I've encountered too many kids who've been programmed from a tender age, say nursery school, to meet quantitative benchmarks such as stellar SAT scores and acceptance at the state flagship university campus that they totally ignored the qualitative side of life. Then, after jumping through all these hoops and being applauded at every stage for these accomplishments, they have no idea what makes them happy and are scared to try new things for fear of failing. There, having diagnosed the problem (as I see it), I'll leave the advise to others.

All of us seem to go through a period in our lives (at least once) where we say,

"My, God, am I really a go-getter or was I lying to myself?" or, conversely, the other half is wondering, "Do I really have potential?'

Or, how about, 'Should I stay in this line of work?" and "Should I have children or not?" and the list goes on. But, It's the questioning, dude. It's the questioning that matters. That's how we define ourselves. And we have to define ourselves in every new situation. Even old situations require our self-defintion. We just keep changing day after day after day. Self evolution is tough. But it's one of those neccessary things.

Another matter: Once you were a big fish in a little pond. Now you're a little fish in a big pond. Weird place to be, but you'll work through it. You'll define yourself along the way. Some people just need more collaboration, kudos and recognition. If that's who you are, then fine. Jump to a smaller company where you can really make a splash...

Ah, to know thyself.

As a newbie here:

To the little guy who runs around awarding stars to responses:

I don't like you either.

Get a copy of Constructive Living, by David K. Reynolds. And a t-shirt with Yoda on the front. You're not a go-getter, you're not a slacker--you're a person. Welcome to life.

Consider the book of Ecclesiastes. Or the teachings of the Buddha. Study Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs. Or listen to Hendrix. You want achievement. Now, you are learning that achievement is illusory. The solution is not to learn how to strive harder for achievement. You have to learn to let go. Live a small life. Small lives are generally happier. Live in your own body, in your own house, in your own neighborhood, with your own friends. Your job is what you have to do in order to do the things you want to do. Most people can't live well with an all-consuming passion. It's not healthy. Learn not to desire one.

And, yes, I was you once. I walked away from that career, went crazy, found another, got hurt, recovered, kept going and may have found my perfectly-size body of water for my fishiness. And the journey is its own reward. Be wild and free.

Perception is a tricky road to follow none the less understand, if a person is born with the ability to put things into perspective, no matter how young, this is greatly to his or her advantage. Since that person is willing to listen to reason, he or she has a better sense of who they are, not necessairly who others might think or not think of you as a person. People are often multi-dimensional, not just one flat surface, but how do we get people to pay attention to the other areas, clothes? expressions used, personal choices? whether they are sensible or crazy? It seems that at any given moment, many types of activites are going on, just turn on any television, and you can get a wide range of people doing things correctly, like a news caster, versus some one who is discussing the particulars of a item you need desperately on HSN, or further along, MTV-VH1 with a range of shows dealing with reality t.v., some of these people are just like you explained, straight up individuals, with a whole set of goals, aligned correctly with plans in tact, others are wanna bees, wild minded, crazed, but they also have their drama, their schisms, their comedy, what value do they possess that seems able to capture the sense of not only identity, but of faith, something that at times can't be seen, but yet we are willing to go out on a limb for it? What is that one person has pride, and another is a fool? Why is that one person can make a plan, and another coudln't make a plan if they wanted to? There are always going to be parrells, to what fierceness they pan out to, gives evidence to faith, and as well glory, and competition. The evidence for winning is a stratergy, sometimes those that are most competive trip up under their own rules. Let go of your inhibitions, and let the real you flourish, and go forth, you have allready proven you have the brains, now you want to show your style.

Only, I'm 41 and never have found find my way out of it. Top of my class in high school, full academic scholarship to college, graduated with high honors. Always an excellent student, involved in activities, loved by my teachers, unassuming but always well liked. Oh, it was all so easy for me!

And then, the real world happened. Not so easy! Not a place I'm comfortable in. Not a place where I shine quite so easily. What do I do? Where do I fit in?

I don't know! I don't know! What happened to the easy stuff, when my path was clear and my assignments were clear and the rewards were clear? How do I stick my neck out? What if I'm not good at that thing or this thing? What if I FAIL? Well, it's just easier not to try, so forget it. Stick with the easy stuff. Take jobs that are way beneath your skill level, don't make the bold moves, do a good job but don't ask for too much, because what if they say NO?

Does that sound familiar? Well, that was me. I've been out of the work force for 9 years after having children, but I still get that sad feeling of underachievement when I think about my "career" or what was supposed to be one.

Don't be me!! Be brave. You ARE more than a student. You can take risks and, believe me (as I've learned as a parent), there are worse things than screwing up once in awhile. You are talented and smart and you do indeed know how to work hard. Try something and if you don't like it or if you suck at it, try something else. You are young. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Good luck. My heart goes out to you.