The Future

Caitlin H.

December 18, 2009 - 2:49 PM

The future. What an intimidating pair of words. "Future." Say it enough times and it starts to sound funny.

Future. I'm home for the holidays and I'm certain there is one question everyone will be asking, "What are your plans for the future?" Away at college I feel like there is a cocoon of safety where I'm allowed the freedom to ponder such difficult questions at my leisure. The rest of my life is certainly something to think about, but when I need to stop panicking and just keep exploring, I can. Not at home. Not on holiday. The attack has already started.

Grandparents, parents, parents of friends, friends, friends of siblings, siblings, siblings of parents...all of them. They all want to know: "What am I going to after graduation?" The next thing I know they'll be asking me what I want for lunch October 7, 2012 and I still don't have a clue! Am I supposed to know if I will still like ham on wheat bread with a bit of lettuce? Maybe I'll want to try something else. Maybe I'll feel the same way about my job choices.

Perhaps the hardest part about the holidays are coming home and facing everyone asking you this intense question, and there is no escape. You can't just ignore that line of questioning in an email or casually neglect to write back about that part of a letter. These people are looking you in the eye with a clear expression that says, "I want to know you're going to make something of yourself and your education." And you have no choice but to stare at them back and say..."Well, I think I might like to..." even though all you have known your whole life was an educational system where you signed up for classes, went to school, occasionally had a holiday until it was time to go back to school again. We're supposed to want to leave that and get a ‘real' job?

I have been working on my post graduation plans, but I still have many unanswered questions. I've applied to three Master's programs. I'm considering a few others. I've even taken the GRE - twice. I've considered plenty of options. I've considered alternatives. What if I don't get into a Master's program? Where would I like to live? Where would I try to find job? Do I move back home? Could I find a job there?

The Future. That's scary stuff.

My prepared response for this winter holiday:

I'm really hoping to be accepted into one of three Master's programs, and I'll have to make some decisions after I know my admissions status.

That is inevitably followed by questions about the programs I'm applying to. I have some information prepared for that too.

The University of Oregon Master's in Community and Regional Planning

Michigan State University Masters in Urban and Regional Planning

UCLA Masters in Urban Planning

And that's generally enough to satisfy concerned parties, and enough to satisfy myself. The real secret is I'm slowly receiving emails from other universities inviting me to apply for graduate programs, and a program Columbia University has caught my interest. I'm exploring other options as well. If graduate school doesn't pan out, I am hoping to find a job in one of Oregon's larger cities. If that doesn't work out, maybe an internship or other employment, even internationally, would be desirable.

The future. Do any of us really have it all figured out until after it happens? Do we talk about it idly hoping someone will say something that will sound good enough for us as well? A University of Oregon education opened up doors of possibility. Lots of doors. And maybe in a few months I'll know if I've been accepted to any graduate programs and which is the best fit for me. Or I'll have found another job opportunity to pursue. Until then I'll continue to face that question:

"What are your plans for the future?"