Real Life of an MSW

i’ve nearly finished my first year of college, and though it feels early, the pressures to intern and choose a field have started, from both my family and people at school. I’ve elected not to intern this summer, since I did the summer before college and want some time off, but I worry this might put me “behind” others.

Everyone has this idea of what they want me to do, but I’m not sure I could do that for the rest of my life. Nor do I have a clear idea of what I want instead, and, of course, there’s salary to consider.

How do people choose their jobs? It feels very overwhelming. –Confused

• I had an offer for a fun job after college, but my parents pressured me into grad school in a field I didn’t like, and it took me 10 years to extricate myself. You are young. Try everything!!
• I was going to teach math and get my law degree at night. Then that path blew up and I “fell” into a career designing kids’ furniture. It uses a bunch of skills I have, just not the ones I was planning to use.
• My current job has very, very little relationship to my major or internships. I wish I’d tried more in college and put less pressure on myself.
• I was a marine biology major and now work in ed tech, and my one internship had nothing to do with the work I do now. I learned grace under pressure and time management as a Starbucks barista during morning rush!
• Lots of people ask because they are trying to connect. A great answer is: “I’m weighing options. How did you choose?” This gives you breathing room, opens you up to advice and may add someone to your professional network.
• There are a jillion types of jobs people fall into but never knew existed growing up because they aren’t the “lawyer, doctor, teacher” type. A lot of it is luck and creativity.
• Graduate-level art historian here. I work as a financial analyst now, wrapping up my MBA. I LOVE my job and in college had zero inkling this is where I would be. Interests change, and the job that’s “right” for you may not have been invented yet.
• I was SO excited for a job that seemed designed just. For. Me. And sheesh, did it suck! Later took a job for its low schlep factor. Turned into a 30-plus-year career. Trial and error is more a part of finding a career than most people acknowledge.
• Volunteering is another great way to explore what you are interested in and good at.