Article
The Importance of Being Flexible in Making Life Choices
Reflections by a college student who is deafblind on the importance of flexibility when making life plans
A popular quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson says, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” The meaning of the statement is not to go on the easy path, but go where it is challenging and leave a mark. I have learned from my experience that I wish to leave a mark and make a contribution, although it took me some time to figure out the best way to do this.
My plan was originally to major in history. As a child I enjoyed history and it was my plan to study history my whole life, no question. When I entered my senior year of high school I did research on career options as a history major. I have found the careers for history majors are selective, competitive, and limited in scope. Also, I have found the majority of job positions require an advanced degree in history, with either a master’s degree or a Ph.D. I had a bit of a meltdown in this shift in not choosing history as my major during my research. The shift in attitude was a bother to me because I never experienced something so stressful before. I did learn that at my age of 19 I do not need to make a set decision on my life.
However, currently I have a new plan, and I’m sticking to it for the meantime. In my first semester at college I enrolled in Principles of Sociology, which I loved. The definition of sociology is the study of human behaviors with an emphasis on patterns. The heart of sociology is culture and how it defines so much of human behavior. There is often a lack of awareness of this connection and the fact that culture can be applied to all of mankind’s activities. A culture is all the symbols, attitudes, and behaviors that are acquired through human interactions.
My plan now is to complete my undergraduate study in sociology and continue with a master’s in Vocational Rehabilitation services. The plan that I have is to assist others in need with a counseling background. When I have both my majors in sociology and vocational rehab, hopefully it can lead to many career possibilities. I can go into group therapy, work for state institutions, or work with people that have physical and mental disabilities to have success in life. My dream career is to be an OVR (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation) counselor with a state agency with people that have any type of disability. I want to work hard to provide the needed services to those adults to feel included in all aspects of society and have fulfilling lives.
Now, history will always remain a pastime and the study of history is almost involved in every subject like in sociology. I feel that a plan is a map that will put us all on a path, taking all of us on an adventure and cannot always have a rigid frame must be bendable. I have learned that it is important to be flexible with life plans and decisions, while also sticking to the path we choose. If we do that we can make our mark, while making a contribution to society.
By Hunter McGowan
