From an early age, I pondered how a person decided who they were meant to be and what brought them to that moment. I kept waiting to have a natural talent for something that would make my career path obvious, but of course, that magical moment would never happen on its own.

As my teen years began, however, I started to worry I would never find my professional calling. I was haunted by the idea of sitting in a cubicle doing meaningless, monotonous work that would leave me dreading each day ahead. When was the lightbulb going to appear over my head, finally letting me know what I should do?

I wish someone had told me sooner that there was no lightbulb. I was also too naïve to realize that I wasn’t supposed to be searching for what I should be doing but instead what I wanted to be doing.

What I wanted to do was be in the creative field in some way but had unfortunately convinced myself there was no sustainable future for artists. Despite this, I continued to enroll myself in creative courses in both fine arts and digital creation. I just couldn’t stay away. After exhausting the two graphics courses offered, I continued working in the studio for an independent study. It should’ve been obvious what I was meant to be doing with my life.  

However, when I was 16, I put graphic arts behind me and made a plan to make myself what I believed to be a “valuable asset,” focusing on my career in mathematics. I know what you must be thinking, “How did you go from loving the arts to wanting to pursue math?” It might be hard to believe, but I always loved my math classes in school. During high school, I pushed myself to the highest level I was capable of, completing the first level of calculus in my senior year of high school.

Yes, I was good at math, I would even say I was great at math, but I wasn’t amazing and failed to place in the highest-level courses in high school. Not the mention, I was barely squeaking by in my statistics course. I began to worry that my decision to pursue math was a mistake and four additional years of rigorous coursework was bound to ruin my mental state.

I was at a crossroads on whether to choose security or passion. With a degree in mathematics, I assumed I would be up against a smaller population and in the market for higher-paying jobs. It seemed the obvious choice from a logical standpoint but I couldn’t ignore the pain in my heart when I thought about letting my creativity sit dormant.

At the time, I confided in the teacher I looked up to the most, Mr. Flake. I first met him during my Freshmen year while taking the optional graphic communications course. We instantly bonded and built a strong relationship that would benefit me in many ways throughout my high school years.

I explained my situation, weighing the pros and cons of both paths, asking for Mr. Flake’s opinion. He responded with a simple question; “But what is it that you want to do?” He asked me to put money and job markets aside and picture my life in the long run. Would I rather get up every day to be faced with numbers and mathematicians or visual arts and designers? To me, the answer was obvious.

Mr. Flake reminded me that the salary and the competition won’t matter if I put in the hard work he’s seen from me in the past. He commended my determination in class and insisted that if that attitude continued, I would stand out amongst the crowds. To say I was inspired would be an understatement. I have always been unsure of my abilities on the creative front but Mr. Flake boosted my confidence just enough that day to be the final straw that broke the math camel’s back.

In 2022, I received a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design, and in May of 2023, a Master’s in Interactive Media Communications. I am so grateful I had a mentor like Mr. Flake that encouraged me to follow my heart rather than my head. I couldn’t imagine myself working in another field. My love for design grows as every day I learn something new from my triumphs and mistakes.