Post-Grad

“If I could find you now, things would get better.”

All the plans we made did not work out. All the dreams we dreamt stayed in that same state: just a dream. As kids we are asked,” What do you want to be when you grow up?” The answers usually revolve around, “Veterinarian! Astronaut! Fireman! Policeman! Teacher! Garbage man!”
For each straight and narrow (and highly sexist careers) answer there is usual a straight and narrow path, but what about those who don’t walk the direct path to a career? What about those who are still feeling things out? There are so many jobs on careerbuilder.com, craigslist.org, monster.com that I never could have imagined as even being a position title. There are positions that I had always heard (actor, CEO, director, painter, executive producer, etc.) but never realized that they don’t start out that way. CEO is not considered entry level on any ladder. Even business entrepreneur started out somewhere. S/he had to get experience with business before deciding that’s what s/he wanted to do.
So that leaves me wondering, where does my ladder start. I’ve tried to understand where all my experience has led me:

1. First job: Atlanta Bread Company as a bus-girl then “promoted” to bakery girl, then register, then deli line. I moved up quick! It only took me two years.
2. Volunteer work: Sunday school at church working with kids between the ages of 1-4 years old.
3. Second job: Longhorn Steakhouse as a server. I made mistakes but was encouraged to keep throwing myself at the mercy of my tables: “The customer is always right” because they control your paycheck.
4. Athletic experience: four brief years of high school soccer, four fun-filled years of fast-pitch softball where I made impacting relationships with the coaches and teammates, seven years of life-changing cheerleading. Cheerleading molded my view on life in the positive sense that is completely opposite to all the movies and stereotypes associated with the nasty breed. Post-high school athletics involved co-ed softball, church softball, and college cheerleading.
5. College: Communications major-> English major -> Media internship -> Journalism minor. I met amazing people that I admire greatly, but they have all dispersed to different corners of the country/world.
6. Professional experiences: PR representative for CANFF. Writer for the Toms River Patch. Personal assistant for local educator.
7. Miscellaneous experience: Boys are silly and temporary. Guys don’t know they want or don’t want what they have. Men just come in bigger packages. Good friends are invaluable. Family is a constant source of encouragement. God is my strength.

I can’t make a life out of wishes and hopes.

I need action! Action requires something to be acted upon, therefore I need to find that thing to receive the action. I am back where I started.

Thanks Fox Searchlight and Alexis Bledel for encouraging me to throw myself at my love and forget all about my dreams.