Change brings opportunity~Nido Qubein (Adjust to Transition)

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 

The Road Not Taken

Robert Frost

Life is full of transitions.  You transition out of diapers, going from grade-to-grade in school, becoming an adult, changing jobs, discovering your social life, etc.  Think of those transitions, the good and the bad.  With each change, there was a learning experience so you realized what you liked and didn't like about certain aspects of life and your personality. The same goes for major and career exploration.  The average student changes his/her major anywhere from 3-5 times during his/her college experience. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (www.bls.gov), baby boomers held 11.7 jobs from ages 18 through 48.  That means they did not follow the previous path of their parents/grandparents and staying with one job for their entire lives.  They transitioned into jobs, sometimes within the realm of their chosen field, sometimes they tried something entirely different.  In the age of Generation X and the Millennials, it's possible this average transition has increased. As an academic and career advisor at a community college, I have met with quite a few students who are considering the transition into "encore" careers.  These are generally prospective students who are 55 years and older and have worked in one job field but want to finally delve into their "dream" career.  This is happening more and more often as these "encore" students have decided to follow their passion and dreams after years of working as a provider for their families.  In many instances, the children are all grown up and living lives of their own so the parent (now student) has decided to do something for him/herself.

There is nothing wrong with change and transition.  Life happens and sometimes it happens while you are working towards completing a degree.  The main thing to remember is there are people who can help and guide you during those "life happens" moments.  Find some strong and reliable mentors that will be there for you and lift you up when you feel like giving up.  If you feel you need to change your major to something more suitable for you, that's okay, too.  Even if you complete a degree in one area and end up working in something totally different, you have gained the knowledge and skills to complete tasks.  Critical thinking, writing, and communication skills are key to many positions in any job field.  Sometimes, the skills you've gained with completing your degree are skills that transfer into the work force.  Find a positive way to deal with transitions and adjust appropriately.  Never give up.  Always keep in mind the end goal and the endless possibilities that await you.
*This message has been brought to you by someone who took six years to complete a Bachelor's degree in Broadcasting with a minor in History, did not know what she wanted to do for the first four years of college, worked in banking, data entry, and teaching, before discovering the wonderful world of higher education and student services.  After sixteen years of searching for her "perfect fit". And now she not only works in education, she gets to write.  Which is her first love.  There is hope!*

Add the following to your major exploration journal!

            How would I rate my communication skills, both verbal and written?

            How well do I get along with individuals who are not like me in age, race,  

            culture, sex, educational level, or personality?   

            How would I rate my analytical skills, both general and mathematical?

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