College Kids - Go for Your Dreams

My niece is off to college. It's her first time on her own and this is an exciting time for her. It's been a long time since I've been to college but there's one thing that should be at the top of the list for every college student. Go for your Dream!

Don't settle for less when you go to college. Even if it seems crazy, if it's a "tough" industry to get into, if it doesn't "pay well" or if it seems unattainable. Go for what inspires you. If you enjoy your work, you will be happy and successful.

College is the time to go for it. It is the time to give it a go. There's always time to fall back on another career but if what you really want does not pan out. College is the place to make your dreams come true so don't sell yourself short.

I know of a girl whose dream was to be a dolphin trainer. She went to Sea World and talked to a trainer, very commendable, but the trainer told her there were not many jobs available and it was hard to find a job. So she gave up on her dream and is going to nursing school. This breaks my heart.

Don't give up on your dream because one person says it's hard. Go to college. Learn your trade or industry. Give it your all and be the best. Maybe that specific job wouldn't pan out but there's other job in the field that she could have done that would be a lot more exciting and rewarding for her than completely abandoning her dream before trying.

Get an intern position in your field. Definitely a summer internship but see if you can even intern during the school year. Having a long-term intern position not only looks good on your resume but also gives you a leg up for a paying position. Even if you don't start out with your dream job, if you are in the industry, you can work your way there or do something comparable.

This girl has an aquarium less then an hour away from her home. She could have interned there to see if she really would enjoy it as well as learn the other opportunities in the industry while at the same time having the chance to make a good impression which could lead to a paying position and at the least ask for a letter of recommendation to help her chances of landing a job somewhere else.

Then there's my niece. I learned that she is devastated because she wanted to go to college to become a vet but she missed a pre-requirement in high school so she's giving up on her dream.

I say do what you have to do to get what you want. Talk to the guidance counselor and find out how you can work it out. Take the class in summer school at a community college.  Don't take no for an answer.

Scared of classes that are challenging is also no excuse, that's what college is for, to challenge yourself, gain discipline and conquer your fears. Life is full of challenges. Learning how to tackle these challenges is what makes you stronger. Don't give up before you try. When you succeed it will make it that much more sweet.

College is the time to become anybody you want to be. I think everybody knows what they are passionate about. Some are just afraid to try it or think it's too difficult or too unattainable. In this economy any job in any field is tough. So you might as well go for the one that you dream of.

Believe in yourself. If you don't, nobody else will. College is setting you up for the rest of your life. Your Life. Make it the best it can be. Do what makes you happy. Don't let anyone or anything squash your dream before you give it try. GO FOR IT.

Cheers and Good Luck.

Jan