Ambition

I have been thinking about ambition a lot lately, mainly because mine was questioned a few weeks ago. I have never wanted to be dean of students or in a high power position. I will admit that to anyone who asks. I look for positions that will allow for me to use my talents and make an impact. That can happen in lots of positions. My new boss has big ambitions and he admits to them as well. He is a strategic thinker and has big plans for his career. He has the time and the family support to achieve them. I have no interest in taking over for him when he moves onto his next step. Nor do I have family resources to do it. Does that mean my ambition is not as valued as his? Or if because my long term interests are outside higher education, they are trivial?

I was participating in a team builder with my new student peer educators last week and we were asked to name some of our dream jobs. I said a master gardner. My boss said dean of a business school. When I shared mine, my students asked me a bunch of questions and were really intrigued by it.

Every day I work with students who are trying to name or achieve their ambitions-each is unique and different and is theirs. And while I can't imagine doing what they hope to, I encourage them and value them for what they can bring to the world of business. I don't think less of them or try and talk them out of a particular path.

I feel like because I have "settled" on this being as high as I want to go in this field, my boss thinks that I am a burnout and afraid of a challenge. Oh well. I will just go home and focus on planning my garden:)