Career Girls

By Sareena Rama

 

The struggle of answering the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” hits you from a young age. Everyone makes us think that we must know exactly where we are going. But no one tells us that we should be exploring everything that is available to us. 

 

In my personal experience, I have gone from wanting to become a veterinarian to a professional singer to a sports reporter to a social worker to a fashion designer and finally, to a teacher. 

 

The pressures of needing to know exactly where I am headed put a damper on my motivation. I felt like I wasn’t smart enough to become a veterinarian so, at a young age, I gave up on trying my hardest in school. In hindsight, I wish that I had continued to try my hardest in everything I did so I could be open for every possibility. I wish someone told me that I don’t need to know exactly where I am going but I do need to know I am going. 

 

The decision to become a teacher came to me after trying on a ton of different career hats but the decision was completely driven by passion for wanting to make a difference. I can tell you right now, at 18 years old, that I am proud of where I am, incredibly happy to be in college and so excited for my future. 

 

I encourage anyone who is confused about what they “want to be when they grow up” to keep trying your hardest in school and to be driven by what motivates you. And never forget that, what you’re interested in today may not be what you’re interested in tomorrow.