There are many words that come to mind when thinking of the cultural atmosphere of the United States this year — divisive, competitive and volatile, to name a few. Between quite possibly the most controversial run up to a presidential election of all time, new discussions surrounding artificial intelligence and its place in the workforce, and the fiercely competitive job market, it is clear that we live in tumultuous times.
I hope that these words do not define this year in history, though. Maybe I’m biased as an upcoming graduate, but for me, 2024 is a year of transformation, not degradation.
While the COVID-19 pandemic still remains an issue, the lingering effects of lockdown have settled into a new normal. Zoom is no longer a technological novelty or learning curve but a regular aspect of our daily lives as students and employees. Working from home, which was once rare and often frowned upon, has become a selling point on many companies’ job listings. People are learning how to maintain their creativity and effectively collaborate while not occupying the same physical space.
Students have begun to feel the growing effects of advancements in artificial intelligence, too. Educators are placing a greater focus on how to work with artificial intelligence rather than continuing to fight its usage. With unemployment rates at historic lows, the job market is increasingly competitive for new graduates, which adds a sense of urgency to getting our degrees before the well runs dry.
When it comes to politics — both in Mississippi and on a national level — there is a sense of impending change. Political parties are more divided than ever, and no matter how the upcoming presidential election turns out, our country will no doubt experience dramatic shifts.
On a state level, the re-election of Gov. Tate Reeves orients Mississippi in a religious, conservative direction that many students, myself included, are fearful of. The threats against reproductive freedoms and access to fertility care being brought before the Mississippi Supreme Court have the potential to drastically alter the rights of women in a way not seen since the emergence of Roe v. Wade in 1973.
No matter your beliefs regarding the political climate, there is certainly a lot of change on the horizon, and the future is hazy. For those of us who are graduating this May, this change coincides with one of the biggest events in our lives. Between deciding on our future careers, where we want to move after college and who we want to be as adults, there is a lot of uncertainty involved with any graduating class. Of course, the graduating class of 2024 is the same class that graduated from high school and began college during the onset of the pandemic with more uncertainty, fear and general confusion in the world than any generation had seen in quite some time.
While transformation can be scary and daunting at times, it can also lead to new experiences and personal growth that never may have been achieved otherwise. One of my favorite quotes about this comes from writer Elizabeth Gilbert:
“In life, we must always be prepared for riotous and endless waves of transformation. So, while 2024 may involve some riotous change, and maybe at times even feel endless, all we must do is steady ourselves and try to ride the waves.”
Liv Briley is a senior integrated marketing communications major from Lemont, Ill.
