When I first started college, I assumed I would end up working a typical student job. Whether it was serving at a restaurant, working in retail, or finding a campus position, I figured my options would look similar to everyone else’s. Becoming a nanny was never part of the plan. In fact, I stumbled into childcare almost by accident. What I expected to be a short-term, one time source of income, quickly became one of the most rewarding and valuable experiences of my college years. Looking back, becoming a nanny wasn’t just a job, it was an opportunity that taught me responsibility and sparked my future career of working with children.
While the pay and flexibility had incredible benefits, the relationships I built were what made the experience so special. There’s something so rewarding about watching a child grow, learn new skills, and develop confidence over time from my care and attention. Some of my favorite college memories didn’t happen inside a classroom, they happened during afternoon walks, creative art projects, bedtime stories, and everyday moments with the families I worked for. The relationships I built with both the children and their parents became one of the most meaningful parts of the job. Even now, I still keep in touch with every family I’ve worked with. Watching children grow, reach new milestones, and become the amazing people I always knew they would be is so rewarding, and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to be a small part of their lives.
One of the most impactful experiences I had as a nanny was working with children with special needs. At the time, I didn’t realize just how much those experiences would shape both my personal growth and future career as a speech-language pathologist. Caring for children with such diverse communication, development, and physical needs taught me far more than any textbook ever could. It challenged me to become more patient, creative, and observant while learning how to support each child in the ways that worked best for them. More importantly, it gave me a new perspective into the everyday lives of these families raising children with special needs. As a nanny, I wasn’t just present during scheduled therapy sessions or medical appointments, I was there for the morning routines, homework struggles, mealtimes, meltdowns, bedtime routines, and all of the little victories in between that often go unseen. I got to witness the amount of planning, advocacy, and resilience that parents show every single day to support their kids. This firsthand experience has become valuable as I pursue a career in speech-language pathology because it reminds me that every child I work with has an entire life outside of the therapy room, allowing me to picture the child as not just a client, but the family as a whole and that perspective is something I will carry with me throughout my career.
Looking back, becoming a nanny was one of the best decisions I made during college, even though I never planned for it. It gave me so much more than just a way to make money, it helped me grow as a person and gave me experiences that prepared me for my career. I learned so many lessons that I know will carry with me as I become a speech-language pathologist. If you’re a college student looking for a job, I can’t recommend nannying enough. You never know where it might lead you or how much it could shape your future. Sometimes, the opportunities that end up changing your life are the ones you never expected to take in the first place.
