20something profile: Kayla
This post was written by Kayla, a college student with an interest in the nonprofit field:
I entered college an excited and nervous 18-year-old dance major on the path to become a physical therapist and one day open my own dance studio. I was beyond excited to start the journey towards the “real world.” Little did I know that my life was about to do a complete 180. Ankle surgery, an internship in D.C., and four majors later, I am now a government major interested in working in the nonprofit field.
This is something I would have never imagined for myself as I entered college, but now, only two years later, it seems like the right fit for me. After deciding to switch out of the dance program, I struggled to figure out my next move. As someone who plans everything, this was a huge shock to the system. Not only did I change majors, but I also realized that I had no interest in being a physical therapist. So unfortunately for me, the perfect little plan I had been working on for the past four years was all falling apart.
As I was having a minor freak out over my life plans, I was simultaneously becoming more involved in Texas Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. It was not until they sent me to intern at their international headquarters that I noticed how much I was enjoying being a part of Jewish Communal Service work. I realized that it was completely normal for me to change my path while in college and that by paying attention to the things I naturally enjoyed, I was able to find an entirely new career path that I had never even considered.
With two years of college left, I would be mistaken if I thought my journey would end here, as I have seen what a few unexpected bumps along the road can do. Therefore, although I am currently working towards finding a position in the Jewish community after graduation, I am continuing to keep my eyes open to all the opportunities around me.
While still in college, I am working on my own blog Young Professional: Living the College Life. This is an effort to sort through all the advice out there geared towards young professionals through the eyes of a college student. I know that there is a tough job market ahead of me, and my talent alone will not necessarily get me where I want to go. I truly believe that the actions we make today affect who we will be tomorrow, so I am doing my best to thoroughly prepare myself for the “real world” while still in college.
Posted on August 26, 2013, in 20something profile and tagged advice, careers, college, employment, internships, millennials, nonprofit, twenties. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
I love your series. I love that we set out to do one thing in college but become something totally different.