Every day, I come across many choices: the choice to skip class because “one day won’t hurt,” the choice to get ahead of my homework or go out with my friends, but the biggest choice of all, is deciding what career I want to pursue.
Before college, I was dead set on becoming a high school math teacher and taking pictures as a hobby. Yet, I soon realized that I was going to need a job to pay for college and gave photography a shot. I applied to be a photographer for The Rider.
If there’s one good decision I made in my life, it would have to be this one. I never thought I would enjoy working every day, but being a photographer has given me this feeling. My friends have always described work as dull, boring and repetitive, but I have never come across that problem.
In the news media, no two days are exactly the same. New events occur every single day and it is our job to stay up to date, so we can keep the students informed. One day, I can cover intramurals at the Texas Southmost College Recreation Center, such as flag football, basketball or soccer. But, the next day, I could be taking pictures at one of the Brownsville City Commission meetings.
I truly enjoy every single day on the job–taking pictures, meeting new people, conducting interviews or even sitting in the office editing my pictures before they go up.
At the moment though, I am not focusing purely on photography. I am also giving teaching a shot. I am currently enrolled in the UTeach program here at UTRGV. Through this course, I have the opportunity to learn how to make lesson plans and teach students at different schools.
Even though I have only taken introductory courses, I have come to really enjoy teaching and have realized that teaching is something I could pursue as a career. I see myself teaching high school math and being an assistant coach for basketball. For this particular reason, I will continue with this program until I get to teach the high school courses next year to see how I feel about it.
My way of thinking can best be represented by Chinese philosopher Confucius’ saying, “Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”
I feel as if I have found that in teaching and photography, so I am at a conundrum. But, I am in no rush to make this decision. I am living my life day by day and seeing what else life has to offer by keeping an open mind to ideas and opportunities. After all, isn’t that what life’s all about?
If you’ve made it this far, take a moment to ask yourself if the career you’re pursuing is something you would enjoy doing day in and day out.
