April 15, 2015

As a college student, it might seem a little ironic that I never wanted or planned on going to college. When I finally decided to go, it was almost too late to apply.

I’d always seen it as “Four more years of school? I’d be better off just getting a job!”

And after a long time, it finally hit me. Yes, I could just skip college and get a job. Not a career I enjoy, but a job.

In the last 19 years, I think I’ve changed my mind on what I wanted to do as a career over 50 times. I didn’t want to choose just some job that I’d make a solid salary each year at a job I only somewhat enjoyed.

I took a photography class in high school, and I finally came to a decision; I want to be a photojournalist. Taking pictures and writing news articles to go with it; count me in!

I’ve had a lot of people tell me “journalists don’t make any money,” or “it’s too competitive of a field; good luck finding a job.” But honestly, I’d rather be making less money doing something I love, and what job field isn’t extremely competitive these days?

It shouldn’t matter how much money you make each year as long as you love what you do because when you love your job, you never have to work a day in your life. Think of it as being paid for doing one of your hobbies.

Letting others discourage you from pursuing your dream career is the worst thing you can do. If you know what you want to do, go after it. And even if you haven’t decided yet, there’s plenty of time. Even if it takes another 12 years of school in college to figure it out, you’ll be so much happier in the long run.