Opinion: What comes next?

On Thursday, Voices will be releasing its final podcast for the semester, covering what comes next after college.

While many graduating students have gotten a job, internship, or plan to enter graduate school, others may take the opportunity to pursue their passions or travel before a 9-5 job consumes their lives.

Fortunately, there is no one path for students after their college years. A student who excels in academics may not want a job straight out of university, and someone who struggles academically may find a job right out of college and enter the workforce immediately.

Personally, I hope to graduate within four years, but college is college— anything can happen. One day you could be at the top of your game, getting A’s on every test you take, but then you could find yourself barely passing Library 160.

I experienced a similar situation and struggled early on in my college career. I used to study chemistry and quickly realized I sucked at it. While I found it interesting, it did not play well to my strengths. I swapped to journalism and never looked back. My point is that everyone travels down their own long and winding road— containing both the highest of highs and lowest of lows. At the end of the day, we will all find our passions and the things we are good at.

I was lucky enough to find what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. While college may not always lead to that conclusion, it at least helped me figure out what I did not want to do.

During our final podcast, Caden, Omar and I will be discussing the mindsets and thoughts many graduating students may have at the end of their college careers and offer encouraging words to those who don’t quite know their path after college. We are all going through similar struggles as we approach the end of our college days, so we must discuss the concerns and doubts many students may have when entering the professional world.

Since Caden and Omar are graduating this semester (I know, it’s sad), they will be able to give first-hand experience and share their thoughts about what’s coming next in their lives. I will be able to address the anxiety and uncertainty that comes with becoming a 4th-year student at any university.

Tune in Thursday to our podcast at https://www.iowastatevoices.com/podcast.