Label

             Ken Steele, an education marketing consultant, organizes student motivation for entering college into four categories- the scholars, the careerists, the conflicted, and the drifters.

After consideration of these stereotypes, I pick up a tissue and wipe the tear streaming down my cheek because right away I recognize which category I fall under. That’s right, I am “the conflicted.” Ken Steele describes the conflicted as being “like a careerist (attend college as means to an end: getting a job) but are not sure where they are going…pushed into college by society or their parents.” Most people receive choices in life… but college has never been an optional topic for me. Not that this is discerning to me in any way, but college was always fate in life, due to my parents. My mom got a degree from the Ohio State University, whereas my dad got one from University of North Carolina Wilmington. Both went on to be successful in their areas of expertise.

The background now given, I now will explain the sadness of the condition of being “the conflicted.” Being one of “the conflicted” reveals the current confused state of mind I am currently in. I have absolutely no idea what I want to do. Okay, sure, I want to get a job and be successful, enjoy my life, be financially stable, and all of that good stuff that any sane person wants at my age. Although I am sure one day I will figure out what I want to do and what I really want to major in, right now I feel like a lost cause.

            My idea of a perfect career choice changes almost daily. Literally: in the past three months I have debated upon whether I want to one day receive an Oscar for screen-play writing, go to law school and be the next John Cochran, or even try to be the next psychiatrist talk show host like Oprah Winfrey. As soon as I think I know what I want, something else pops up and makes me think that I would not be exceedingly happy with my current choice. Being among “the conflicted” has it’s perks- I am always open to new ideas, but then again it is also depressing when I think about how much time I have spent taking countless career tests.

            I can only hope that Rob Thomas follows through with his words that “someday, we’ll figure all this out…” But for now I am a stick in the mud. I am one of “the conflicted.”