I’m alive, I promise.

Thank you! I most definitely need it right now. Hope things are going well for you!

Graduating college can be a huge, scary step. Not only because of the unknown, but also because of the expectations associated with it. You've been prepping for years for this moment, and with that comes the expectations of your family and friends, and, even worse, the expectations you have for yourself.

Try to recognize that while this seems like a huge moment- it is just another day in your life. A year from today you will have just as much opportunity to shape the direction of your life as you do today.

And while you are admirably goal-driven, focusing on an “ultimate goal” might lead to more frustrations than solutions. Look at the incredible skill set you have. Look at your passions. What do you want to do with these? Going the reverse route- i.e. looking to an ultimate goal and then how you can shape it– would more likely lead to dead ends. As cheesy as it sounds, looking inside first can really do the trick.

Finally, I really admire your work with social media. I've only been subscribing to this blog for a bit, but I've already learned quite a bit about social media that I was totally unaware of previously. Some of this I am applying to organizations I work with. So thank you! You have achieved 'change.'

Why is that my goal? Well I want to contribute to something larger than myself in this lifetime. I want to make a concrete difference in the world – something that will last longer than myself. I DON'T want to let my skills and talents go to waste by working on things that don't have a positive impact. I want my life's work to be meaningful, and aligned with my own personal goals and passions.

I think that's pretty clear to me — the WHY is already pretty clear, so the “what” is only left. I know I want to do something meaningful, but within that, how specifically can I contribute? That's what I'm trying to figure out right now, I think.

Thank you again for your vote of confidence I don't know if I am going to do great things, but I certainly hope to maximize my time here on earth

Thank you so much for the kind words. They mean a lot to me at this confusing crossroads I'm at! You're so right – I feel like I have to fulfill not only my own expectations, but the expectations of all the people I know – family, friends, and my broader social networks. Often, those expectations differ vastly from the expectations I have for myself, which simply tends to make this a more difficult time.

I also completely understand how trying to focus too much on an ultimate goal is not necessarily the best approach to take. Yet, I feel like without that goal, I would lack focus and simply drift from one place to another. I would follow my heart in the short run, yes, but in the long run? It might create more confusion down the road if I don't have some clarity of what I'm trying to work towards. I've definitely thus been trying to come to a consensus, some middle point – how can I combine my skills and passions with some long term broader “goal” or “career path” that will allow me to maximize my skills and contributions? I'm scared of just “following my heart” without some sense of direction. I'm worried that without this ultimate goal, I'll get lost in the moments in between. I think it's an ongoing struggle, but I'll definitely take into account what you say. Thanks!

Thank you again for your comment about social media. I'm glad I've been able to help one person at least in some way The great thing about social media, in my opinion, is that anyone literally can become an “expert” just by dabbling in it. What types of organizations do you work with? Social media can definitely be a powerful tool as it's redefining marketing and communications; I can only speak from experience with non-profits, but there is definitely increasing value for companies and organizations in terms of investing in social media. At the same time, it can be difficult to test the ROI you're getting from it. Best of luck with your work. I'd love to chat more if you'd ever want to Feel free to send me an email or comment here.

Thank you for the comment. I've read other works by Fukuyama (his most famous End of History article) but haven't read that one yet. If I ever get time, I'll certainly check it out. Thank you!

I am applying to a wide range of jobs, not only non-profits. I'm very interested in working for law firms as well. No worries, I'm not limiting myself. I just want to take the best opportunity that presents itself to me, and then go from there. However, I do think working for a non-profit is quite powerful for my long term goals as well, perhaps even more so than other opportunities. A lot of people go into consulting or finance after graduation, but my skills simply aren't in the analytical arena as I mentioned. Thanks for the tip though!

I've been reading your blog for some time now, and though I frequently share some of your same worries (I am ambitious as well), I would say that you underestimate yourself in thinking that your actions (even if they ARE online) are futile. Human rights are something you are passionate about and as a 20-year-old in school full time, there is only so much you can directly do to aid starving Indian children or government exploited Nigerian citizens. “For now, though, you have something wonderful and that is the power of the pen.
Many people in our field tend to doubt that our actions and words are as effective as actually going out there and helping fix the economy as you mentioned earlier. Check out all the quotes about ignorance out there–the first step in solving/alleviating ANY problem out there is spreading awareness first…yes, it's cliche and everyone says it, but how are you going to engage anyone in action if you don't engage their brains and hearts into the cause first. What's going to make someone out there want to invest their time in helping some far off country with its economy if they don't even know about its plight first or the impact they might have on it?

“To be honest, there is no way in which some random stranger reading my blog will suddenly start caring about human rights or development issues.” Absolutely wrong–if anything, you're breaking down these issues into language and a perspective that many people can relate to. Please don't stop what you're doing. Good luck

Hi Ruby! Sorry I haven't responded for a while. I have been busy! Thank you for your comment and it's nice to see you back (a little, at least) on the blogosphere.

Wow. It's eerie how similar we think sometimes. I can't believe that's why you too stopped blogging for a while too. But after reading all these comments, I feel…redeemed, in a sense. We may not be making a huge difference online, but at least if we reach a few people with our words and passions, perhaps it's enough? It is important, however, to discern your motivations while spending time online. Are you spending time writing posts so you can become online-famous or get lots of hits? Or are you spending time writing posts because…you love writing, you care, and you want to reach more people with this issue? When the line becomes blurred and your motivations become selfish, then I would say to take caution. However, if your motivation is genuine, then perhaps it IS a decent way to spend time. After reading a lot about aid projects and their failures, and realizing HOW difficult it IS to actually make a difference by going out there, into the real world, offline, and to make change, I've begun thinking that online OR offline…it's hard to make a difference. Even if I raise a $1000, I don't know if that is making much of an impact. Who knows? Maybe writing a blog post like this is making a similar impact? After thinking it through further, I realized we really can't know where our impact is the most.. So maybe it's important to do what you love?

As to your second point, you definitely have it tough trying to make a difference in the corporate world! What is important is that you are not losing your ultimate passion, your drive, your desire to better the world. I know the corporate world can really water that down or make some people forget about their interest in social change after a while. I think that there are SO many ways you can contribute, and I know you are eventually going to get there. Whether it is working on CSR issues or a social enterprise or bringing business practices to nonprofits, I am confident you can do whatever your heart desires. But what I request is that KEEP blogging! Like you said, it's a way to remind yourself of your passion for social change and keep being “plugged in” to the world of social change through following other blogs/Twitter. I don't want you to lose your idealism, and if blogging keeps you accountable to your goals and ultimate passions, I really hope you stick with it.

I totally agree – we all have a different battlefield. And that's a good thing. Figuring it out is hard, and perhaps it's an ongoing lifelong struggle. I want to figure it out earlier – right now – but I'm slowly accepting the fact that yes, this is a long-term “question” I'll be asking myself. It's okay if I don't know the specifics at the age of 20 – the important thing is not giving up, staying committed, and working towards it somehow in some small step right now.

Thank you for your comment We should definitely collaborate at some point! Maybe when I'm a bit less busy…and once I figure out what I'm doing after graduation! What are you doing in Southern Africa, and in what country? I'd love to hear more! I may be in Africa too — fingers crossed!!

These questions don't have any easy answer, really. And I feel the same way as you – but perhaps there has to be some balance between thinking and acting. The action is needed, certainly, but so do we need to think through our actions and understand the issues first. Perhaps that's where blogging can play a role too? We also get a support system we need in order to embark on these journeys.

I sympathize with the urge to sometimes erase all traces of online presence. This whole social media thing can feel like a big show and can get very tiring. But every time I receive an email or comment from a reader, it keeps me going. It's a bit like being in the Peace Corps, if you reach even one individual, that's already an accomplishment.

Don't give up. Keep writing. Someone is reading, and even writing from your inspiration.

Development is a complicated business. My experience here in Cameroon has taught me that development will unlikely to come from scholars who dedicate their lives to the discipline. Development will only happen from a drastic change in mentality, and that comes from good governance. People need a government that provide their citizens with opportunities and hope in order to develop themselves. Sure, development experts and scholars can contribute, but the real change has to come from within, from the people themselves.

We all have a place in a world, and life is an incredible journey to discover that place. It's also fluid and can change with time and experiences. Good luck finding and creating your own place. There are more ways than one to contribute to this world!

You are right, perhaps I simply have to think more positively about my online presence. I do feel gratified when people comment, or start debating human rights/development issues or thinking more critically about these things. It means I was able to influence someone in some small way, and perhaps that DOES mean something. Just because you can't see the immediate change does not mean it's a worthless activity or effort.

I will definitely keep writing, keep thinking (and tweeting!) but I agree with the fact that scholars are not going to singlehandedly change development. But, the ideas and research put forth by many scholars – like Easterly, Sachs, Moyo etc (and then there are more micro-level development scholars who use randomized trials to test the impact of economic policies and aid/development programs and this type of monitoring/evaluation is sorely needed and very valuable in the development field – check out Duflo, Banerjee, MIT Poverty Action Lab, etc) – does have the potential to shape thousands of minds and result in better aid and development outcomes. I do think scholars focusing on development have a more applied focus than those in other, more theoretical, disciplines. At the same time, I understand that good governance plays a huge role. I think there's 2 conflicts: 1) we need economic growth, and 2) to get economic growth, we need good governance. And the problem is that good governance is INCREDIBLY difficult to change, especially from the outside, and most 100% cannot be changed by development or aid programs or even foreign policy. Individual aid projects might help people here and there, but the entire situation of a country will not change until good governance + economic growth is in place. I do think that tackling governance is the most difficult question, and again, I don't have any answers.

I guess more and more, I am just afraid of not making an impact. I don't want to die having dedicated myself to some human rights/development issue, and see the world in the same state as it is now. That fear of failure is truly frightening to me. Yet, I know I can't alone change the world – that's impossible. I don't know…it's a strange paradox!

Thanks for the nice comment! I appreciate your support

Anytime!
Here's a recent example of why discourse/education is a priority–check it out and leave me your feedback.

Hm, I'm not sure what you were referring to – perhaps you forgot to include the link/information in your comment?

I heard about that incident – it's really unfortunate that people still feel that way. I agree, there is so much more we can do and should be doing to change people's minds. I'll comment further on your blog.

Thank you, Melisa! I will definitely continue to write. I love writing, and I won't ever stop. I do think social media can be incredibly powerful, and I want to continue utilizing this blog and my social presence to help draw attention, in whatever small way I can, to important issues and causes I care about.

I am just worried that I come off as someone who is promoting herself or being arrogant. I don't want to come off that way, because I'm really not. I care, but I'm not conceited in any way. I worry my online presence makes it seem this way.

I will definitely try to manage my time on this blog and social media, and balance it with my offline activities and attempts to better the world. But you're right – online activities can be valuable too, it's just a matter of ensuring that you're using your time effectively – whether it's online or offline. Thank you for your message!

Hey Akhila, have you heard of this quote? Just heard it this weekend and thought I'd share.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman

I completely understand that change happens incrementally. Having worked and interned at several non-profits, I similarly did work like you have experience with – writing website content, improving social media outreach, communications materials, newsletters, etc. All the stuff that goes on behind the scenes at a non-profit. I understand that, but I also think that dedicating myself to a goal will help me ultimately get to the point where I'm not just writing copy, but I'm defending clients or leading a non-profit or international organization/agency. By leading rather than only being part of an organization, or perhaps even starting one of my own, I think I can make far more impact on shaping the way my organization is going in order to meet my broader longer term vision.

I also want to ultimately contribute to policy in the area of my interest, and particularly want a legal background in order to be able to contribute in these ways. I know I have big dreams and goals but I honestly think I can get there, without always doing incremental changes/work. I do think we can start revolutions and I want to be part of one!

I'll start out by contributing in smaller ways, but I think as my career grows I want to take leadership roles and shape strategy and policies, ultimately shaping ideas at a bigger level and leave the details up to others Obviously the details are important…but I feel like I can execute my big ideas only with a bigger role. Thanks for the comment!

Thanks! I've read that book and it's definitely a good one to explain that — but I suppose what is still unanswered is in the modern day, why are some countries rich & others poor. More importantly, why are our efforts to change that not working? Guns, Germs, and Steel is excellent and absolutely mind-blowing. One of my favorites

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll definitely be sure to check it out.