Running In Place

Four years ago, I felt so far ahead. Now, I feel behind.

I've been sharing this same sentiment with many of my 20-something friends, and I have found a common theme among all of us. We went to college and had great internships in cities far from our small hometowns. We participated in extracurricular activities at our respective colleges. We thought we were doing all the things we were supposed to be doing to ensure our dreams would come to fruition. At 21, it seemed the possibilities were endless. From working on Capitol Hill to working for public relations firms in NYC, we felt right on schedule. Ahead of schedule even. Our grades were good, and the future was looking so bright. We thought we were dotting all our i's and crossing all our t's.

Fast forward to the future.

Here we all are, employed, but unfulfilled. We are grateful for our jobs, especially due to the condition of the current economy. But our dreams were larger than sitting at a desk and being mistakenly called a secretary. But we keep trying...doing the best we can at our jobs. We're trying to get ahead, only the way isn't so clear any more. There are no more report cards proving our hard work. There are no more internships; this is the real world.

It's just like a dear friend of mine said: I feel like I'm running in place.

We're going as hard and as fast as we can, but our dreams have shifted a bit. It seems those "dream jobs" have been given to people who know somebody. Or caught some lucky break. We worry how far our hard work will get us without knowing CEOs. And we can't help but wonder when are big break will finally come.

But we won't give up.

Whether we're applying for law school or graduate school, many of us are planning on furthering our education so we will have more opportunities and more connections. Some of us are biding our time in our current positions, hoping that a promotion will come and we will be fulfilled. We're networking. We're trying so hard for all this running to lead somewhere.

And little by little, things are happening. Acceptance letters are coming. Opportunities are presenting themselves. Dreams are slowly being fulfilled.

But for now, at least we're running. And at least we're dreaming. Because that's how we know we still have the fire in every single one of us. And that fire will drive us to the success we desire, and when we get there, the struggles we endured will make it all the sweeter.