Noa Cadet | Staff Writer
Everyone tells you that college isn’t going to be easy. Balancing the intense workload along with a social life and a job can be tough. Then there is always that nagging doubt as to whether what you are working toward is what you really want to do.
Whether you are a first-year or a senior, undecided or well into your major, we have all had those days when we are down and question if we are truly invested in what we want to do.
Listening to naysayers is no help since it only makes you doubt yourself more. All that talk of “You’re not going to find a job with that major” or “You’re doing everything wrong” is just negativity that will only steer you down a dark path.
The truth is that the path you choose is one that you are passionate about and envision yourself doing long term. If you are not doing something you love now, then how are you going to bear doing it for the rest of your life? Your career choice isn’t a “bad choice.” Your passion isn’t wrong, and you are going to make it. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and dedication, but if you love what you are doing, this work isn’t as strenuous.
Oct. 26, Hampton University hosted the first “In the Industry” Entertainment Panel, consisting of Hampton alumni who have become members of the entertainment industry. The speakers ranged from performers and noteworthy DJs, to producers who spoke of their lives in Hampton. They spoke about the importance of network building and told their audience stories of how they worked their way up to where they are today.
The alumni who spoke weren’t child stars. They aren’t children of rich business moguls, they aren’t larger than life. They were once students of Hampton University, just as we are now. They dedicated their college years to both getting an education and working to fulfill their dreams. Their biggest words of wisdom to students was to start networking now, for it is never too early to form connections to those with the power and influence to help you succeed.
Another prominent point made at the panel was that your major doesn’t always have to correlate with your career, despite popular belief. Just because you’re a psychology major, doesn’t mean you must go into psychology. Just because you’re a business management major, doesn’t mean working in a corporate office is your calling. And that’s all right, because ultimately it is about following your passion and ensuring you have the qualifications that makes a career path work for you.
Chase your dreams, find your drive and work. Life is too long to be unhappy with what you do. So, the question of the day is: What motivates you to continue working for your career? What motivates you to get up every day and work within your major?
When asked this question, Jordan Grundy, a freshman biology major with a pre-med concentration from North Plainfield, New Jersey, said, “Well, one thing that motivates me is my father. He has always inspired me to do great things in life. And I’m grateful to have such a great influence in my life. And my mom helps me every step of the way, supporting me anyway that she can. It helps me to be more determined to stay on track with my major, also.”
Marcus Ramos, a freshman cyber security major from Suffolk added, “I’m motivated based on my drive and passion for helping others. I find that my calling in life is doing whatever I can to make another person happy.”
You are the person in charge of your own life. Do what you want to do with it, or you may never find yourself truly happy or successful. Life is too long to work toward another person’s definition of success.
The Hampton Script 