Article May 19, 2014 Issue

Graduation...then what?

Laura Clayton

I remember that last day of college so clearly. We sat in an outdoor amphitheater in our black gowns, wedged between our fellow classmates, anticipating the moment when we would fling our mortarboards into the blue. As we gazed up into the sunshine and watched the caps fly, we celebrated the infinite possibilities before us.

I also recall, however, the barrage of question marks that my friends and I faced. Will I succeed in my career? What kind of job will I be able to find? What do I even want to do? High school seniors, too, face myriad questions, whether heading to a new school experience or into a work environment.

I found that what helped settle those persistent questions was to clarify my motives. Continually! Rather than ruminating so much on the “what” or “where” aspects of the road ahead, I strove to zoom in on the “why”—whether I was choosing a major in college or negotiating the twists and turns of my first job experience. I would ask myself: “Why do I like this activity?” “Why am I here?” My responses often included these powerful infinitives: to serve, to share, to express, to bless.