It’s that time (again)…
Nov 4th, 2007 by Tony
Depends… we’re not talking about adult undergarments; we’re talking about one of the ultimate CYA words in our language. It gives us the freedom to say almost anything we want, because we have provided the ultimate qualification: it depends.
Can I have a new bike? Depends on your grades.
Will I write a blog for Jen this month? Depends on if she bribes me with cookies.
Well, there were no cookies but I decided to type this puppy up anyways. As you know, I like to vent; and this month brings another whiny episode from yours truly. Deal with it.
As I wrote about once before, I find it comical that most of us make one of life’s biggest decisions at 18 years old. And as I mentioned in that same article, I decided I need a do-over. Now I’m about 12 weeks into my MBA program, and it’s time to make that big decision all over again. This time (I’m a man) I’m 30 (sorry - couldn’t resist the Mike Gundy reference. Your hubbies will understand.) So this decision will be well informed and confidently made. Right?
Ummm, sure.
When I first went back to school I knew exactly what I wanted to do. It only took about 2 weeks for that to change, and now 10 weeks later I’m feeling the urge to go a third direction.
So, what exactly is the benefit of being older and wiser when making this decision? As far as I can tell, I am more concerned I am going to make the wrong decision, more aware of the consequences of my decision, and already pondering the ramifications both in my search for an internship summer 2008 and my full time search come summer 2009. Not only that but this time there are 5 other living beings under my roof counting on me to make the right decision.
Good grief.
In reality, choosing my major (apparently I’m supposed to call it my concentration) is not the end all be all. There are a LOT of electives that are required for one concentration, recommended for another, and vice versa. So I’m going to hedge my bets by taking classes that will give me some options.
Now when you ask me about my future plans, I can honestly deliver the MBA pad answer: it depends.
Wow - tough decision! I hope that you hang in there and choose what you feel is best for you at that time. It sure is a good feeling to be true to yourself and stick with what you really want. I feel that way now that I am ‘older’ (and hopefully wiser). Best of luck on your journey and choices!!
One day at a time. . .that’s all you can do. I wish you the best and commend you for taking on this challenge. I look forward to reading about your experiences.
As Bill the Cat would say, “ACK!”
Yep, you’re definitely a grown-up now, grasshopper. Much like a fast metabolism, having all the answers is a privilege of youth. It was easy to know what to do before you knew what you were doing. Ignorance was bliss, huh? Now that you’re getting educated about the world you thought you had figured out, you’re opening your mind up to options you might not have known existed. That’s okay — that’s what school is for. If you were so smart and had all the answers, why would you need to get an MBA? So to my way of thinking, you’re actually in good shape. Take the internship that feels right to you and you’ll make it the right one. Trust yourself as much as Jen and Ellie do. : ) (I don’t know about the other three living beings in your house; they might think you’re a jerk… kidding!)
I have been married to an incredible husband, father and provider for the last 23 years. Together we have created the five most incredible children. When we first got married he had just finished his first of five years at Bible College. I worked in day care and during those early years we also started to add children into our family. When he had graduated (with honors
and was looking to move in the direction he had always thought he would go, which was teaching in a Seminary. He stopped. He wondered. He struggled to figure out if that was really what he wanted to do with his life. He felt the same weight of that decision that you feel. Like yourself he had a wife and child/children to think about and was he making the best decision for everyone involved. As difficult as it was he decided to move in a different direction. He actually took a job at a hospital working as an attendant. He loved that work but during the late 80’s the health care system in Canada took a very difficult turn and he lost his job. Fortuantely the Canadian gov’t had a programme in place where if you had lost your job in the hospital they would pay for you to return to school and become retrained. He jumped at it but it also meant three more years of schooling (now we had 3 children) he went into the computer field and has an incredible job and most importantly….he LOVES what he does. Where those difficult years….uhhhhh yeah. Where they challenging years…yup. Where they are financial struggle…..YES. Would I change the fact that he is now in a job that he loves and knows that’s where he belongs…..Absolutely Not !!!