7 answers
Shaina
Student
Bacolod, Western Visayas, Philippines
49
Questions
Asked
923 views
I am lost. How to find alignment with what you want?
I have goals and dreams before graduation, and I should have a job offer. Here I am two weeks before graduation, in a rut. I have my ultimate dream internship. However, my experience was cut short since I moved to a remote setup. My goal for 4 years was to land an internship outside my province. I did it. And so what now? I feel hopeless. I am having trouble asking myself what I really want to do + time constraint...
I want to do an MBA, but it seems impossible at the moment. I want to do a lot of things but still stuck of what feels true to me at the moment.
7 answers
Martha D. Kramer
Corporate Training and Communications
80
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Martha D.’s Answer
Hi, Shaina, and congratulations on completing your undergraduate degree! It can be unsettling to leave college without a firm plan, but you will get through this. A few thoughts:
- If you are having trouble identifying next steps, it may mean you need time to rest and regroup. It is a lot to pack up your life and say good-bye to friends. If possible, take a few weeks at home. I bet you will be able to think more clearly afterwards.
- As an alumna, you should be able to use the career advisory services at your college. They should also be able to connect you to alumni in potential fields.
- In a related way, ask people who know you well -- such as family members, former teachers, or former employers -- what they see you doing. You don't have to take any of the advice but any patterns may be helpful.
- Did you have time to establish relationships at your internship? If so, seek advice from the people you worked with. If not, see if you could connect through LinkedIn and build relationships.
- Break down your big question into smaller ones. For example, don't feel you have to decide on an MBA now. Instead, focus on getting experience in business. You will either like it or not, and both will help you decide whether an MBA is right for you. Notice what types of businesses interest you and ask yourself why. Notice what type of work you enjoy and ask yourself why.
I hope this helps and wish you good luck!
- If you are having trouble identifying next steps, it may mean you need time to rest and regroup. It is a lot to pack up your life and say good-bye to friends. If possible, take a few weeks at home. I bet you will be able to think more clearly afterwards.
- As an alumna, you should be able to use the career advisory services at your college. They should also be able to connect you to alumni in potential fields.
- In a related way, ask people who know you well -- such as family members, former teachers, or former employers -- what they see you doing. You don't have to take any of the advice but any patterns may be helpful.
- Did you have time to establish relationships at your internship? If so, seek advice from the people you worked with. If not, see if you could connect through LinkedIn and build relationships.
- Break down your big question into smaller ones. For example, don't feel you have to decide on an MBA now. Instead, focus on getting experience in business. You will either like it or not, and both will help you decide whether an MBA is right for you. Notice what types of businesses interest you and ask yourself why. Notice what type of work you enjoy and ask yourself why.
I hope this helps and wish you good luck!
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1376
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Shaina,
I think part of what feels unsettling is that you spent years chasing a very specific goal, and now that you achieved it, there’s suddenly no clear “next checkpoint” telling you who you are or where to go. That can feel strangely empty, especially after operating in survival mode for so long.
What you’re describing does not sound like failure to me. It sounds more like transition fatigue and uncertainty after a major milestone. Sometimes we assume reaching the goal will automatically create clarity, but often it just creates space, and space can feel uncomfortable when you’re used to constantly striving.
Right now, I would avoid putting pressure on you to discover one perfect answer immediately. You do not need to solve your entire life in the two weeks before graduation. Instead, try separating long-term dreams from immediate next steps. An MBA may still happen later, but it does not have to be decided right now for your future to move forward.
It will also help to ask yourself different questions. Instead of “What should I do with my life?”, try questions like:
- What kind of work makes me feel engaged instead of drained?
- What environments bring out the best version of me?
- What problems do I naturally enjoy solving?
- What lifestyle do I actually want outside of work?
Alignment is usually built through experience, reflection, and adjustment, not through one sudden realization.
You also mentioned that your internship changed unexpectedly because of the remote setup. That matters more than you may realize. Sometimes we grieve the version of an experience we thought we would have, especially after working so hard for it. That disappointment can make everything else feel blurry for a while.
My advice right now is to focus less on finding your “forever path” and more on rebuilding momentum. Finish graduation strong, apply for opportunities that genuinely interest you, keep learning, and allow yourself room to evolve. People often discover alignment while moving forward, not while waiting to feel completely certain first. You are not behind, Shaina. You are at one of those uncomfortable in-between stages where the old goal is complete, but the next identity has not fully formed yet. That stage feels confusing, but it is also where a lot of real growth starts.
Best wishes!
I think part of what feels unsettling is that you spent years chasing a very specific goal, and now that you achieved it, there’s suddenly no clear “next checkpoint” telling you who you are or where to go. That can feel strangely empty, especially after operating in survival mode for so long.
What you’re describing does not sound like failure to me. It sounds more like transition fatigue and uncertainty after a major milestone. Sometimes we assume reaching the goal will automatically create clarity, but often it just creates space, and space can feel uncomfortable when you’re used to constantly striving.
Right now, I would avoid putting pressure on you to discover one perfect answer immediately. You do not need to solve your entire life in the two weeks before graduation. Instead, try separating long-term dreams from immediate next steps. An MBA may still happen later, but it does not have to be decided right now for your future to move forward.
It will also help to ask yourself different questions. Instead of “What should I do with my life?”, try questions like:
- What kind of work makes me feel engaged instead of drained?
- What environments bring out the best version of me?
- What problems do I naturally enjoy solving?
- What lifestyle do I actually want outside of work?
Alignment is usually built through experience, reflection, and adjustment, not through one sudden realization.
You also mentioned that your internship changed unexpectedly because of the remote setup. That matters more than you may realize. Sometimes we grieve the version of an experience we thought we would have, especially after working so hard for it. That disappointment can make everything else feel blurry for a while.
My advice right now is to focus less on finding your “forever path” and more on rebuilding momentum. Finish graduation strong, apply for opportunities that genuinely interest you, keep learning, and allow yourself room to evolve. People often discover alignment while moving forward, not while waiting to feel completely certain first. You are not behind, Shaina. You are at one of those uncomfortable in-between stages where the old goal is complete, but the next identity has not fully formed yet. That stage feels confusing, but it is also where a lot of real growth starts.
Best wishes!
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1860
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Shaina,
You are not making a life commitment - you are finding a first professional position. It's a stepping stone to the next, which is a stepping stone to the next, and so on. Just always do your best, and be honest. Going out into the world is scary. If that is why you want the MBA - as a means of procrastination, it's the wrong reason. Figure out your professional path first, then go after an advanced degree. Your employer may even help to pay for it!
Education is not a substitute for experience. So, give yourself a much-deserved break, then go jump in with both feet! You don't know what you like until you try it.
You've got this!
Best of luck!
Kim
You are not making a life commitment - you are finding a first professional position. It's a stepping stone to the next, which is a stepping stone to the next, and so on. Just always do your best, and be honest. Going out into the world is scary. If that is why you want the MBA - as a means of procrastination, it's the wrong reason. Figure out your professional path first, then go after an advanced degree. Your employer may even help to pay for it!
Education is not a substitute for experience. So, give yourself a much-deserved break, then go jump in with both feet! You don't know what you like until you try it.
You've got this!
Best of luck!
Kim
Henry Gildersleeve
Lead Systems Engineer
5
Answers
Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
Updated
Henry’s Answer
Hi Shaina.
Something to keep in mind while you are deciding how to proceed. What kind of lifestyle do you want? Location, home/apartment/tiny-house etc., luxuries, travel, etc. The list can be as short or as extensive as you need.
Once you have some decisions, how much will it cost for that lifestyle?
Now ask, does what I am looking to do meet the financial requirements of the lifestyle I want?
At this point you are either good to proceed, need to adjust your desired lifestyle, need to adjust your career to meet the financial requirements, etc.
Hope this helps.
Henry
Something to keep in mind while you are deciding how to proceed. What kind of lifestyle do you want? Location, home/apartment/tiny-house etc., luxuries, travel, etc. The list can be as short or as extensive as you need.
Once you have some decisions, how much will it cost for that lifestyle?
Now ask, does what I am looking to do meet the financial requirements of the lifestyle I want?
At this point you are either good to proceed, need to adjust your desired lifestyle, need to adjust your career to meet the financial requirements, etc.
Hope this helps.
Henry
Mario Ramirez
Sr. Leader, Customer Delivery
54
Answers
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Mario’s Answer
Hi Shaina,
Thanks for bringing up your concern—it's totally normal to feel this way when you're about to close a big milestone in your life.
I suggest you set some short, medium, and long-term goals. This will help you figure out what to prioritize. With that in mind, you'll get a clear view of what you need to achieve for those goals. Just remember to keep important factors in mind, like finances, time, and what you want vs what you need.
Once you have a clear picture, start from there and always make progress on your tasks. Even if it's just planning or tackling some easy stuff, keep things moving forward. And if you stumble, that's totally fine! Take a moment to assess where you're at, see what needs redefining, and go for it. Just keep those legs moving!
And enjoy the ride of your life...
Thanks for bringing up your concern—it's totally normal to feel this way when you're about to close a big milestone in your life.
I suggest you set some short, medium, and long-term goals. This will help you figure out what to prioritize. With that in mind, you'll get a clear view of what you need to achieve for those goals. Just remember to keep important factors in mind, like finances, time, and what you want vs what you need.
Once you have a clear picture, start from there and always make progress on your tasks. Even if it's just planning or tackling some easy stuff, keep things moving forward. And if you stumble, that's totally fine! Take a moment to assess where you're at, see what needs redefining, and go for it. Just keep those legs moving!
And enjoy the ride of your life...
Dr. Jack Saxonhouse
Dental Practice Transition Consultant
11
Answers
Rockville, Maryland
Updated
Dr. Jack’s Answer
Go with your gut. You can always take courses at night to obtain your MBA.
Get yourself financially secure first.
Get yourself financially secure first.
Cristian-Matei Stamate
Team Leader Technical Support
1
Answer
Bucharest, Romania
Updated
Cristian-Matei’s Answer
Hey Shaina,
First off, congrats on putting things out there and realising your current situation! That is the first step towards achieving your goals. It's totally normal to feel this way and i am sure everyone felt the same at least once (if not multiple times) in their life.
Whenever I am stuck in deciding what I want, I always take a walk to clear my mind out. After that, i keep close a pen and paper and start listing my thoughts. This helps out with clearly seeing what your mind is trying to process all at once.
Once you get that paper written, you can start categorising things into: lifetime goals, needs, wants, personal preferences etc.
This will offer you an eagle's eye on what is currently going on inside your mind and allow you to prioritise accordingly.
An important thing to note, is that life is not always about achieving the next goal, but rejoicing about the one you already achieved and enjoying the path towards the next one. It shouldn't be about crossing things off a list, but about learning things along the way.
Dig deep, spend time with yourself and experiment different things to see where your brain and heart feel in sync when doing something. That is usually what will decide the next step to take.
During your lifetime, you'll find yourself in this spot a few times, and that's ok, it should be like that and it's best to think of it as an opportunity to learn something new about yourself and the world.
Hopefully this helps you in your situation and remember one thing: Keep being curious, you never know what you'll find out there and it's exciting!
First off, congrats on putting things out there and realising your current situation! That is the first step towards achieving your goals. It's totally normal to feel this way and i am sure everyone felt the same at least once (if not multiple times) in their life.
Whenever I am stuck in deciding what I want, I always take a walk to clear my mind out. After that, i keep close a pen and paper and start listing my thoughts. This helps out with clearly seeing what your mind is trying to process all at once.
Once you get that paper written, you can start categorising things into: lifetime goals, needs, wants, personal preferences etc.
This will offer you an eagle's eye on what is currently going on inside your mind and allow you to prioritise accordingly.
An important thing to note, is that life is not always about achieving the next goal, but rejoicing about the one you already achieved and enjoying the path towards the next one. It shouldn't be about crossing things off a list, but about learning things along the way.
Dig deep, spend time with yourself and experiment different things to see where your brain and heart feel in sync when doing something. That is usually what will decide the next step to take.
During your lifetime, you'll find yourself in this spot a few times, and that's ok, it should be like that and it's best to think of it as an opportunity to learn something new about yourself and the world.
Hopefully this helps you in your situation and remember one thing: Keep being curious, you never know what you'll find out there and it's exciting!
Delete Comment
Flag Comment