...the wheels of the British Airlines plane hit the tarmac at O’Hare International Airport and I was back in the States after spending nearly half of 2017 in India.

Somewhere between getting back to Minneapolis, sleepless nights thanks to jet lag, finding myself while traveling around the world; I did what I thought I'd never do.

I changed my major half way through my collegiate experience.

I began my undergraduate experience studying social work and my experience abroad allowed me to rediscover my passion for adventure and travel. So I switched...to Business and focused my studies on marketing.

Fast foward to the fall of my junior year, I am in a few business classes

with freshmen and when I attend networking events I am speechless.

I freeze in my place and leave the events prematurely, over whelmed and

disappointed I was not as bold as my peers to make conversation with strangers.

After a few much needed pep talks with myself and my (unofficial mentor—you’ll hear more about her in a little bit)… I remind myself you just switched from studying how to best equip the margins to learning the

ins and outs of excel give yourself time to master the art of conversing with strangers.

Soon after my own pep talks, my girlboss (unofficial) mentor told me four words I needed to hear from someone other than myself: You're doing just fine. Four powerful words we say to ourself, but somehow the power comes from people we respect and look up to, letting us know we are doing ay-okay.

Fast-forward exactly a year later, from nervous Katrina to today. I wouldn’t say I have it down but I finally know what I want to do and I am a senior in college.

Wait so you’re telling me you didn’t know when you were 18 what you wanted to do? (Correct) And that’s perfectly okay, even if you find yourself hallway through college (like me) and still don’t know, it’s okay!

Pursue your passions and a career will follow in time.

I received an email from my girl boss mentor recently that said:

So if you’re like me, a girl who tends to stick to the plan she created, I suggest you be open to changing things up and pursue things you are passionate about! You’ll be surprised where it takes you!!