Between Self and Others. The Career Construction Process of College-Track Students in a modern society in East Asia

It was a special time for Melissa, and she was beginning to wish it would never end. But, like all good things, it had to. It ended the night before her return to work when Darren had to leave. Bob drove them to the airport, and they said their good-byes quickly, outside the terminal. They had both agreed this would be better than that self-conscious "what do I say, what do I do process" that precedes any boarding. The ride home was quiet, with Melissa staring pensively out the window. It was Bob who finally broke the silence. "A little." "I think you're in love," he said, chuckling. "Don't be silly," she said. "That just doesn't happen to me. A long time ago, my dear, I had to make a choice between love and career. I chose career." "Don't be silly, Melissa. There's lots of women who have both. What makes you so special?" Knowing she could trust him, Melissa confessed her unique approach to journalism to him, diagramming in bold fashion the technique that was her trademark. She also explained how any man she'd ever been with, although seeming to accept it at first, would inevitably destroy the relationship with jealousy and anger. "Well, don't worry about it," he said. "I firmly believe that for every person, no matter what their particular preference or quirk may be, there's a counterpart in the world to exactly fit them." "I wish that were true." "Believe me, it is." Something in his voice suddenly sparked her curiosity. "Have you found your counterpart?" He stared at the road mutely for several seconds, weighing the question before answering. "I think we should discuss me some other time. Just trust me ...»