School has been in session for about a month now, and getting back into the routine has felt different for me this semester, especially since I am graduating in December (and honestly, I am so excited!). However, with that excitement has come added responsibilities. Not only am I saving money for post-grad life, but I am also deep into the job hunt. In the past month alone, I have attended two career fairs and have been applying to jobs everywhere. Along the way, I have even met freshmen already on the hunt for spring and summer internships, as fall is prime time for applications.
This season has really tugged at my heart and mind as I navigate the ups and downs of comparison. One of my friends, who was also job hunting, recently landed his first post-grad job, making just shy of six figures. As happy as I am for him, it was tough to swallow, especially because I applied for the same position and was not even granted an interview. After years of hard work and dedication to my studies, being flat-out rejected felt disheartening.
But then I realized I needed to refocus on my career goals and what I truly want for my future, rather than getting caught up in the early success of others. I know where I am headed and I am already taking steps toward that path, so I should not be discouraged by a job that may not have been meant for me in the first place.
Recently, I was speaking with a high school student at a local church event, and I shared with her some of the uncertainty I have been feeling during this stage of life. She asked me a question that has stuck with me ever since: “How did you feel as a senior in high school, and how did things turn out?” Her question made me pause and reflect. As a senior in high school, I remember being so stressed about college decisions and unsure of what the future held. But looking back, that uncertain stage turned out to be one of the best seasons of my life.
So, whenever you or I start feeling that familiar twinge of comparison—whether in the job hunt or while looking for internships—let us remember how things have worked out better than expected in the past. And if you struggle to find examples, I encourage you to write down a list of things you have been grateful for since graduating high school. It is a powerful reminder that, even in the uncertainty, there is always hope for what is next.
