You may grow up always knowing what you want to do with your life or you may not have a clue at all. There are those things that you love, that really draw your attention to them, and you think that those are the things you are supposed to spend your time doing or thinking about daily. I know this was at least the case for me. I can still remember back to when I was in first grade and told my parents that I wanted to be a veterinarian. While this was strange since most kids at that age are thinking about being cowboys, astronauts, superheroes, and President, I had very high aspirations for my future as a seven-year-old. I didn't even have a pet at the time, but I loved animals and wanted a dog so badly. It actually wasn't for two more years that we finally got one. This career goal would last for the rest of my life and even today, somewhat.

I got to college for my freshman year and still had this future in mind, so I was a Biology major since I've always liked life sciences. I powered through my first semester and things were still looking up to this idea. As soon as I came back for the second semester, I had a major "revelation" I guess you could call it. I started rethinking everything I had been through and was starting to feel unsure about the future of my undergraduate and graduate education. I began to think that maybe this was going to be the moment in my life where I realized what I am truly meant to do for a career. I always felt like it was my calling to be a vet, but maybe this was a sign that just because I love it doesn't mean it's the right path for me.

I was so upset and felt devastated that my life's dream was coming to an end. It basically felt like the end of the world. I thought I had failed and lost all hope. This was a pretty awful first week of school for me since I thought it was worse than my first week of college in August. As I was discerning what I needed to do next before classes began, I called my parents and my mom said something that I will now remember for the rest of my life. "There are always those things that you can be so passionate about. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that's what you're supposed to do in life." This is so true, I thought I just got hit in the back of my head. Parents man, they always know just what you need to hear. So, they told me to keep the idea of vet school in the back of my mind, but try something else that interests you.

So, I thought about journalism. Funny how I came up with that, since my parents, especially my dad, have always said that was a very suitable career for me. In the process of thinking about this, I decided to take some career assessments online so I could get an idea of some different GenEds to take. What do you know, three of them came back with results containing "broadcast tv analyst," "columnist," and "editor." I honestly couldn't help but laugh while I was crying. So, I enrolled in a mass communications class that would also help me get journalism degree requirements completed. I have to say, this ended up being a more uplifting moment for me.

I'm really glad that I chose to do this, and I really enjoy the class and I am indeed very interested in a career in journalism. While I still think about being a vet and how it may still be a possibility for me, I have to think of other opportunities. I had multiple back-up plans lined up in case vet school didn't work out, such as physical therapy, physician's assistant, or other biology-related careers. But, I probably should have had something in mind that wasn't science related for the sake of broadened opportunities. I've learned that while you may admire a certain dream for your entire life, it may not really be what fits you best. Sadly enough, while science is one of my favorite subjects, none of the career or personality tests I've taken have come back with any results that are medical related. You have to be so realistic about your future, especially when you're in college and may or may not know what you want to do. Of course, I'm gonna carry on with my hobbies and interests with animals and science, I'll still be the best owner a dog could have. I just may not end up doing it for a living, and I'm slowly starting to feel okay with that.