Ok To Change Your Mind

1) The first role model told listeners that at different points in her life she wanted to be many different things, from a pediatric surgeon to a journalist. What types of jobs are you interested in today? What types of jobs were you interested in when you were younger? Do you think you might change your mind again in high school? In college? After your first job? Why or why not?

2) One role model told us there are benefits to trying lots of different things as we try to find the right path for ourselves. What benefits can you think of for trying new or different things? How might trying out lots of different things help you in your future career?

3) Changing your mind can feel scary or overwhelming. But it is a powerful tool to put yourself on a better path. When is the last time you changed you mind about something? How did you feel before changing your mind? How did you feel after?

4) Sometimes we get caught up in what other people want for us or their dreams for our future. A role model said, “If you feel you need to change your mind about something, do it…because you know how to better dictate your future than anyone else.” What makes this a powerful statement? How can you make sure that you stay in charge of the decisions that impact your future?

5) A role model said, “It’s okay that you don’t have things figured out… people typically figure stuff out as they go… so part of life is discovering the different paths that your life will take.” What paths have you already explored in your life? Are there hobbies you’ve tried that didn’t work out or sports you’ve practiced that you didn’t enjoy? How did these experiences help you find a different path?

6) The final role model told us that “your dream career can be a journey; it doesn’t have to be a destination.” What is the difference between a journey and a destination? How might viewing your dream career as a journey help you explore more opportunities or be more willing to change your mind along the way?

It’s okay to change your mind. A lot of times we feel like we have to commit to this one idea, and because we’ve been doing it for so long, that’s what we’re supposed to be doing. I have had every career interest possible. When I was in middle school, I wanted to be a pediatric surgeon. And then I myself had to go to the hospital and realize that that was not for me. Then I thought I wanted to be a journalist, and I was going to run Vogue magazine. And then I realized that that was not for me. And then I wanted to write teen novels, and that was not for me. However, in each of those steps, I tried it. And that’s how I knew that it wasn’t for me. It’s okay to change your mind. It helps you build a long resume of very different and creative things. It helps you to have different experiences that you probably wouldn’t have had if you just stuck with one thing. And it’s absolutely okay to say, “This is not for me. Thank you for this opportunity, but I’m going to try something else.”

You can do whatever you want to do. It’ll take work. So, if you change your mind, then you will have to sometimes start from ground zero. But if it’s worth it enough to change your mind, then you might as well go with that flow and be true to yourself.

If you feel you need to change your mind about something, do it. As long as you’re thoughtful about it, go for it because you know how to better dictate your future than anyone else.

Always remember that it is okay to change your mind. I decided in high school that I wanted to pursue a career in forensic science. But when I got to Michigan State University, I wasn’t sure I really liked it, but I just wasn’t sure. I was majoring in chemistry, and I just didn’t know if chemistry was the right degree for me. I actually changed it to math, and then I changed it again to zoology and decided that the genetics route, which is what I was initially interested in in high school, was the route I wanted to follow.

Sometimes we make a decision, we don’t have all the information, and then we get new facts. And so, there’s nothing wrong with saying, “I’ve changed my mind.” I actually, in my career, I changed my major three times in college.

It’s okay that you don’t have things figured out. That is part of life. People typically figure stuff out as they go. There are very few people who know what they want to do and stick to it all the way through. So, part of life is discovering the different parts in which your life will take, so it’s okay.

I definitely changed my mind. I started in psychology, and it was terrifying, but I took the jump and changed my major to space science and I have absolutely no regrets. I’ve definitely found my passion in this field. I feel supported in this field, and I’m able to actually contribute to the industry in a very positive way. And I’ve seen my work manifest in that way.

No matter how far you’ve gone down the wrong road, it’s never too late to turn back. And I think that’s an important thing to remember. So don’t be afraid to change your mind.

The who you are in 10, 20 years is going to be different than who you are today. It’s part of the life process. And so don’t be afraid to change, embrace it, and look for where that new spark is in the next choice.

Your dream career can be a journey. It doesn’t have to be a destination. Just take it at least one step at a time, have one goal. Try to get there and then reevaluate, see what makes sense.

Okay To Change Your Mind Independent Learning Guide: This all-purpose guide can also be used by educators, parents, and mentors to jumpstart a valuable discussion about changing your mind to accommodate new information and interests.

Okay To Change Your Mind Classroom Lesson Plan: This step-by-step lesson plan is available to guide a more in-depth “before, during, and after” learning experience when viewing the video with students. This lesson plan is also suitable for use in after-school programs and other educational settings.

Use Empowerment Activities as a fun way to reinforce the video topic and build community with your students.

• Miniature Maze

Fun Page Activity: Have your dreams for the future changed over time? Most of us start out with dreams of being a doctor or teacher, but these dreams often shift over time as we learn more about a certain career or discover new interests. Get ready to learn that it’s okay—and even exciting—to change your mind in this inspiring fun page activity!