What Ever Happened to Following Dreams?

As a senior in college, I'm constantly surrounded by (unsolicited) advice about my future. Usually these conversations all start the same:

Them: When do you graduate?

Me: (*Not soon enough*) May 7th

Them: Oh wow! That's soon, you've got a lot of work to do, have you given any thought to what you'll do after school?

Me: (*Only every single day for like the past five years*) Oh, I think I have a few things in mind. I'm just going to start applying and see what happens.

Them: Oh.. (*judging/disapproving look) well that's nice. Where have you thought about applying?

Me: (*Anywhere/everywhere that is hiring** but actually ramble off a few generic companies and talk about my internships*)

Them: WELL when I was your age...

*Cue somewhat practical, usually helpful, but sometimes just outright offensive advice*

Don't get me wrong, I am extremely blessed to have so many people in my life who care about me and my future. I'm thrilled that there are professionals out there who still care about helping emerging individuals in their fields. I honestly do want all of the help I can get on my resume, and I NEVER get tired of hearing things along the lines of "I actually have a connection there and if you'd like I'm sure I could pass along your information."

However, advice and opinions are different.

DO feel free to tell me about/help me with:
- Potential employers
- Benefits conversations (because who actually understands those?)
- Resume builders
- Networking events
- Etc.

Please DON'T take it upon yourself to tell me:
- The job that I want does not pay well
- That I'll actually hate my field when I get started
- That I should really consider other people when making my own decisions
- That I shouldn't try to go too big at first
- That I should really think about when I want to have kids before starting a career
- That you think a man would be better suited for my chosen career
- That I'm going to have to work really hard for the rest of my life
- That YOU just couldn't do it

While some of those things may be true, I can't tell you how much it makes me sick to see young people put down for following their dreams. I am well aware that the field I have chosen will not anytime soon make a millionaire out of me, but it's what I enjoy. I am also aware that I am going to have to work very hard, but I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing well.

When you tell someone like me to aim lower, to try less, or to ask for more money just because we think we deserve it, you're really being quite rude. If you worked all your life for something, then finally achieved it and everyone said, "that's nice, but you should've done something else," or "I'm glad you like it, too bad you'll always be broke," it's a little hard to be excited.

The truth of the matter is, every college graduate should be proud. Anyone who has ever worked hard and achieved a goal, college or not, should be proud. People should be allowed to challenge themselves, to be ambitious, to put their personal happiness above their salary.

I understand that there's an "American Dream" or some sort of standard that everyone is trying to achieve, but if you ask me, being twenty one and excited to start a career that I'm passionate about, instead of only thinking about money and status, should be seen as just as much of an accomplishment.

Don't complain to me about the youth of today and how we're all "greedy" and "unmotivated" when the people who give us advice are the ones making us that way.