The question “What am I going to do after college?” plagues most college graduates. Some people find jobs during their senior year and some start their job search during the summer. Graduates either intentionally look for a job in a field that interests them or jump into the first position that they can find.

This Pesach, at my large family Seder, I had to field the usual repertoire of questions: how’s your job? Are you still living in the same apartment? When are you going to graduate school? I used to be able to answer those questions with self-confidence; this year, my answers are different. The truth is that I have checked out of the corporate and non-profit world and am babysitting while I re-evaluate. The truth is that I was laid off from my non-profit job in February, and that I’m receiving unemployment. Ultimately, I’m taking a break.

I was one of those kids that always knew where they were going throughout high school and college. The prospect of graduating without a sure-fire plan filled me with dread. Two years ago, I panicked on the last day of college, called my cousin, and through his contacts obtained a good paying job that started 6 days after graduation. Did I think intentionally about my future? No! Did I consider where I really wanted to live? No! I just thought that the best thing for me was to find employment. I packed up and moved to Chicago. I hated my job, but stuck it out until I found what I thought was my dream job. I was wrong. Nevertheless, I persevered until their funding difficulties forced them to eliminate my position. I am back where I started: educated yet jobless. This time, I decided to do things differently. I’m taking a break from a “real job.” I’m reassessing. I’m being intentional about what I want to do with the rest of my life. I will take opportunities as they come.

This is simultaneously terrifying and fun. I love babysitting. There is nothing more pleasurable to me right now than playing with toddlers for several hours a week. I’m also working on starting a freelance writing career, because I have realized how happy writing makes me. I have no idea when I am going to graduate school or what I am going to study. It is acceptable to step out from the fast track and reassess where you are going, even if graduation is a mere two years in the past. It is not necessary for everyone to sit on a pressure cooker. It is alright to “take a break.”

Lisa Anchin took a different journey into post-college life. She graduated from Smith College in 2004. After graduation, Lisa returned to the local museum where she had worked during the summer while beginning her job search. She knew that she wanted to work in publishing—Lisa aspires to write and illustrate children’s books. But, she found the publishing world closed to her. In December 2004, she quit her museum job to concentrate on her job search and work on book projects. Lisa also took classes at a local college to update her skills in graphic design and writing. In February, her luck improved “A family friend was over and saw my illustrations scattered on the dining room table. He started asking me questions about my art….and then asked if I would be interested in doing some illustrations for him,” reflected Lisa. Lisa began to do freelance illustrations for an educational book company.

In August, a friend from college asked Lisa if she would be interested in her position at Planned Parenthood. She went in for an interview and got the job. “Clearly, it wasn’t a publishing job, but the skills I would learn sounded valuable to me,” stated Lisa. At the end of January 2006, Lisa became a fulltime employee at Planned Parenthood. Lisa continues to work on her art and writing. “Each night, I either write 2-3 pages or spend 2-3 hours painting or some combination thereof. I’ve still maintained my dedication to my personal work, but now I have health insurance,” said Lisa.

Lisa advocates taking things slowly and being flexible: “I’ve found that opportunities fall into your lap every now and then. It doesn’t happen often, but when such an opportunity arises, you have to be ready to jump.” I’m taking her advice.