Turning 22 often feels like the expected launching point into the “real world” with a job neatly secured post-college. Yet, as I blew out the candles, my reality looked distinctly different. There wasn’t a corporate email address waiting, no orientation schedule tucked beside my diploma. Instead, there was a profound sense of open space, a year stretching ahead that I intend to mold and define myself. The subtle and not-so-subtle cues that whisper about career trajectories and immediate employment don’t exist, at least I don’t want it to. However, it does, and at times, it can put a damper on my hopeful outlook.
This year I intended to deliberately act by choosing my own adventure, a conscious decision to prioritize the foundational work of “creating my own life” before slotting myself into a predefined role. Having navigated the financial realities of funding my college education independently has only strengthened this resolve. Every tuition payment, every late-night study session fueled by the knowledge that this was my investment, has cultivated a deep sense of ownership over my future. This journey is not about checking boxes or adhering to a prescribed path, it is about building a foundation for a life I truly wanted.
The absence of a lined-up job brings with it a fascinating duality: the exhilarating freedom of uncharted territory alongside the undeniable feeling of uncertainty. There’s a space to breathe, to explore interests that might have been overshadowed by the demands of academic life, stress, and the pressure to have something lined up. This year holds the potential for genuine self-discovery, an opportunity to delve into passions and values without the immediate constraints of a professional identity. What truly resonates with me beyond a job title? What kind of impact do I want to make in the world, even if it’s not within the confines of a traditional career path right now? These are the questions I intend to explore.
This isn’t about aimless wandering, it’s about intentionality. It’s about consciously pushing back against the societal timeline that often dictates our early twenties should be solely focused on career establishment. For me, this year is about laying the groundwork for a fulfilling life, which encompasses more than just professional success. It’s about personal growth, exploring creative outlets, strengthening relationships, and understanding the kind of environment I truly thrive in. Perhaps this path looks different, perhaps it takes longer to manifest in traditional terms, but I believe it will ultimately lead to a more authentic and meaningful existence.
There will be moments of doubt, thoughts of “what are you even doing” echoing in my mind that will probably be fueled by the achievements of peers who have seamlessly transitioned into employment. But this year is also about building resilience, about trusting my own instincts and the validity of my chosen path. It’s about redefining success on my own terms, measuring it not by a starting salary but by the richness of experience, the depth of self-understanding, and the intentionality with which I am building my future. This isn’t falling, it’s choosing to build, brick by individual brick, a life that feels authentically mine. I cannot wait to reclaim my own life, journey, and purpose in my 22nd year on this earth.
ShoutOut! James Madison University 