Topics Education

Question I am about to be a senior at an Ivy League university, and I am starting to panic about my next step. I believe that I am intelligent, a capable worker and will succeed in anything I do. The only problem is... What should I do? How would different philosophers advise me to approach my next step in life?

Accepted:
June 29, 2010

Comments

In the abstract, this is a very difficult question to address, but I shall offer a few general points you might consider.

In his defense before the jurors in Athens, Socrates admonished his people to care for their souls instead of only pursuing material wealth and power. There is a rich tradition of caring for the soul in Ancient and Medieval philosophy that offers very practical advise on passion, work, ambition, vanity, humility and so on. A terrific book that would give you an overview of this tradition is Emotion and Peace of Mind; From Stoic Agitation to Christian Temptation by Richard Sorabji (Oxford University Press).

Apart from looking to the care-for-the-soul tradition (something I sought to address in a Last Lecture in 2010 at St. Olaf College you can find it on the College website), you might take seriously the difference between a vocation and a job. The concept of "vocation" (a calling) has its base in religious belief (called by God to do X) but it can be approached from a secular point of view in terms of trying to find that work that most matches your deep desires with the external needs and values of the world. I think it would be good (or good to consider) finding a vocation rather than merely a job (work that is undertaken, not because you find it intrinsically valuable but because of money).

Other matters to consider: You are an Ivy League student and have thus been the benificiary of an excellent education. Does that give rise to any desire for (public) service, to do good in response to the good(s) you have been given? Do you have any ethical or religious convictions that might impact your pursuit of a profession? For example, an ethical or religioius commitment to fairness or a passion against injustice might lead one in any number of specific directions (diplomacy, peace corps), just as a commitment to a clean environment might lead one into environmental law or politics.

Overall, I suggest the question "What should I do?" is dependent upon a prior question "Who am I?" To go back to Socrates, he admonished us to care for the soul, but he also put out there some vital advise: Know Thyself. I think if you take on that task, the rest will follow. Oh, and don't forget to read Sorabji's book! It is a little eccentric in places, but it is full of great material!