“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
I’ve given many answers, but the most consistent one is “I don’t know.” I’m constantly growing up, and the career I chose in high school isn’t necessarily the career I want today.
This morning, I wanted to make spaghetti for dinner, but at dinner time, I made a stir-fry.
With our fast-paced lives as students, we are constantly worried about getting good grades, getting into a competitive specialization when ITRs open, getting a fancy summer internship to buff up our resumes, etc. We scroll through LinkedIn, measuring our progress against our peers, wondering if we're falling behind on the ambitious goals we once set.
Truth is, university is different from high school, and you’re different from your high school self.
In grade 10, I was convinced I wanted to be a lawyer. I was excited to sign up for the Non-Profit Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program and drop all science courses. As I explored other interests, I ended up switching to the Health & Wellness SHSM program, and went back to my guidance counselor to add the science courses. I’m currently in my second year of medical sciences, hoping to leave my doors open in the broad field of science.
Through one door, I could join the race to medical school, but I’m more passionate about helping animals, so the other door leads me to veterinary medicine. Although that is where I’m currently aiming, I still think about other career paths every day. Maybe I’ll end up in research—or even in a kitchen, blending science and creativity through stir-fry and pasta.
Take Arnold Schwarzenegger, who began his bodybuilding career and held the “Mr. Olympia” title seven times. After retiring from bodybuilding, he became a Hollywood action star, and later on was elected Governor of California.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is sworn in as the 38th governor of California in Sacramento, California. Nov. 17, 2003. Getty Images/Justin Sullivan
Look at Danny DeVito–before becoming a beloved actor, he worked as a hairdresser… for the dead.
Ask your parents or guardians—did they end up where they thought they would as teenagers?
It’s hard to figure out what you like in high school or in the first year of university when courses only touch the surface of a field of study. Enjoying first year biology doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy second year cell biology.
Don’t be afraid to change courses, shift specializations, or even switch degrees. Just like a recipe, your path isn’t always linear—it’s a process of trial and error.
It’s okay if you don’t have everything figured out—when, where, and how you’ll get there will come in time.
Take things one step at a time. It’s not a big deal if you end up making a stir-fry for dinner and have already bought the ingredients for pasta.
The important thing is that you’re still making dinner—and it’s okay if the recipe changes along the way.