It was a high school open house and I didn’t know many people besides the graduate. Looking around the back yard, I saw a young man sitting alone and decided to introduce myself. His name was Brian.
“So you’ve graduated, too?” I asked and he nodded. Anticipating my next question, he said,
“I haven’t decided what I want to do yet.”
“That’s great,” I said and he looked surprised. “I think we put too much pressure on young people to decide,” I said. “The main thing is to keep learning.”
I asked Brian about the subjects he liked in school, the jobs he’s had. And I thought back about my own education and employment adventures.
Fortunately, I was forced to take a bunch of college courses I might not have chosen — like zoology, philosophy, and music literature.
Same with jobs: I counseled at a camp, sold candy at a counter, checked out books at a library. Along the way, I learned a lot but mostly I learned about myself.
“Look for your gifts, not your career,” I said to Brian. “What do you love doing, what are you good at? The rest will follow.”
He looked doubtful.
“You look doubtful,” I said. “That’s okay. Just don’t doubt yourself. And, Brian, take your time.”
Writer Karen Anderson lives in Traverse City. Her essays are heard on IPR News Radio each Sunday at 8:39 a.m. at 10:57 a.m., and Wednesday nights at 8:21 p.m.
