Video by Molly Seaman, Casey Semenza and Pat Smith
A vision in life is important. But more important is for the vision to be feasible and flexible. Lives can change in a matter of moments and the vision that is set could be completely different.
The art of the 5-year plan is specific from person to person. Certain people will attempt to plan every moment of their life out and others will just “go with the flow.”
The plan of life becomes more and more prevalent as students reach the college of their choice. Students are selecting a major with the hope of graduating and eventually finding a job in their preferred field.
Darren Aupperli is a freshman 
criminology major. Before coming to Cabrini, his goal was to set out to play baseball in college. When Cabrini started the team beginning in the 2016 school year, the opportunity was one he could not pass up.
“The obvious plan is to graduate,” Aupperli said. “But after that I’m not sure, I think I’d like to work in some sort of law enforcement.”
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 80 percent of college students change their major at least once. However on average, students change their major at least three times.
Aupperli believes that the general consensus is that not many freshman know what they want to do upon arrival at college. “I think as time goes by here, I’ll be able to get a better sense of what I want to do,” Aupperli said
On the contrary, Amber Dietrich, a senior social work major and leadership studies minor, has a much different mindset as she approaches the end of her college career.
“In five years I would like to have my masters in nonprofit management leadership, social work, or higher education from the University of Pennsylvania,” Dietrich said.
Dietrich has been involved in a multitude of organizations throughout her four years at Cabrini, including being a Student Ambassador and Recreation Supervisor. She has also been a member of the Cabrini softball team.
“In ten years I will hopefully have been able to start a family, and been able to establish a strong base for my life,” Dietrich said.
The differences between the visions of Aupperli and Dietrich show how time helps to develop people’s outlook for their life.
But while college students scramble to find out their life goals throughout their four years of schooling, the search for a life’s vision doesn’t end after graduation.
Jill Smith completed her undergraduate studies as a communications major from 2005 to 2009. She was then hired in 2014 as the Manager of Student Media Operations, and an adjunct professor.
“If you told me in 2009, that I would be back at Cabrini, working full time and teaching students,” Smith said. “I would have laughed in your face.” Smith’s plan at the start of life after graduation was to hopefully work in a video or audio profession.
“Teaching was not in my five year plan,” Smith said. “But I encourage students to try everything. You might end up loving the situation you end up, and that could be completely different than your original vision.”
Smith’s life plan transitioned from working with audio and video, to working in higher education. She believes she would like to stay in higher education and potentially pursue her doctorate degree.
But once the doctorate degree has been obtained and a professor’s teaching career begins to come to a close, the vision for life once again may change.
Dr. James Hedtke is a professor of history and political science, a position he has held for 43 years. Hedtke graduated from Villanova University in 1973 with a master’s degree in political science. He became an adjunct history professor at Cabrini for 10 years before the history and political science department was created and he became a full-time professor.
“I was married right out of college, so I probably had a one day plan,” Hedtke said. “My hope was to eventually become a full-time professor, but it took a little time.”
Now, 43 years later, Hedtke is looking forward to future once again.
“If I look five years down the road, my grandson who lives with me, will have graduated college and be able to provide for himself,” Hedtke said. “I’ll then be able to retire and travel with my wife.”
No matter what phase of life you are in, there is still more left to live. A vision for what how you want that time to be spent will always be relevant.
“Have a definite one year plan, have a definite one week plan, then move to one year,” Hedtke said. “But be flexible, five years can always change.”
