Gladu
2/20/2013 05:25:32 am
I came to Carolina knowing that I wanted to be in J-School, on the public relations track. Currently a second-semester sophomore, I am still pursuing that agenda and I couldn't be happier. However, my specific interests in the public relations field have shifted dramatically, oscillating between sports PR, non-profit PR, international PR, and government public affairs. Today's college students need to be smart about their futures, and part of that means being open to any opportunity that comes their way. It is not enough anymore to just keep up with knowledge, technology, and the job market, we have to stay ahead of it and be prepared for anything.
Margaret Engellenner
2/20/2013 06:00:33 am
When applying to college, I was under the impression that I had to choose a major; that I had to make a decision about what I wanted to do with my life. Many of the universities I applied to almost forced you to make a decision because you applied to a specialty school within the larger university such as the business or engineering school. On the Common Application, there was a required space where you filled in your major. I had absolutely no clue what I wanted to do with my life and the truth is I still don’t.
Rebecca Stephenson
2/20/2013 06:11:52 am
This quote is an excellent response to Pat McCrory's verbal attack on liberal arts college courses. Governor McCrory clearly does not remember what it was like to be 20 years old. When I came to UNC, I was dead set on majoring in political science and going to law school. A year and a half later, my plan is entirely different. I think that the glory of a liberal arts education is that it gives you the freedom to change your mind a million times. I don't see college as a time to merely train for the future. I believe that a true college experience should challenge you, push you outside of your comfort zone, and allow you to explore your passion.
Jenny
2/20/2013 11:24:46 am
I think this is a great quote. Not knowing is part of the journey. If you had all the answers and knew exactly where you were going and what you were going to do, life would be boring. It's the changes and the unexpected that keeps it exciting.
Taylor Baird
2/21/2013 05:59:04 am
I attended TEDx UNC 2013 and had the privilege of hearing Corey Ford speak, his message was my favorite of the 17 presentations that day. As a speaker, he quickly captured the attention of the audience with his message and prestigious experience following graduation from UNC-Capel Hill (undergrad) and Stanford Business School. His interest in the world of media and journalism lead him across the country and back with an impressive resume at a young age. This quote explains why his "random" career experience was so captivating .Corey said he still dreams about what he wants to be when he grows up. He metaphorically referred to his career - starting at UNC - as a "drunkin' walk" because he had/has no "final stop". I thought this was genius. On his "drunkin' walk" he said one thing was constant: having a desire to advance in his field and personally have a hand in that advancement. This principle lead him on a crazy path but looking back now, he said wouldn't change a thing.
Angus Robertson
2/21/2013 08:32:49 am
Ford addresses a concept of extreme importance in today's world for a number of reasons. Rarely, if ever, does a student benefit from specializing too quickly. More often than not they simply miss out on opportunities to develop a widely applicable skill set. Furthermore, in an age of economic uncertainty and constantly shifting industries, developing one's skill set can be of great value when seeking a job after graduation.
Kristin
2/21/2013 08:50:05 am
Growing up with a father involved in investment banking, I came into Carolina as a Business major due to my knowledge of the business world my father had shared with me throughout the years. I thought that since he did it, I should too. I was supposed to do it. But, after taking a few business related classes, I realized that business was not for me.
Lucinda
2/21/2013 10:06:50 am
This quote reminds me of the many, many people I've spoken to at Carolina who have expressed uncertainty at their choice of major, and where it might take them in the future. I know that I am one of those people. In the past two years, I have vacillated between at least a dozen options: History, English, Journalism, Philosophy, Biology, Computer Sciences, Art and Film, to name a few. I've settled on English and Journalism, but I still question my decision every day because I wonder if there is something out there that better suits me.
Francie Mangan
2/25/2013 12:11:38 am
This quote exemplifies one of the many aspects of the college experience, finding one’s passion or one’s field of interest. In addition to the many social aspects of college, college allows you to learn about yourself and the different areas of society that interest you. This quote exemplifies this idea because it encourages college students to take different classes and expose themselves to various academic areas. By going into to college with an open mind, rather than with a fixed plan or major, allow students to absorb information and experience different academic areas until they find their niche.
Laura Fisher
4/10/2013 10:35:36 am
Smith's quote and message from TEDxUNC about never planning your life more than two years in advance should be remembered by all students, especially incoming freshman to UNC. When I was a freshman in high school, I planned out my next eight years, assuming I would stay on the path to becoming a doctor. However, I came to UNC and was faced with a diversity of major options, remaining undecided for almost two years before declaring a journalism major. Looking back to my freshman year of high school and the plan I made for myself, I realize how miserable I would be if I had continued down that track. It is essential that students do not get too caught up in career paths, competition and the success of their future. Although college may seem like the great unknown to many incoming freshman, it is the perfect opportunity to explore subjects that you've never considered and find something you are truly excited to learn about.
Sequaia Bivens
4/10/2013 12:58:29 pm
This quote speaks all about my life. Growing up people would always ask, "What do you want to be when you grow up." As high school began to come to a close they started to ask me what I wanted to go to college for and I found myself with a different answer every time.
Avery Williamson
4/14/2013 06:16:47 am
I think this quote resonates with most students who are constantly exposed to the pressures of our modern society. In a University setting, it seems like most of my peers only engage in activities that will build their resume. We have forgotten how life altering serendipitous experiences can be. While it is important to set goals and have ambitions, I think everyone could benefit by expanding their long-term plans.
Anastasia Bowden
4/14/2013 01:06:01 pm
I have always been the type of person to plan out every part of my day, even when it doesn’t seem I have much to do. I write lists all day long and I strive to cross off each item within the time I have allotted myself. It had never been a problem coming up with goals and items to write down, that is, until I came to college.
Anna
4/16/2013 03:46:29 am
I have always known that I wanted to enter the journalism field in some way, shape, or form. However, it is hard for me to give a concrete answer as to what career path I want to follow upon graduating college. This statement really captures the uncertainty that many students feel and acknowledges that it's okay. Only through exploring many different media outlets have I begun to figure out what really engages me. My uncertainty has allowed me to have a more open mind and to discover new ways in which to apply my love for writing. I am looking forward to seeing where it takes me.
Kayla Moore
4/17/2013 06:48:11 am
This is wonderful. As someone who has changed her path many times, whether by choice, or because of outside forces, I have seen that life can bring you to amazing places if you just let it. I have always been that person that wanted to have a set path for peace of mind, but I have been shown repeatedly that a lot of that time, it just doesn't work. I think about where and I am now and it's because of the breaks in my so-called "set" path. The opportunities that I have encountered, the people that I've met, I owe it all to the unexpected.
Andrew McCarthy
4/19/2013 05:57:19 am
It's great to hear this quote come from a CEO of a company. I think now more than ever students are pushed by teachers and parents to create a finite "plan" after graduation. Although it's certainty helpful have an idea of what you want to do after school, it's not the end of the world if that plan doesn't work out. The most important thing is to find a career that makes you happy. For some that may come right after college, and for others that may come years later.
Sam McGee
4/22/2013 01:00:54 am
I have never been one for planning ahead. I prefer to live in the present and go with whatever comes my way, and this CEO's remark reassures me that this is alright. Lucky for me, my parents have never been ones to pressure me to make plans for the future, they just want me to be happy, and I think this is the message the CEO is trying to achieve with this quotation. If all you are worried about in life is being successful and getting the "perfect" job, more times than not you will miss out on the things that make you happy. So live in the present and do more of what makes you happy, and in the words of Confucius, "choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."
Kelly
4/22/2013 08:04:46 am
It is honestly a relief to hear a CEO say those words. I'm a planner, and I always have been. When I first came to Carolina I had all kinds of ideas for what I wanted to do with my life, and they all fell through. Finally in a class during the second semester of my sophomore year, I have found something that makes me happy and marries many of my skills. I had anxiety not knowing my future for the first one and a half years, but I had to remember that nothing in life comes fast or easy.
Emily Simmons
4/23/2013 05:34:53 am
"Now, more than ever, we need people who don't know what they want to be when they grow up."
Bradford Bridgers
4/23/2013 09:59:44 am
This is so important. All our lives we're given a timeline: go to school, get into college, focus on one or two majors, do multiple internships, get a job, have a career. We make plans years in advance and are quickly disappointed when these plans fail. We often forget to explore ourselves and our environments for what really make us happy. I think that here at UNC we're given this opportunity. We're thought to think for ourselves and be resourceful. We're prepared for all aspects of life, regardless of career paths or interests. That way, when we're out experiencing life after college and we finally realize our true passions, we're prepared with the societal skills and diverse knowledge base needed to make the necessary steps to be successful. Coming from a CEO, this quote is extremely important. It proves you don't have to 100% know yourself and your passions by the time you graduate college. There's always time for growth and discovery.
Lucie
4/23/2013 12:31:24 pm
"Now, more than ever, we need people who don't know what they want to be when they grow up."
Jessica Milbern
4/24/2013 12:17:49 am
Some of the most remarkable people that have created lasting legacies in the history of society have reached such level of success by venturing “outside the box”. This quote serves as a reminder that people need to keep an open mind and not limit themselves to only what they believe their capabilities are. People restrict themselves too often— it is commonly said that people are often their worst critics, and I definitely agree with that.
Thomas Webster
4/25/2013 01:07:20 am
Stepping onto the UNC-CH campus I had no definite plan for my four years of academics. I thought possibly business school because how can mastering business not lead to financial gain. Next was multimedia, poetry, sciences, until eventually I settled on something that takes on purpose in my life. Im a strategic communications major within the Journalism school and an entrepreneurship minor. 4/25/2013 12:21:11 pm
This quote applies to me because of the background I come from and the choices I made during my four years at the University of North Carolina. I am a first generation Asian American with parents that immigrated from South Korea. They wanted to chase the American dream, but could not overcome the obstacle that was English as a Second Language. Instead of focusing their energies on grasping English, they taught me how to speak Korean so I would be able to connect with my family abroad and my heritage.
Annie
5/6/2013 05:00:18 pm
10 minutes back I was once again bombed with the same legendary question "What do you want to do in life? What is your goal??". All I could say was,"I do not know"...After that I googled "people who did know what they wanted to do in life" and came across this page and felt really nice :).
Annie
5/6/2013 05:00:30 pm
10 minutes back I was once again bombed with the same legendary question "What do you want to do in life? What is your goal??". All I could say was,"I do not know"...After that I googled "people who did know what they wanted to do in life" and came across this page and felt really nice :).
Annie..
5/6/2013 05:00:59 pm
10 minutes back I was once again bombed with the same legendary question "What do you want to do in life? What is your goal??". All I could say was,"I do not know"...After that I googled "people who did know what they wanted to do in life" and came across this page and felt really nice :).
Annie..
5/6/2013 05:01:41 pm
10 minutes back I was once again bombed with the same legendary question "What do you want to do in life? What is your goal??". All I could say was,"I do not know"...After that I googled "people who did know what they wanted to do in life" and came across this page and felt really nice :).
Annie
5/6/2013 05:07:40 pm
oh sorry, this comment got published 4 times. but each time I submitted and some error occurred and it asked to submit again.. 9/23/2013 04:11:16 am
I definitely agree with this statement. Globally, the United States is having to compete with countries like China and India, where the next generation is participating in jobs unlike their past. Incorporating technology and business into their economies means the increased education of its population. In order to compete, students in the US must become innovators and inventors again; jobs must be more than an opportunity to earn money to fuel consumption but opportunities to change the world.
Adria
9/23/2013 11:28:36 am
I think that the true meaning of the quote isn't necessarily that it's a good thing to have no direction in life, but that it's a positive attribute to be multi-faceted rather than being dead set on pursuing only one career goal. Times have certainly changed--our generation is expected to switch jobs 10-15 times. Only those that are open minded and experienced in a variety of skills will be able to keep up, but more importantly, excel.
Nicole
9/23/2013 12:55:45 pm
I would never expect anything following the word “drunken” to have truly constructive implications. Corey Ford though, has shown me that a drunken path can be so much better than a static and sober one. “Go to school, go to college, get a degree, get a job and don’t lose it—bam. Life equals complete.” This is the path that most of us our expected to take: a line. A line that takes us directly from A to B to C with few mishaps along the way if we work hard enough. Having reflected upon life and Ford’s presentation, I come to the conclusion that a linear path seems not only unrealistic, but also highly unexciting. This belief gives me the comfort that I am not doomed to fail because I have still been unable to decide what I want to do and what major I truly want to pursue. Like many others, I came to college with the hope of finally figuring out what I want to do. However, instead of narrowing my choices, college has only made me more aware of the vastness of possibilities. And now that I think about it, broadening my interests, knowledge, and horizons cannot possibly be a negative outcome. Yes, it makes the challenge to decide greater, but also, so much more interesting than I expected. And it is this openness to different ideas that I hope will enable me to go in fascinating directions that I could never have anticipated.
Kameron Spence
9/24/2013 06:55:11 am
I can relate to this quote because I still do not know what I want to be when I grow up. I had an "undecided" major for the longest time. I asked my dad for advise and he told me to apply to the business school just to see if I could get in. Crazy enough, I was accepted into Kenan-Flagler business school; however, just because I was accepted did not mean I had any more inclination of what I wanted do. I am still trying to figure it out today, but I believe I am a little closer. I am guessing I will end up with a career in a business field, but you never know.
Emma Park
9/24/2013 09:50:57 am
An incredibly refreshing comment in a world where it seems like "What's your major?" and "What are your career plans?" seem to be two of the most frequently voiced questions to young people. For me, Ford's words shouldn't undermine knowing your education or work goals; I think that if you truly know what you want to do or be, then you should do what you can to achieve those things. But today, many people seem to believe that since knowing what you want to be is or can be good, then by default the opposite is bad. And this environment is dangerous to creativity and spontaneity. Students are so often focused on having a one-way, fast-tracked path to a career because that is what they believe they should want. In reality, though, it keeps students from exploring other options, options which may have been far better suited to the students' talents or interests than their concrete goal. Asking questions, exploring, thinking about vastly different things; these are parts of uncertainty that often lead to brilliant solutions, new concepts, and unexpected collaborations. As Ford says, "we need people who don't know what they want to be." And along those same lines, we need a culture that embraces not knowing.
Chris McCue
9/24/2013 10:27:33 am
When I came to college I was 100% sure that I wanted to enlist in the business school and study consulting. That was what I wanted to do but, more importantly, that is what my parents wanted me to do. I grew up in a household that revolved around the business world and ever since I can remember my dad has always pushed me towards the business school. Now, after going through college courses and thinking about what I want to do, I am currently in the Journalism school and am planning on specializing in advertising. I am happy that I didn't pursue the business school and that is why I feel as though this quote is relatable. I never truly knew what I wanted to do until I explored some college courses and really tested myself on what avenue I wanted to take.
Leigh Browder
9/24/2013 11:42:07 am
This comment, more than ever, needs to be known by all. Entering college I believed that I needed to know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. After taking a few classes I realized that it was what I didn't know that fueled my greatest happiness. Not knowing a future promises creativity and aspiration. One of my biggest role models pulled my aside a few weeks into my sophomore year and told me that he, a 58 year old, still did not know what he wanted to be when he grew up. Some times doing what you love and not having a specific plan can be the best plan.
Molly Moser
9/24/2013 12:07:27 pm
The pressure to have your whole life planned out by the time you graduate is a killer of creativity. Students should be encouraged to challenge themselves and explore subjects they find interesting rather than just practical. The world needs creative people to change it for the better, and making young students feel as though majoring in English or Sociology is a waste of their education, because it doesn't lead directly into a career, is not a productive way of facilitating creativity.
Scott
9/25/2013 07:22:49 am
True, especially in a university setting. I think entering college, I had my mind set on one goal and thought everything else would fall into place. I couldn't have been more wrong. A university filled with students who are unsure of what they want to be or do makes students more susceptible to learn. When students aren't 'set in their ways,' they will be more open to learning new ideas.
Makiho
9/29/2013 02:08:09 am
This is wonderful and inspiring. Today, I believe students are overly pressured to believe that if you know what you want to do and how to do it that you will be successful in life. However, the truth is there is no one ultimate way to success. In reality, it is more complicated. The market is becoming more interconnected and the job market is even more competitive. It is important to be open-minded and capable to adapt to any changes that occur around you and to yourself. Molding yourself in an innovative way in the course of change is what really should be praised.
Leeann Chen
9/29/2013 09:14:17 am
Look at how many comments there are for this quote! I see a lot of kids stressed out about coming up with a perfect career, and it's ridiculous. The truth is people are multifaceted and complicated. Normal people do not love just one thing. So stop aiming for that. I don't believe a single job can completely satisfy you; it's a combination of having healthy relationships and a job that caters to your strengths.
Alina Davinson
9/29/2013 01:06:39 pm
The question I dread the most, and ironically the one I get asked the most, from adults especially, is the simple, but complicated "what do you want to do with your life?". My answer every time is "I have no idea" which seems to be a disappointment to most. I came to college planning to be a pharmacist, mostly because my mom really wanted me to, but things didn't work out, as they often don't. I changed my major to communications and have looked into PR, but I'm still not set on what I want to do. The future is probably the most stressful/scariest thing I can think of, but this quote really gives me hope. To me, it shows that limiting yourself to a specific plan decreases your chances of doing something great in life. Exploring different careers can lead you to discover your true passion in life that you would have never known to exist if you had stuck with one specific job. Although I, and many others, can't see what we'll be doing in five years, everything always falls in place as it should. It's important to open yourself up to the various options in life and who knows, you could start out confused out of your mind, but end up doing some pretty great things in this world.
Alyssa Armstrong
9/29/2013 01:48:41 pm
I absolutely love this quote! It's a fantastic reminder that people do not have to have their lives completely planned out. There is beauty in sometimes not knowing where your life will take you.
Erica Gurganus
9/30/2013 03:34:24 am
I love this quote! I feel like it fits many students when they arrive at UNC. I was one of them. When I came to UNC last year, I had not clue what I wanted to do. Now I have found a love for journalism and I am very glad that I was given this great opportunity to explore. That is one great thing about Carolina….Students are able to explore anything they want before jumping to declaring a major and/or a minor.
Megan Mulherin
9/30/2013 05:02:56 am
I completely agree with this quote! I have changed my major FOUR times in the last two years and I'm thinking about tweaking it even more. One of the most important qualities is to have an open mind and to find a passion for something. No successful people got there easily and to be successful you have to be willing to fail and overcome that failure. I thought I wanted to be a nurse for a while but had to accept that I just wasn't qualified for that kind of major. I am now a PR major and love it but am still not sure where exactly that will take me but I'm content with the idea of uncertainty as long as I strive to do what I'm good at.
Mary Frances Pace
9/30/2013 06:48:51 am
This quote reminds me of what my mentor at church once said to me. I asked him what he, as a child, wanted to be when he grew up. Now in his mid-forties, he responded, "I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up." I love the idea that as we progress through life, we can change our paths and do what makes us happiest.
Mary Frances Buoyer
9/30/2013 07:10:33 am
I believe this is an exceptional response to Pat McCrory's statement criticizing the importance of a liberal arts education. I believe that these days, people of our generation are expected to have a timeline of our lives, beginning from lower school up until our first job. We are told that we must do everything in our power to meet the next "check" on our list. I feel as if our generation has a tainted view of education because the competition to be accepted to college and hired for internships and later full-time employment is too intense. The liberal arts education has been shafted because it offers no direct pre-employment path. These days, people often give you a quizzical look if you tell them that you're an English major as if to say, "What will you do with that?"
Ashley Cirone
9/30/2013 01:06:18 pm
I appreciate this comment because I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. I know what interests me, I know what I think I might be good at, but that's about the extent of my knowledge on the subject. I just hope to one day find a job that I really enjoy, and at this point I am hoping I just sort of fall into that position. I know it's not the best to go into something without a game plan, but I also know that in life you can't properly prepare for everything. This quote gives me some piece of mind about not fully knowing what I want to do with my life, and I'm glad that the world needs more people like me! People who don't have a mapped out plan have more room to be innovative, to step outside their comfort zone, and to think outside the box, and I hope to be able to do that in the future as well.
Kathleen
10/1/2013 02:50:38 am
Coming into Carolina I was sure that I was going to be a business major, but now I am a junior journalism major doing PR. I was under the impression that in order to be successful I had to be in the B-School, but now I know that's not the case
Jon
10/1/2013 05:30:34 am
Through my college experience I have learned that one of the most important, beneficial characteristics one can have is the ability to adapt to any situation they find themselves in. I am a Junior now and have changed my major 4 times already. I still am not absolutely positive what I want to do after college because I keep learning so much and finding new interests that I wish to learn as much as I can about. This desire pushes me to change my idea of what I will need to do after I graduate to consider myself successful and I continue to adapt to these ideas. This ability to adapt and continue to strive for excellence in anything I wish to do is, in my opinion, my greatest strength. One must always keep an open mind and be willing to try something new whenever the opportunity presents itself because you never know what new interest you may have in the future and with this open mind one can ultimately develop many skills that others may not possess.
Madison
10/1/2013 06:14:09 am
This statement is very comforting for undergraduate students like myself who are still not confident about their intended majors. I do know where my interests lie but that doesn't mean I know where I'll end up after graduation, whether it be grad school, law school, or searching for a job. Students who aren't sure what they want to do when they go out into the "real world" are not doomed for failure though. Learning how to be flexible in new environments and adapting to the changing job market is more important than choosing a profession when you're 18 or 19 years old. New jobs are being created as technology advances and the people who are able to adapt to those changes are the ones who will ultimately succeed, whether they have very specific degrees tailored to certain jobs or not.
Rebecca Iglehart
10/1/2013 10:32:31 am
When I was a freshman I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to major in or be when I graduated. I couldn't imagine doing only one thing for the rest of my life and I thought that the highly ranked jobs that pay well were boring. At first I wanted to study journalism and spanish but then I became so stressed with trying to pick something and plan out my life so I considered entering the Peace Corps. Now I'm interested in political science and philosophy, planning on applying to law school. But that might change too. I like feeling young and just taking classes to see what interests me. I had never considered PR until a class I'm taking this semester and it's making me reconsider my options. I'm not a huge planner when it comes to the far future but I like not knowing what I am going to do or how my life will play out exactly.
Alexis Jordan
10/1/2013 11:45:29 am
As an extremely indecisive yet inspired person, it was and still is extremely hard to decide what I am going to do with the rest of my life. As a type A personality, this used to stress me out day in and day out. It wasn't until I had a discussion with my grandmother the summer before Junior year that I realized that my indecisiveness was okay. She explained to me that life isn't like a checklist. You don't just write down what you do and check it off after it is completed. Rather its a journey. It's not about where you start, because life will take you so many places and teach you so many things that you're a completely different, and better, person after its done with you, and that's okay. I'm learning to go where my heart tells me, and not my mind. I think that as long as you have some sort of faith that everything will end just as it should be, you'll be all right.
Daniel Wilco
10/1/2013 12:52:21 pm
When I came home from Chapel Hill for the first time after freshman year, I was repeatedly grilled on the same question asked of many of my peers: "So, what do you want to do after college?" Having entered UNC as an undeclared major and remaining so until the second semester of my sophomore year, I typically didn't have a concrete answer. I could tell someone what I liked to do for fun, but when it came to what I would like to do for a living, I drew a blank. When pressed on the matter of the seemingly forever-away life after UNC, I usually resorted to the curt but true "I don't know." While I didn't have motives at the time for not having a clear path set for my future, after two years at Carolina, I wouldn't change a thing. Not knowing what lies in store for you forces you to open yourself up to new experiences and new challenges that you might not encounter in a pre-determined path. In my opinion, it's the only way to truly find out what matters to you so you can finally answer "What do you want to do with your life?"
Aleise
10/1/2013 01:11:00 pm
In the United States, anyone older than 18 is considered an adult. At that age, people, generally, leave for college. Then they are expected to decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives. Some are not even sure WHO they are after that time. So, many people enter college having a faint glimmer of a goal, if they are lucky. College is supposed to be a time of discovery, this includes figuring out their life's ambitions. By not knowing what they want to do, people are more open to different possibilities not just, "I'm going to be a doctor/teacher/lawyer/etc. and that's that." It gives people the chance to take lots of different classes and become more well-rounded individuals.
Allison Wall
10/1/2013 02:24:45 pm
I studied abroad in Chile for a semester in high school. All of the students in my class were astonished that I did not know what career I wanted to have. They were also about to graduate and attend schools specifically geared towards their future jobs. I would have been forced to enter into a career without seeing my various options and finding a passion for what I wanted to do. I would probably hate my life right now. I am still not positive what I want to do, but I have enjoyed my recent classes in the J-School and am interested in Advertising and Public Relations. I did not know anything about these before coming to college. If I had to choose a destination instead of relying on the journey in order to find a career I excel at and enjoy, I don't believe I would choose the right option. So much is learned at the collegiate level, and I don't believe we can all make the best career choice for ourselves before learning more about the world and what it has to offer.
Jackie O'Shaughnessy
10/1/2013 03:39:14 pm
As a junior in college who, yes, has declared a major, but no, has NO idea what she's doing after college - I find this quote extremely refreshing. At this point, I know what my strengths are, I have a resume, I'm pretty good at interviews, but I have no real grasp on where I'd like to be in five years.
Elizabeth Kemp
10/1/2013 11:33:19 pm
I find it very ironic that I came across this statement, because I just wrote an entire essay for my business application based on this! When I was in the fifth grade, I wanted to be a cardiothoracic surgeon, and at one point in my life I think I wanted to be an astronaut and a vet. Now, I still have no idea what I want to be! My mind changes constantly, and I think it's a good think. I would have never taken a PR class if I knew I was going to be a doctor, and I wouldn't have applied for a business minor if I had a fifteen-year career plan set out in stone. I think it's important to acknowledge that college is a time for student to explore, and I find it intimidating when people can say they are going to be the CEO of some big company in ten years—I don't even know what I am going to be doing next week! I am one of the most organized people in the world and constantly make lists of my goals, but I never put much worry into planning out what I am going to do with my life because I am confident in my abilities and I know that they will get me to where I am eventually destined to go in life. I think more people should have this attitude, especially college students!
Josh Chang
10/8/2013 10:29:49 am
I really appreciate this quote coming from a CEO of a successful company. There are so many people out there that believe they should already have a clear plan of what they want to do even before going to college and that not having one is a negative thing. Oftentimes, this leads them to go through the motions of majoring in a field that they once thought was important to them only to find out they're actually interested in something else. This quote is assurance that that's okay and not a bad thing to be unsure of what area of study or field of work you want to go into. Coming from a CEO, it's powerful because it shows that successful people at the top not only recognize the struggles that students go through, but also appreciate them as a basis for possible investment and interest.
Trey Mangum
10/8/2013 10:47:55 am
I really like this quote and I think it is something notable that any college student could use as far as advice. Nowadays when we enter college, the most important thing seems to be about getting a job. I know when I was trying to decide on a major I wasn't worried about what I wanted to do, I was thinking about what I could do when I graduated. But the job market is changing so you can kind of get jobs to tailor your interests, which is why PR is good for me because I love social media and it is perfect! My college students should realize to do what they love and love what they do. When I was in kindergarten I wanted to be a bus driver. When I was in middle school I wanted to be a teacher. In high school I wanted to be a dentist. After trying to place myself at a future career and just going with what I wanted to do, I found my love for journalism/PR.
Breonna McDuffie
11/6/2013 06:25:06 am
This quote is great! In middle school and even college, I had absolutely no idea what i wanted to do as a profession. It was only until my senior year in high school that I realized I wanted to do something that involved journalism. This quote is reassuring to those individuals who don't have any idea what it is they want to do or major in and lets them know that it is okay. In many cases, humans always feel as if they need to have a plan to succeed. Yes, I do believe a plan is beneficial, but sometimes in life its great to just go with the flow. This quote shows it is okay to not know at this moment. This quote could be beneficial to any college student, even those who believe they have it all figured out. 1/28/2014 11:39:06 pm
Interesting post, i love to visit your blog everyday
Natalie Ballard
2/17/2014 11:39:02 pm
Thinking like this is exactly the reason I chose Carolina. In high school, a representative came from UNC and gave us some advice for college: pick a major that excites you, pick classes that you want to get up for at 8am in the morning, don’t worry so much about what kind of job you’re going to have in the long run. For a girl like me, struggling to answer everyone’s prying questions (“What are you majoring in? What do you plan to do after college?”), that advice gave me some peace. In my essay for UNC, I wrote about all of my interests and my unwillingness to sacrifice one for any of the others. I wanted to do it all then, and I still want to. I don’t believe in limiting yourself to one interest or one job for the rest of your life. I agree with Ford. The willingness to change and invest in all of your interests leads to creativity that the world needs today.
Elise Karsten
4/14/2014 12:00:21 am
It's really encouraging for college students to hear a CEO say it's okay to not know what you want to do with the rest of your life. Carolina offers students a broad education and allows them to explore options, unlike other universities that force you into a major before even attending the school. Being able to be flexible instead of stuck on one path allows student's to be more well rounded. Although I have already declared advertising as my major and think that I know exactly what I want to do, there is no telling what I might come across and what path I decide to follow next.
Taryn Bergeson
4/16/2014 01:07:09 am
This quote kind of summarizes my last three years here at Carolina. I came in as a freshman wanting to be a business major (doing who knows what) and after taking an econ class realized it wasn't for me. It took until the end of my sophomore year to finally decide that I wanted to be a Communication Studies major, and until the Fall of my junior year to narrow a minor down to Public Relations in the J- School. I still don't know exactly what I want to be when I grow up, and I've finally learned that that is okay. Not everyone knows exactly what they want to do, and not everyone who thinks they know what they want to do will actually do it. The job market these days is a crazy place and you might start off thinking you like one thing, but find yourself doing a completely different job than you imagined. And I think that's really neat. Leave a Reply. |