When I Grow Up

What the hell do I want to do for the rest of my life? The question has haunted me for since it first crossed my mind during my first job search in 1999. Like a crowded pub suddenly becoming quiet and a small cricket chirping in the background, my answer has always been silence.

I truly envy those people who have always ‘known’ their path; they started wanting to be a doctor, lawyer, business owner or something since the age of six and relentlessly pursued it since then. All of their work and activities are designed to move them closer to that objective, while people like me spend lots of time staring at the water wondering about the best way to spend our time. It’s an okay activity for 22, hell even 26 isn’t too bad but now that I’m nearing 30, working on the MBA and investing a bunch of money in ‘career’ development it’s time to find a path and walk down it.

The frustrating thing is that I’ve always accomplished my goals – even long shots like acceptance at the London Business School, after a few road bumps, fell into place but one can’t accomplish what they haven’t decided. I sit here listening to the proverbial sands of time slowly decreasing. My greatest fear is becoming one of those people who had a ton of potential but never took advantage and passes away without having accomplished anything worth remembering.

The way I see it I have about a year and a half to figure out the final path and get the hell on with it after graduation. A few of the pieces are already there including my desire to leave the small island and return to the US. It’s not that I don’t like England but it’s time to go. We’ll be back for vacations, hopefully work and alumni reunions but for the next few years residency has to be back home.

Okay, so we have a country – that’s, well, a start but that’s when things become a little fuzzy. Should I go ahead and start a business? Find my way into a nice corporation? Or join the legions of consultants in an attempt to pay back the loans? Final thoughts include getting heavily involved with either a start-up or a social enterprise.

If you’re scoring at home (or even if you’re alone), that’s five different possibilities. Yes, a few could be combined but no clear path easily emerges and thus my challenge.