Once I started college, I knew I had to start being a lot more serious about my future career. When I applied to colleges in high school, I had a few ideas circling through my mind about what I could be, but I wasn’t too sure which one I would go with.
When I was thinking of attending St. John’s, I knew that they had a great law school, and law was one of my career ideas. I applied as a psychology major, feeling that the subject matter could help me get to understand people in any field I ended up choosing to pursue.
From the moment I officially selected St. John’s as my university, I decided that I was going to take the law path and try to apply to their law school. I made sure to join clubs and attend networking events that would help me work my way up. I felt that to build a good resume and application, one needed to make themselves known. Even though this is true, I eventually learned that this isn’t everything.
I’ve had some instances of imposter syndrome, where I felt that maybe I was making a mistake. I looked at everyone else around me who seemed to have the same goal as me but was doing it a bit differently. I was afraid that I wasn’t doing enough or that my path itself was wrong. It was so discouraging to think that after all my planning and hard work, there was a chance that I wasn’t fit for the career after all.
However, as I continued in my education, I became a more well-rounded student. I was strongly encouraged by my professors, and even found another subject I loved that I ended up declaring a minor in: philosophy. This subject helped me become a better reader, writer and thinker. With the encouragement I received, I was able to feel more confident in pursuing my legal goals, feeling that I had grown academically and would be able to handle it.
From this, I learned that even if my path to reaching my goals looks different from everyone else’s, or even if I myself stick out from the crowd a bit, it doesn’t mean I’m not fit for the role. Your differences might just be your biggest strengths, and you shouldn’t bury them or feel ashamed because they aren’t what is typically seen from someone following your path.
My investment in my future career got me to fall in love with it all over again. I initially toyed around with the idea of pursuing law, and going to St. John’s really solidified that idea. With the encouragement I received and the personal growth I experienced, I felt more confident in myself and believed that I’d be able to achieve my goals. It’s important to never stop believing in yourself. You never know how the growth you experience over time will shape you.
My advice to anyone planning for their future career is to find people who support you. You can do just about anything you set your mind to if you have a plan and work hard towards your goals. Don’t be afraid to try new things either. It’s also important to remember that comparison is the thief of joy. Everyone goes through life at their own pace, so you can’t allow others to be the benchmark of where you should be. As long as you believe in yourself and work hard, you’ll be able to achieve your dreams.