With early-action deadlines just passing, and regular decision deadlines fast approaching, it is impossible to escape everyone’s favorite question for seniors: “What’s your major?”
When asked this, I often find myself sandwiched between two options: I could go into a lengthy and confusing explanation with several unrelated tangents, or I could just say the word.
In either exchange, the feeling of impending judgment looms over the conversation to the point where it feels easier just to say “I don’t know yet,” because at least then, I don’t feel the need to justify my passion to someone who has already stopped listening.
My goal post high school and college is to become a teacher. While many people I’ve talked to have been very supportive, there have been several who become very shortsighted as soon as the words “education” or “teaching” are uttered. Because of this, I’ve crafted responses to all of the “Are you sure?”s, and the most common, “You know you won’t make a lot of money, right?”
While I have spent a lot of time wishing that people would refrain from these kinds of statements, I have accepted that they are inevitable and have actually been necessary in figuring out not only my career goals, but also who I am fundamentally as a person.
In a way, the comments have been helpful, as they have forced me to reflect and answer the question of “Why teaching?”
For me, teaching has always provided me with more than anything money can buy. I love the priceless moments I have with the students I tutor that I can’t get anywhere else. For example, whenever I have a session with a third-grader that I tutor, I always end up learning something new myself.
I’ve never played Fortnite in my life; however, my student loves Fortnite. Every time I show up for a session, I can hear the game music playing upstairs, as he begins telling me about how he was so close to a “Victory Royale.” I love these moments because they allow me to have conversations that I would otherwise never have.
We could be doing a phonics review and going over the “sh” sound, when he suddenly makes a connection to Fortnite, as his favorite character skin is called “Fishstick.” The connection helps him understand how to apply consonant digraphs to his own life, sparking another conversation that gives him a break from learning, but provides me with a crash course on all of Fishstick’s abilities.
These kinds of small interactions allow me to make unlikely friendships and learn about new interests, values, and it is a large part of why I want to pursue a career in teaching.
There have been times when other people’s remarks have made me think twice about my career goals; however, the comments have been a helpful and necessary push for me. Since I have had to question my own ambition so many times, my passion for teaching has only been reinforced to the point where I now have zero doubts about what I want to pursue. Answering the pivotal questions of majors and career choices now seems less daunting. I can confidently convey my aspirations and take pride in them.
I don’t think anyone should feel embarrassed about their ambitions, as being passionate about anything is admirable in its own right. However, having doubts is inevitable and also 100% necessary to fully embrace one’s passions. I have no idea where I’ll eventually end up, but I know that wherever I am, I will continue to teach … and potentially start playing Fortnite.
