“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
It’s a common question in a job interview setting; although, I can remember being asked the same thing in less formal words by my family members at holiday gatherings while I was in college. As much as I thought I had my five year plan figured out by the age of twenty, it turns out I had no idea what was really in store for me.
Five years ago, as a sophomore at Chapman University, I had just changed my major from Television and Broadcast Journalism to Biological Sciences. A long-time pageant competitor, I loved being in the spotlight, which attracted me to a career in television. However, I excelled in math and science, and after a life-altering experience serving with Global Medical Brigades in Nicaragua my freshman year, I decided to redirect my path towards medical school.
To make a long story short, neither of those career paths are the ones I’m currently pursuing, but they both had a huge impact on taking me where I am now. I’m embarking upon endeavors I had never imagined for myself and chasing dreams that used to feel completely out of reach. As an entrepreneur and consultant for the top global healthy living company, flight attendant in training for the world’s largest airline, and Miss America titleholder preparing to compete for one of the most coveted titles in pageantry, my current path is so much more exciting than what I could have ever imagined for myself.
As I share my journey to Miss California over the next few weeks, I want to encourage you to consider this: what if everything didn’t go according to your five year plan? It just could be that the final draft of your life story is so much better.