How I did it: Lets see...

I remember I was 13 years old, and while a lot of kids around me kinda already knew what they wanted to be, I was lost in a sea of possibilities. I wanted to be an artist, a journalist, a traveler, an ambassador, a fashion designer, and an interior designer.When i arrived in high school, pressure kicked in, and everyone kept telling me to think about engineering, architecture, doctor, lawyer, you know, the big "money-making" heavyweights with "prestige". I wanted to have a creative career, with which I would be able to help people, make decent money, that's flexible, secure, and I'll be happy to wake up and rush to. In due to all this career pressure I messed up in my last year of high school, going from a 4.1 to a 2.6 in one year because of depression and constant verbal abuse at home. I surprised my teachers, who were in serious shock/disbelief/disappointment and me.And I still had no idea what I wanted to do after I graduated.

A year and a half later, flash forward to Nov 2010. One random day at the computer, I was reading a US News article. And while I was reading, I found one job that kinda stood out at me, and that was Physical Therapist. Call me random or scary, but I really had no idea what that was. I started searching all over online to get more information about it, and I was really happy about what I read. I actually had a really big grin on my face while l was reading really, as pathetic and nutty as that may sound. I had this "AHA!" moment, it felt right. And from then onwards, I still think about that as my possible career after college. To make sure I checked online manuscripts of colleges that had the major, and the classes. I really liked the classes and the material. I found them interesting and exciting.I even wrote down some of the textbooks, and went to bookstores to check them out. I was fascinated to read them. I knew then I found my niche.And I plan to make it my major next fall, and plan to transfer before Spring semester is over. It will take me 6 years to get my DPT, I hope maybe 5 since I completed one year of college. I will also have to continue educating myself, but that is okay, hopefully. I don't have a lot of money, and scholarships are hard to get now, but I will work my butt off to get there, someway, somehow. I'm already quite a bit in debt with some loans, but I'll plan a way out. I have a lot of ideas in my head, and some of them have to work. There are millions in the same boat. And you know what... I'm excited.

Lessons & tips:

• Look around and be curious. And be open to random, unexpected possibilities. I never imagined myself working in the medical field, I'm imagined myself being a writer or an artist, but I needed something to back on in case that didn't work out.

• You can always do the things you love as a hobby if you like. I still write everyday or whenever I can.And I make crafts and drawings and paintings and still design outfits. I already designed my 20th birthday dress and already it is being crafted.I can't sew to save my life, but I am learning.
• When you think of looking a job you really want, think of things that you want to accomplish and your values. More often than not, you can find what you really want from there.

Resources: This articles. I found it last year, but it was one of the greatest things I ever found. It really helped me put things into perspective:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2326649_calling-life.html

Most of all, trust your gut, seriously, it knows what its doing. Nature gave it to us for a reason, use it. It will seldom misguide you.

Dec 31, 2010, 07:00PM PST | 0 comments | 2 cheers