What is one of the scariest things you can do as a college student? For me, it was changing my major. It was a tough decision, especially because I knew that by changing my major I was going to prolong my time in school. I decided I could no longer sell myself short. I aspire to be greater and I am happy I made the change sooner rather than later.
I was dealt a challenging hand in my youth, so there was not much time for self-discovery. According to others in my life, school or success was not in my future. In my late teens, I became a manager, so I decided to enroll in Herzing's business management program, mainly to prove a point to those who had doubted me. I wanted to do something that was not going to take a lot of time, so I did not enroll in the field that I have always envisioned myself in: legal studies.
As I matured, I learned that being fast and selfish was not the key to becoming successful. No matter what the situation is, there’s a price that comes with being anxious to move so quickly. I did not feel that I was being true to myself, and I felt that I would ultimately regret my career choice.
I decided to change my major to legal studies because it is my dream job is to become a lawyer. My experiences in life lead me to believe that my purpose is to help others. I love to read, investigate, conduct research and write. I always act as a voice in defense for both myself and others.
My mission is to receive my Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies so that I can continue my education and receive my Juris Doctor degree. I also plan to someday become a motivational speaker. I encourage everyone to follow their dreams, no matter how long it takes, because it is worth putting in the time.
I do not regret making this decision; it was a risk worth taking. Patience is one major virtue that is required to get through life. Yes, we will all experience hard times, but that does not mean the road ends. I find ways to stay clear of distractions and signs that seem to say “detour.” Instead, I focus on goals that allow me to see my future clearer. My mistakes and accomplishments are my life story. I am operating with a clear view and I am driving towards success while no longer worried about what is my rearview. My advice is to continue to make your best decisions and move forward; do not bother looking behind you. Life is what you make it and your past does not define you.
Changing my field of study has brought peace to my heart. I have a new motivation that is led by self-encouragement. I cherish every moment that I spend studying in the midnight hours. I stand strong in my faith in myself, so I will forever override discouragement.
When it is all said and done, I will cry tears of joy because I am living out my purpose.
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* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
