When I was younger, I had an immense interest in art—sketching, painting, anything of the sort. Creativity defined me. Canvases and acrylics were my favorite things and the art studio in high school was my sanctuary. Even so, my parents objected to pursuing an art major in college due to “limited career paths” and the subjectivity of the word “art” was too much of a risk for an easy success.
In my junior year at UCLA as a Business economics major, I stumbled upon the first few Bs in my economics and accounting classes. I also failed to attain an internship in the accounting industry at the end of winter quarter. Ever so often the only thoughts that screamed in my head were “maybe this wasn’t right for me”, and “maybe I should have taken art instead”.
Almost convincing myself of the thought, I started looking at art schools. Irrationality got the best of me as I started planning for, for a lack of a better word, Plan B. Only to stumble at the end to realize that I could not afford twice the amount of fees I have paid thus far just to attain another degree in art. The road to art school was closed for me.
Like the snapping of fingers, it occurred to me that there was no time for regret, no way for a plan B. I had to stick to Plan A. Eventually, It happened—a turnaround of things. I was extended a full-time offer in New York. It was almost too good to be true. Now as a Senior, I saw that in the past, something that was once “bound to end in failure” became “a new found beginning”.
Should I have given up, I would never know what I could have achieved. I realized although I am an Economics major, Art has never left my life because it was already a part of me. One day I might start my own business selling handmade accessories and creations like I always wanted. There I was a creator of my own life, utilizing a trait in which I love—creativity. I study Business, but know that I can still have a future in Art. If I had studied Art, I may never have a future in Business.
I do what I do, because I follow my heart, I believe in myself, embrace every new beginning, and create my own pathways—the ones that I never dared to walk. I do what I do because although familiarity is comfortable, my brave new world is creativity, at its best.
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