3 months remaining... Plan upon return to the US? Wait, do I even need one?

"We must overcome the notion that we must be regular. It robs you of the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre." - Uta Hagen

"...[I]n reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences..." Christopher McCandless, John Krakauer





I'm very fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family that have always supported my decisions and encouraged me to pursue my interests and dreams. I graduated from college at the age of 21, considered young in our society, yet felt confronted with the decision of what to do with my future. But, society gives out the mixed message saying, "you're barely old enough to be responsible with alcohol, but old enough to support yourself, choose a career path, and get a job in the real world." I wasn't ready to determine my career for the rest of my life and I found this completely normal. 21 is too young to be not only deciding, but beginning 'the rest of your life'.

Until recently, I hadn't come across anyone who questioned why I didn't have a plan yet. Maybe some have thought to themselves I lack direction, but certainly no one expressed these thoughts to me.

Not long ago, I was talking with an acquaintance here, discussing the typical questions: What are you doing in France? Why did you decide to take this teaching position, do you want to be an educator in the US? My usual response is something like, "A professor exposed me to the teaching program. I found it interesting and thought it would be a great opportunity to try out teaching, so I applied. I was unsure of what career path I might take after graduation and thought it would be both a time to enjoy myself, traveling, living abroad, working with kids, putting my French to good use, and a time to reflect on what I want to accomplish next in life." When asked the follow up question, Well, Jenna, what is your plan for when you go back to the US? I usually reply, "I'm still not sure. I'm going to get a job and save up some money until I decide. I'm definitely interested in teaching and I'm considering continuing my studies in history, eventually."

This acquaintance was the first person to actually express not only surprise, but also somewhat of an attitude of disapproval. What do you mean, you aren't sure? You're 22 years old, isn't that a bit old to not have an idea, a plan for your future? 


Before entering high school in France, students must decide a concentration for study such as science, math, liberal arts, economics, or go to a technical high school. For us, this seems considerably early to be making such a decision. In the US we don't have to decide an area of study until university, and even then some students enter as undeclared majors while others change their mind up to two or three times. It's normal for us to change our minds. Of course, there are some students who pick an area of study, stick with it, get a job in their field upon graduation, and are content with their field of work throughout their career. But is that really the norm? I would argue that it's only a small minority of people who are 100% sure of their career path and follow it through from college graduation to retirement. I've read a statistic that states between the ages of 18 and 38 you can expect to change jobs on average up to 10 times. Another statistic says that the average person will change careers approximately 5-7 times throughout their working life.

So... so what if I don't have a precise plan? I know what interests me. I'm learning that the more time I spend teaching, the more I can see myself doing it for years to come, solidifying some previous thoughts I'd had about it. I've got an education to get a job and support myself until I decide exactly what I want. Wait, I do have a job. It's not long-term, and it's not about making loads of money, but it is a job. It's just not a job in the traditional sense.

I was raised to believe in myself and to believe in choosing a profession doing something I love, something I'm passionate about. I have that option, so why not make the most of it? I'm only going to live once, so why not make sure I enjoy as much of it as I can? We will spend so much of our lives working. Because I'm not pressed to make a decision, I'm determined to find a job doing something I like, something I'm good at, something that challenges me to be better, and something that I feel positively impacts those around me. (Granted I might have to work some un-inspiring jobs in order to save up money, but only temporarily.) I'm still young, independent, and responsible only for myself, which at present gives me the freedom to try different things and follow my passions.

There will always be the opportunity to make big commitments, but there won't always be the opportunity to feel free, to live abroad, experience so many new things at once, or meet new people from around the world who inspire me. These are the things that will have helped me develop my unique perspective on life and grow as an individual. I'm positive they will help me to choose a path when I feel confident I've found something worth pursuing. And if I choose one path that doesn't work out, there will be the opportunity to encounter a crossing path, to re-trace my steps until I find another way, or to step off the path and make my own.