Ch-ch-changes

At the beginning of this semester I started thinking a lot about my future and what exactly I want to do with my life. (Even more so than usual, that is.) It didn't take me long to realize that this was the first time in the past two years I have stopped to think twice about my major, simply because I've never allowed myself to question it.

Teaching was my "safe" major. Sure, I enjoy teaching and working with children. I know it's something I would be good at, and I don't think I would be unhappy if I continued to pursue a major in education. But it's not what I absolutely love. It's not my number one passion in life, and for that reason, I started allowing my mind to explore other options.

The idea of possibly switching my major was only cemented further in my mind at the end of January, when someone from the teacher ed department came to talk to my Educ 201 class one night. She was talking about how the Indiana licensure is changing and if we don't finish our student teaching and graduate by Spring 2013 then we have to start ALL OVER with our field experience and teaching methods classes. Because student teaching takes up an entire semester, that would leave me with only 3 semesters to finish all of my classes for my education major and Spanish and psych minors. In other words, unless I dropped the minors, graduating on time would become an impossibility.

That wouldn't be a huge deal if teaching were my number one priority. But it didn't take long for me to realize... it's not. The one thing I have never doubted in my entire educational career? Spanish. And I really, really love psychology, even if I don't plan on working in the psych field after college. I just couldn't see the logic in giving up the two things I really love, for the one thing that I only kind of love.

Since then, I've met with career counselors and the heads of various colleges at USI. I've spent hours on the computer researching different majors and career options. I've talked to my parents and my closest friends numerous times, asking for input and advice, and they all came through stupendously. (Rachael, if you're reading this- You're the best. I love you, mi bellota.) I've prayed my heart out, asking God for guidance and wisdom to make the right decision.

I finally came to a conclusion and by this past Tuesday, I had met with the heads of the English department and the foreign language department. I finished the required paperwork, got the signatures needed, and turned everything into the Registrar's office. My major is officially changed!

I will now be pursuing a double-major in English (concentration: Rhetoric & Writing) and Spanish. I only need 3 more classes to get a psychology minor, and I may even attempt to go after a minor in business, as well. Who knows? Anything is possible now that I'm not restricted by having to graduate by Spring 2013. And that feels great.

Advertising, communications, public relations, sales, writing, marketing, media... The possibilities for my future career are endless, but I have my sights set on working in the publishing industry. I have always dreamed of being a book editor someday, but just the thought of doing anything related to books, writing, literature, etc. makes me extremely happy. If you've ever heard me talk about my love of literature... I'm sure you understand.

These past 7 weeks have taught me a lot of things about myself and about planning for the future, but the main thing I got out of it is the importance of doing what you love. Don't go after something if you're heart's not in it. Don't worry about money or what other people think you should do. Even if it's a job you think you would be semi-happy doing... who wants to be semi-happy their entire life? Strive for a future that will allow you to be the happiest and healthiest YOU that you can be. If not, what's the point?