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[zinniazayda]

I've been thinking lately about commitment. On the one hand, I have no problem committing to a relationship (with the right person, of course). I've known many women my age to be scared by the thought of getting into a really serious relationship at this point in their lives because they feel it would limit their freedom. I've always thought

Comments

[sek8586]

I know all our thoughts about our futures remain completely in parallel, so I won't even bother saying I've gone through the exact same thought process. :) Just to add, though, my sister -is- doing the academia thing right now, and although she really likes it, I read her blog and the kinds of things she's concerned with are not the kinds of things I want to be concerned with... if it helps put the final nail in the academia coffin, her blog is kermitthefroghere . blogspot . com

But yeah - sometimes I have trouble with the idea that I'm so good at school, and intellectualism is placed on such a pedestal, so even if I'm good at something else (some other career path), would it ever be as "worthy" (or something) as an academic life? ... then I think about how aggravating intellectualism can be (as an ism).

[lucyrachel]

I can relate to this a lot. Even just in six months at my job, I have felt trapped by it because the company tries hard to convince people to make it their career. I don't want that. I don't want 10 vacation days a year (okay, it's 15 after the first two years) and to spend the bulk of my life at a desk, on someone else's schedule. I want the freedom to pursue things as they interest me. I do like the idea of being really knowledgeable about something, and I know that requires commitment. But if I do that, I want it to be on my own terms.

I bet this is a common situation for Carls to find themselves in, exactly because of what you said about Carleton. I think it attracts people like us.

[rescdsk]

These are really interesting thoughts, congratulations on your self-knowledge!

[mewmewmewmewmew]

Hahaha... I love this comment!

[idealforcolors]

I know how you feel. I still, sometimes, think about getting a PhD (as opposed to a Master's, which I will definitely do, followed by a nonacademic career path), but I'm too interested in interests *outside* academia for the present. I miss school, I find schoolwork more rewarding sometimes than entry-level job work (but also, perhaps it's the wrong field of entry-level job work...), I miss the social environment, but exploring is really important too. So yeah. Don't commit to a career. Why should you find an answer to "what are you going to do with THAT major?" so soon?!

[sandokai]

Fortunately committing to a career and to a person are not really the same thing. The career won't get hurt if, later, you change your mind.