Graduation Realities

I graduated from Illinois State University with my Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Communications and Crop & Soil Science on Saturday. Double major, department honors, university honors, magna cum laude, lots of involvement and professional experience for my resume- the whole shebang.

I also moved back home indefinitely for the first time since starting college. I don’t have full-time employment. Not even a job offer in my field.

This is the reality today for most of my fellow graduates. But it’s hard to be too worried about it this time of year. Things are exciting in agriculture right now: springtime means farmers get back in the fields, 4-H and FFA programs are in full swing, and we hear about the latest technology being developed for next year. Lots of college graduates are joining the industry that they love. I get to see corn growing from my bedroom window for the first time in what feels like forever. Baby animals are everywhere being their adorable selves. What’s not to love about springtime?

I, along with many of my fellow graduates, am excited for what the future has in store. Seventeen long years of school are finally over. It feels like it’s finally time for life to begin away from the shelter and guidance of my parents. While I’m proud of my accomplishments in college- being involved, good grades, starting this blog- I’m looking forward to what’s next for me: a new job, maybe a new town or city, new friends, new experiences.

As Dr. Seuss said best, “Oh the places you’ll go, today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!”

So congratulations to all of this month’s college and high school graduates. The future is finally here, waiting for us to fill its pages with new experiences from the opportunities available to us in this day and age. We’ve reached a great milestone in our lives, so enjoy what you’ve accomplished so far. Find and follow your passion. It’s finally time to see where life takes us.