In the 8th grade, my homeroom teacher told my class, “if you ever want a realistic career in the world, you either become a teacher, a preacher or work in a hospital.”

13-year-old me was baffled by this comment.

When I was younger, I changed what I wanted to be when I grew up frequently, but the one idea that always stuck to my mind was being a writer. That possibility still has never left my brain, even though I’m currently a Health Careers major at my local community college. Why would I major in that, though, when writing was what I’ve always considered since I was little? It’s the simple, stable, and quickest way out. I discovered a program that only requires 18 months of actual training and education, not a basic 4-year program.

I believe that these programs that are only nine months or even two years that educate you for a career right after college are helpful. For me, personally, the traditional 4 years of high school was not my thing. I was unmotivated, especially through my senior year. I never went above the bare minimum of working. Needless to say, Senioritis hit me HARD. And when I got older, mainly before I graduated, I realized, I don’t want to go through another four years of classes, I was ready to find a stable career, as soon as possible. I read more into these 18-month programs about different jobs at hospitals that are actually super important jobs and they pay well. Another bonus is the healthcare.

My one inspiration into going for the Health Careers program, was looking at my parents’ jobs. They have the jobs they have, because of the healthcare benefits, because of paychecks, so they can keep a roof over our heads. These were all things no child really ever has to consider. Realistically, these career-ready education programs are good for a lot of people and good for the community.

There are all those reasons, and they are all very persuasive; but to this very day, I still seem to have that nagging voice in the back of my head telling me this isn’t the only route I have to take. Ever since I was little, I loved writing short stories. Writing was my little secret to myself until high school. Fortunately, my high school English teachers were always open-minded with a creative story-telling. I felt comfortable to write what I wanted. My teachers reached out to me, telling me this is what I should pursue. The support I received from them only made me want to write more.

When I sent my application to college, I wrote Health Careers, and for just a second, I wanted to erase it. I wanted to put down English. I wanted to practice and discover new things about writing — I wanted to be a writer. But I knew the weighed-out realities, I knew what would be the better outcome for me.

I wish I could’ve found a way to pursue both, but it would be a pain, financially and time-management would be even more tough. Some people can manage both, or they can even pursue the craft or career they wanted, and it’s inspiring.