Find Your Path, Not Just a Job
When you’re young, the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” feels like it defines your future. It’s a question often influenced by how much money you can make, parental expectations, or the allure of certain careers. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized the better question is: How can I be happy, healthy, and thrive?
The reality is, our generation will likely have multiple careers—not just jobs—by the time we’re 40. As Noah Huval Yarari said, “The 21st century will be characterized by constant change, and people will need to repeatedly reinvent themselves to keep up.”
This is a stark contrast to the experiences of earlier generations. My dad retired from the job he started out of tech school. My mom, to the best of my knowledge, had about three jobs before her retirement. In comparison, I’ve worked in education as a teacher and school administrator since college. But even my career path didn’t start so clearly.
When I was in high school and the “What do you want to be?” conversations started, my answers ranged from FBI agent to lawyer to chiropractor. My first college major was physical therapy—but I was terrible at biology and didn’t have the passion for it. I wanted to work with kids, so I switched to athletic training. However, I quickly realized I didn’t want a job that involved traveling nights and weekends, and the thought of dealing with compound fractures made me squeamish.
That led me back to education, where I started and, deep down, always knew I belonged. While it took me an extra year of college to graduate because I explored other paths, I don’t regret it. Trying on different hats was crucial to discovering what truly fit me and unlocking a career I could see myself doing for the rest of my life.
Here’s the truth: Your career should align with your interests, values, and lifestyle. Don’t focus solely on what sounds impressive or what others expect of you. Instead, ask yourself:
What brings me joy?
What kind of life do I want to live?
How can I balance my passions with my well-being?
The journey to finding your career is just that—a journey. It’s okay to explore, make mistakes, and change directions. What matters most is finding a path where you can thrive, not just survive.
So, to all the Gen Z women out there, remember: Your worth isn’t tied to a title, paycheck, or what others think. Keep trying on hats until you find one that feels just right. The road may be winding, but it’s uniquely yours to travel.
#GRLInitiative #CareerJourney #GenZWomen #FindYourPath #WomenWhoThrive
