Lately, I’ve been feeling stuck in a rut, unsure of what direction to take in life. It’s like I’m wandering aimlessly, without a clear path forward. But you know what’s funny? Midway through writing this story, I took a break to do some serious self-reflecting, and suddenly, everything became crystal clear. I know what I want to do with my life now, and I can’t wait to share it with you.
College Struggles
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: college. I’m currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, but to be completely honest, it’s not something I’m particularly interested in. The only reason I ended up in this field is because my dad is a software engineer, and from a young age, computer science was portrayed as the “path to a bright future.”
But here’s the kicker: I’m doing horribly in college, and the thought of potentially wasting $160,000 on a degree I don’t even want is constantly weighing me down. It’s like a dark cloud looming over my head, making it almost impossible to study calmly.
Financial Burden
Speaking of the financial burden, let’s talk about the skyrocketing costs of college education. Back in the day, people used to say, “College is an investment in your future.” And for previous generations like the millennials, that might have been true. But nowadays? College costs have gone up by a whopping 170% since 1980, while job salaries have pretty much remained stagnant.
Just take a look at this visual from CNBC:
Students today are paying almost twice as much for the same salary, which doesn’t exactly scream “investment” to me. Now, I’m not bashing college or saying it’s a waste – I understand how important it is to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to step into the workforce. But I can’t help but wonder if paying $160,000 for horrible professors, outdated information, and time-consuming (sometimes meaningless) assignments is really worth it, especially when I could potentially get a better education through online resources for a fraction of the cost.
College as an Investment?
This whole situation has got me thinking: what if, instead of investing $160,000 and four years of my life into a college degree that doesn’t even guarantee me a job, I invested a fraction of that tuition into a professional mentor? Someone who has already walked the path I’m trying to take, someone who has actual experience in the field I’m looking to join, someone who knows the ins and outs better than anyone else.
Wouldn’t that be a much better (and cheaper) investment?
I’m still in the process of researching this alternative option, but if you have any thoughts or experiences to share, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below.
Finding Purpose
Amidst all this uncertainty and confusion, a close friend of mine asked me a question that really got me thinking: “What would you do after making your dream salary?”
At first, I didn’t know how to respond. Like most people, I’ve been conditioned to believe that I need to achieve financial stability before pursuing my passions and dreams. But then my friend dropped a bombshell on me. He said, “Your answer is what you should be doing.”
Those words hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized that I had been following what’s known as the “deferred life plan” – constantly putting off doing what I truly love until I reach some arbitrary milestone, like making a certain amount of money.
But as my friend so poignantly pointed out, “Life is meant for living. Don’t waste it by waiting for the right time. It’ll be over sooner than you think.”
That’s when everything clicked into place.
Conclusion: Finding Purpose in Helping Others
You know what I would do after making my dream salary? I would be creating content, just like I’m doing right now. Because I’ve come to realize that nothing is more fulfilling than genuinely helping others and providing advice that significantly improves their lives.
I’m not 100% sure how I’ll go about this yet, but I’ve already taken the first step by creating a YouTube channel where I plan to post short-form videos, similar to the tweets I share on Twitter. It’s a place where I can share my personal stories, experiences, and insights – all with the aim of helping others on their journey of personal growth and self-discovery.
So, if you’re feeling lost or unsure about your path in life, know that you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I’m still figuring things out as I go. But I’ve come to learn that the most important thing is to pursue what truly brings you joy and fulfillment, even if it means deviating from the well-trodden path.
