Follow your own dream
By Adam Cahill
It is that time again. Career fairs and recruiters from all over the country are coming to Notre Dame to find the best and brightest for their respective companies. Career fairs, in my mind, are just another parental reminder that you need to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life. That nagging question that appears every Sunday morning when the family calls to check on you. Of course they want to hear the answer that most families want to hear: doctor, lawyer, attorney general.
As a freshman, these questions didn't matter as much because you were away from home and caught up in the magic found under the Dome. Sophomore year was a blur because it always is. But now you're an upperclassman and these questions have gotten old.
As I was sitting in the publishing session of the recent English Career Night, Professor Kerry Temple said something that struck me: "I talk to some of my doctor and lawyer friends who I graduated with and they hate their jobs."
Why is that? Did any of these people stop to think if they really wanted to be that doctor, lawyer or Fortune 500 businessperson? Too many of us live the life set out before us on a sliver platter. But is the silver platter really what we want?
You suddenly realize that you've spent most of your college career taking certain classes to please your parents. When does living in your parents' shadow end? The answer is, right now. Stop living the life your parents want for you and start taking some chances. Follow those dreams that leave you unable to sleep at night.
Choosing a career path aside from your parents' ideals may create some hostilities. But rest assured, you parents do love you and they will understand ... eventually. Maybe they won't understand at first or even a couple years from now, but in the end they will be proud of the individual they raised. They will be proud because you were brave enough to follow your dreams.
So, here's some advice for you younger Domers. Do not be intimidated by these career fairs. Look at them as opportunities to seek that which you've never sought before. Look at that teaching position in China or that Peace Corps position in South Africa and if you still choose to follow the family tradition of medicine, law or business, that's cool. But don't live a life without passion because it's just not worth it.
In short, follow your heart. But when you do, don't hold back. Don't be afraid to fail. Don't misunderstand me, though. You will make mistakes along the way. But support the decision you've made with hard work and conviction. And if you fail, it's OK. Only then will you know you've given life — your life — a shot. Be proud of who you are and who you've become here. And if you turn out to be a Kerry Temple, people will envy the amount of joy that radiates from a conversation with you.
Adam Cahill
junior
Sorin Hall
Sept. 25
All Viewpoint Stories for Friday, September 27, 2002
