Raquel Vaughn-
Some of you who are reading this are really lucky because you are First-years and still have time to figure out what you want to do with your life. As for me, I’m a Senior. I’m constantly being hassled by my parents about what I’m going to do once I have that degree. And the only thought I have when they ask is “Well, first thing’s first, I actually have to get the degree.” Sure, for some of you it may suck to be the “fresh meat” on campus, but with that comes time. As for me, I’m running out of time and it’s only October!
Many great resources on campus can guide students of all grades through their academic careers, matching them with the best career choice possible. It may be the mentoring program or someone from Career Development. Yet I can hardly decide what I want to do with my life, how are these strangers going to know better than me? Perhaps they do, and that’s the whole point.
What the heck do Gustie grads even do?
When I was a high school student, the first time I heard about Gustavus was through my two favorite teachers. Shoutout to Mr. and Mrs. Wille for introducing me to the hill! Mr. Wille, who played and coached football at Gustavus, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education Social Studies teaching. He and his wife, whom he met on campus, teach my two favorite subjects at my high school: World History and English. They left a lasting impression on my life (clearly, or else I wouldn’t be here), but I want to know how they got to where they are today. Sure, they’ve shared their stories about campus, roommates, meeting each other, and so on. But what more of their success? How do I go from here, where they used to be, to there, where they are now?
Those two had a dream, and they persevered to achieve it. I distinctly remember Mr. Wille telling my class that he struggled with his studying habits and strategies all throughout high school and a little bit in college. “I didn’t know how to study!” He would admit to us, almost in defeat. “But look where I am now,” he would say, raising his hands as if presenting himself to the class from behind his desk. A desk that was a teacher’s desk. He declared a major at Gustavus, and he went straight into teaching. My issue lies beyond that of finding a place affordable and comfortable to live. And even if that was my issue, it would still be valid because why are apartments so expensive? Even though that is on the list of things to do, I am more concerned that I’ll graduate with a degree and the confidence that I’ll, as they say, “make it”… but then never make it.
What does one do if they have so many interests they don’t know what to do? Because that’s my problem, and if you know how to tackle it, then please let me know. Another shoutout to JJ Akin, a Gustavus alum who majored in English, minored in geography, interned in the Sports Information Office, and wrote for the Gustavian Weekly all during his time here as a student (this is all on the Gustavus website, by the way). Now he serves as the Assistant to President Bergman. I spoke with him this past spring about different life paths despite being interested in everything. I was advised to chat with him, considering we have so much in common. He majored in English; I’m majoring in English. He interned in the Sports Information Office; I work in and am passionate about sports event management. He wrote for the Weekly; I write for the Weekly. He told me something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. We discussed grad school and what kind of jobs one who is double majoring and double minoring would pursue. I told him I could see myself doing a particular job, and he reminded me that that would require earning a Master’s degree. “But then, of course, you would have to choose,” he said. Look, here’s the thing: I’m incredibly indecisive. I can’t help it; it’s in my veins—I’m a Libra.
I’m an overthinker—a professional stressed-out person. If only there was a major for that, but the closest I would probably get is Environmental Studies. My point is not to take me as an example because clearly, I don’t know what I want to do. Instead, take the examples of those who give really good advice and picture yourself in their shoes. Those persons could be Mr. and Mrs. Wille (shoutout to all my Fairmont High people), JJ Akin in Administration, Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach Kelsey Letourneau, Philip Bryant in the African Studies department, or any other teacher, family friend, coach, or professor who you look up to.
Another thing JJ told me, which has been echoed by my parents and advisors, is that no matter what, I’ll “make it.” And people, if I can make it, you definitely can too.