One year ago today, I had a stack of brochures on my desk about work-abroad programs.
According to these pamphlets, I could find a job as a waitress or bartender in London and make just enough money to live among the locals. Or, I could work at Euro Disney near Paris for a few months and practice my French with little children while dressed up as Belle from “Beauty and the Beast.” Yes, I knew for a fact that after graduating early in March 2005, I would spend time overseas before entering the real world in the United States.
Then I changed my mind. Why waste so much time doing the same kind of job a high school graduate could get, when I could get a head start on my career? So I made a decision — I was going to work in magazine land in the Big Apple. I’d get in touch with my family on Staten Island for a place to stay, then hop on the ferry and the subway every morning for the buildings of Hearst and Condé Nast publishing companies, and at the same time search for an apartment for less than $1,500 a month that isn’t in Hell’s Kitchen.
A cross-country move seemed exciting but … overwhelming. For a brief time last summer, I had a new city on my mind: San Francisco. Hey, it’s not New York, but it’s big enough. I could drive there and Sunset magazine is close by! It would do.
During this school year, I juggled thoughts of New York, San Francisco and a new addition, Los Angeles, in my head. As graduation time drew closer, I began to wish I hadn’t sworn in stone that whichever plan was in my mind at the time HAD to happen because having an all-or-nothing attitude would likely lead to disappointment. Especially when the “all” part keeps changing.
After spring break, the one thing I do know I’ll be doing is spending every spare minute I have on my resumé, cover letters, clips, craigslist.org, mediabistro.com and the telephone. I could end up anywhere, and somehow, that feels more comforting than a specific plan. Of course, I do have a No. 1 desired destination, Southern California, and a No. 1 non-desired destination, Oregon. But because I’m not set on one spot now, I know I won’t be judging my happiness on whether I can see a tall skyscraper, a palm tree, the ocean or a fir tree from my window. (Except maybe I’d be upset if I could see rolling plains, because the Midwest is pretty much out.)
So for all of you who were fans of my Ask Nat column two years ago (did you ever take any of the advice? I sure didn’t), here is my last suggestion: Dream big, work hard to achieve those dreams, but have an open mind. Graduation is scary if you don’t have anything lined up yet, but focus on taking baby steps. And don’t lose those college feelings of carefree joy while on your journey, wherever it may take you.

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