“What is the most important thing you look for in a career?” is the one question I always get asked. My answer is “to be happy and enjoy my life.” The one thing I always hear, then is “you need to think about money, happiness doesn’t pay for a living.” Although it maybe true, you can’t buy happiness. In my book, if you enjoy what you do and are happy with your career then everything else will fall into place. So rather than just focusing on money, follow your dreams and strive to be happy.
How can you do that? First and foremost to achieve this really think about who or what inspires you the most. It can be a friend, a family member, or even reading, writing, or music . Then just go from there. For me, it was always writing, singing, drawing or anything I can do to showcase my creativity.
The next step is to then do what you love and follow your dream. With the economy down, I know jobs are hard to come by. However, is it worth living miserably everyday? Always remember anything is possible when you set your mind to it.
The most important thing to remember is DO NOT let others decide your life for you. Someone might want you to be in the medical profession because of your knowledge and a knack for helping others. While someone else might want you to be an engineer because you are good with your hands and can assemble things even without reading instructions. But is that what you really want to do?
Even if others think you shouldn’t be doing something but you want to do it, go for it. Believe in yourself because the world is filled with endless opportunities. Also, you have to live your own life others can’t live it for you.
Taking from my own personal life, I used to be a nursing major not by choice but more like an obligation. Why is that you ask? My mom wanted me to do one of two things either be a nurse or an engineer. Since she never got to study nursing, she wanted her dream to be fulfilled through me. I however, was miserable. I applaud those who are in the medical profession helping those in need, but I knew it wasn’t my place. I was always interested in the arts.
Then finally I decided to take charge of my own life and follow my dreams and applied to Cabrini College as a communication major. This was just a year ago and now not only do I enjoy school, I love every minute of it. With classes such as journalism, video, and graphic design where I can show my creativity, I know this is where I belong.
With that said, my advise to you is, “Never feel the need to live in regret and if there is something out there you love to do don’t be afraid to chase that dream.”
