In a reflective piece, sophomore Riley Strait from Olathe, Kansas, delves into the intricacies of career aspirations and the challenges of effective communication. In his article published on December 14, 2025, Strait shares his personal journey of navigating various professional paths and the impacts of language in expressing oneself.
Strait opens with an unconventional perspective on career exploration, describing his approach as “ethically non-monogamous.” He draws parallels between his fleeting interest in various careers and a series of one-night stands, humorously stating that he considers options after only minimal experience. His musings reveal a desire to find meaning in his career choices, even while contemplating roles that range from an OB/GYN to a coroner.
Reflecting on the results of a middle school career aptitude test, Strait notes that his potential professions included OB/GYN, midwife, coroner, and funeral director. He mentions that the test did not suggest writing as a viable path, leading him to question the criteria used to assess his interests. “Maybe the odd menagerie of OB/GYN, midwife, coroner and funeral director was as close as the test could come to saying writer,” he muses, highlighting the disconnect between societal expectations and personal passions.
Strait’s narrative shifts to the idea of beginnings and endings, emphasizing that many professions, including writing, share a common thread of witnessing significant life moments. He acknowledges that while these roles may seem disparate, they all contribute to the human experience in profound ways.
The writer expresses a sense of frustration with language itself, likening it to a “leaky ship” that struggles to convey thoughts accurately. He recalls a school trip to Paris that left him contemplating the complexities of communication through the lens of psychoanalytic theory. His reflections lead to a poignant question: why do we value language arts despite their inherent imperfections?
In a recent seminar, Strait faced the question, “Why poetry?” He admits that he had never deeply considered his passion for the written word. He recognizes that every act of communication carries a potential for misunderstanding, yet he remains committed to exploring language as an art form.
Strait draws an engaging analogy with the fable of the tortoise and the hare, arguing that the journey of writers and poets is just as valuable as the end results. “We root for the writers and poets not because they succeed in overcoming language’s fated misunderstanding, but because they come the closest to it and fail proudly,” he writes.
Ultimately, Strait embraces his identity as a writer, acknowledging the challenges he faces in articulating complex themes. He likens his writing journey to carrying buckets of restless water, illustrating the inevitable spills and imperfections along the way. “No one blames me, and everyone is maybe a little bit happier because of it all,” he states, suggesting that the act of writing itself can bring joy, even in its flawed execution.
Through this exploration of career choices and the nuances of language, Riley Strait invites readers to reflect on their own paths and the importance of honest communication. His insights resonate as a reminder that the journey of self-discovery often involves navigating uncertainty and embracing the beauty of imperfection.
