Ali Coleman isn’t sure where she’ll be a year from now, but she knows herself better than ever.

For Coleman, there’s been a certain order to life. Graduating near the top of her class at Lewiston four years ago, landing at Bowdoin College by virtue of the academic success that earned her a Chamberlain scholarship, and starting a job search before her graduation this spring from the prestigious school.

Now the hard stuff begins.

search before her graduation this spring from the prestigious school.

Now the hard stuff begins.

“I don’t really know what’s next,” says the soft-spoken senior. “I haven’t found my passion yet or my calling.”

She’s looking for work, something full time with benefits, if possible, that will put her degree in history with a minor in sociology to good use. The process is a little daunting to Coleman, who confesses to procrastinating because the prospect of making her way in the real world is disconcerting.

“I don’t have a lot of experience in the corporate world,” she says with a slight laugh. “I’d like to stay in Maine, though.”

She has a possible summer job in Rockland working with a company that produces trade shows.

Coleman’s not sure how that fits in her overall career picture, but at least it would help her get acclimated to living on her own, and give her some financial footing to begin paying off her $17,000 in student loans.

“I figure it’s a good way to get some work experience,” she says.

The thought of transitioning into a job and moving away from the campus she’s called home makes her pause.

“I guess I was surprised at how at home I feel here,” she says. “It will be hard to leave.”

In retrospect, she wonders if majoring in sociology might have been a better fit, since she’s continually fascinated to learn about people and how they deal with things. She’s philosophical about her own life now, aware that she’s leaving Bowdoin with more than a degree and lifelong friends.

“I figured out what I’m good at and what I’m not good at. I found out a lot about myself.”

This is one of a several part series. To read the rest of the stories, click here.