Many Dartmouth students have figured out what they want to do with their lives. Many haven't. Either way, you shouldn't limit yourself to only one particular life goal. There are all sorts of paths you could take, and it's only right that you should at least entertain all of them before choosing one or at least come up with a reason to avoid certain aspirations. Here are a few possibilities.
Becoming a teacher
Why you should have this goal: Many Dartmouth students join Teach for America after they graduate, but why not make it a career? You can inspire in young people a love of learning and a desire to change the world for the better. You'll spend a lifetime working with children and adolescents in their formative years.Why you don't have this goal: You'll spend a lifetime working with children and adolescents in their formative years.
Going into academia
Why you should have this goal: You could shape the minds of generations of scholars and university students by living the intellectual life. You'll sharpen your own mind while devoting your career to making exciting new discoveries and insights.Why you don't have this goal: You actually want to make money.
Creating a tech startup
Why you should have this goal: You could be the next Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs, reinventing the way society communicates and completely changing the face of technology. And getting very, very, very rich.Why you don't have this goal: You still can't figure out how to connect Apple Mail to the Blitz server.
Writing a novel
Why you should have this goal: Your thoughts, your very own words, could be printed on paper, establishing you as an enduring voice for your generation and if you're lucky, you just might become part of the literary canon for centuries to come.Why you don't have this goal: Started that paper for English 42 yet? Didn't think so.
International charity
Why you should have this goal: This is a popular option, whether through the Peace Corps or through private charities. You could work hands-on in developing countries, teaching children, helping feed people or providing health care. It's the right thing to do, it makes you feel better about yourself and it looks pretty damn good on a resume. Plus you might get to meet celebrities while they pick up their adopted children.Why you don't have this goal: Not much facetime in Burundi. But it's also way too trendy. Clearly you should worry more about not being too mainstream than you should about helping poor people.
Running for office
Why you should have this goal: If you have strong views on public issues, what better way to effect direct change than as an elected official? Instead of complaining about the injustices of the system, why not run for office and reform the system from the inside out?Why you don't have this goal: Do you remember what you did last weekend? No? Hmm, maybe running for office isn't such a good idea
Joining the clergy
Why you should have this goal: Priests, pastors, rabbis, imams, etc. are not only leaders of religious communities, but also serve as mentors and counselors to the people in their congregations. This is a great opportunity to help people walk through their problems and explore your religious faith more deeply.Why you don't have this goal: You'd probably have to give up pong.
Becoming a monk or a nun
Why you should have this goal: The same reasons for joining the clergy, except you don't have to deal with people.Why you don't have this goal: You'd definitely have to give up pong. Plus there's the whole chastity thing.
Climbing Mount Everest
Why you should have this goal: Only about 2,700 people have ever made it to the top you could be the next in line to be literally on top of the world. You don't get much more of a physical challenge than this.Why you don't have this goal: You think the "mountains" in New Hampshire actually count as mountains.
Becoming a journalist
Why you should have this goal: Wait, there are people who actually want to do this?
Working in finance
Why you should have this goal: Excitement. Challenges. A personal quest for power, self-fulfillment, and the American Dream. And probably something about money too.Why you don't have this goal. Oh right, you probably do. Never mind.
