With the course material so far, I’ve learned how essential it is for me to have insight into what I am doing as a student and a person that will soon be more active in the job industry. So far it has been helpful reflecting on where I came from, the people that I have been surrounded by, and how all of these external factors influence my decisions within my career, my school, and my extracurricular activities. Growing up in a family with four siblings, I see how my constant comparison to these individuals has impacted what I decide to do. For example, one of my sisters is very passionate about computer science, and for a couple of years throughout middle school and high school, I convinced myself to follow this path because she was also doing it. It was also recognized as more impressive than alternative careers such as writing and editing, and made me seem “more impressive.” However, as the years went on, I realized that I am not actually interested in comp. science and that I am solely doing it to fulfill the expectations of others.
I enjoy that this course is giving me practical and realistic methods to do this reflection constantly, and will help guide me in the direction of choosing a career that aligns with who I am and gives me the independence to explore my passions. I am discovering how my own choices are led by mental shortcuts and having too many choices to the point that it is overwhelming. These feelings of stress that arrive from these choices have confined me to decisions that I am still not sure about. When I chose to come to Wesleyan, a part of me was really trying to limit my choices and not have to broaden my research and decisions. I did not honestly know much about Wesleyan coming in, and I attribute this fault to having so many choices. However, if I were to redo the college process. I would think more about myself, my skills, and my goals to have more intentional research done. I would try not to stress myself out and give myself time and room to make a more insightful decision.
I am excited to see where this course takes me and how attending career events, and talking to my networks, will influence where I end up spending my time next year. As I reflect, I do see how I chose this course to discover more about myself as a person, as an employee, and as a student. I am ready to do the work that is required to find myself and ground myself in a new “work identity.” I am slowly learning to silence the voices of some of my family members, my peers, and American society so that I can make decisions for myself that will help me come closer to working with my passions. It is my responsibility to myself and my career to have insight on why I am doing what I am doing.
