I asked myself and those around me: It’s true that this is a hobby of mine but what if I pursued it as my full-time job? Would society recognize it as a legitimate profession? What exciting role would I play in this line of work? And what if I studied this major abroad? As I pondered these questions, a fiery spark ignited within me.
I crafted a preliminary plan for my post-high school adventures. I’d travel, soak up knowledge, and dive headfirst into different areas of this field.
My plan kicked off during my first and second years of high school, where I was focused on targeting my primary goal while spreading my love for my hobby to the world. I published my work and experiments on social media platforms and built up a massive audience of followers who were just as passionate about my ideas as I am.
In my third year, I met a group of like-minded friends who shared my passion and drive. My individual experiences and hobbies turned into a collaborative endeavor that manifested into creating content that not only spoke to us but to our audience too. We launched a YouTube channel called “Cin3yal” that showcased our short films.
My high school years were the building blocks of who I am today. I learned a ton during this phase and as I dabbled more and more in the movie industry, my passion and interest for it soared higher. However the big question remained: Would this passion alone be enough to dictate my future career path? I wrestled with this question. However, I found an answer to my burning concern: Will I be happy in my future career? Would it bring me happiness in my twenties and for years to come?
It was time I choose my college major and chart the perfect career path for me. The stakes were high and the pressure was on. How do I harness my abilities to build my future? I searched for a major that would allow me to use my talents for the arts and that suited my outstanding academic record. I chose architecture because I considered that both structural design and movies, as art forms, converged at the intersection of innovation. All arts converge at one point or another.
As a matter of fact, I pursued architecture as a career path but continued to unleash my passion for movie making as an extracurricular activity. But this was much harder than I ever could have imagined. Architecture is an incredible field, but my mind just couldn't resist the movie world beyond campus. I needed some support and guidance to help me fully embrace my role as an architect and my purpose as a film making artist.
It finally hit me, after two long years, that this is not where I’m supposed to be. Despite my relentless efforts to persuade myself that I could love my major and learn a profession, I had to face the hard truth. I started exploring different ways to help me make the right decisions and find the factors that would confirm my self-knowledge and my way forward.
After much time spent deliberating, researching, and receiving endless support from family and friends, I finally uncovered my path. I had to take the plunge. But the question was: What is the best way to make this change happen? I found the perfect solution: I will pursue my passion and major in media, radio, and television! This was the ultimate solution that would not only support but also benefit me tremendously at the university level.
My learning journey began to seem less daunting. I discovered skills and knowledge that would launch my career to new heights and made connections with my colleagues who share my passions and interests. The field itself rapidly expanded during my learning years, with society showing a keen interest in its developments. The opportunities became abundant, and I was more confident that this is my destined career path and purpose.
What I used to consider as a major challenge was in fact the solution. It opened a door for me to learn other skills. Not only did I learn photography, but I also discovered a whole new world of skills including writing, directing, and montage. After graduating from university, I put all my new knowledge and talents to the test and worked on a variety of projects, wearing multiple hats as a director of photography, lighting expert, and more.
In early 2023, I wrote the script for a creative campaign for Discover Your Path, where I told my journey of professional self-discovery. My story is similar to the stories of many high school students embarking on their own quests to discover their passions and career paths, with the unwavering support of family and school.
Now, I am finalizing a short movie that I wrote and directed myself and which is set to be shown in international film festivals alongside other projects that I am working on with several other partners for National Day.
With the mighty hand of God and the unwavering support of my family, I was able to discover my true path and pursue my passion. Their encouragement, prayers, and invaluable advice were my constant companions on this journey.
My story is no different than that of many students. If you have a story to tell about how you discovered your career path or changed your major several years in, share it with us at this email. Who knows? The next story posted here might be yours.
Are you a high school student? Join Discover Your Path, a program designed to educate you on discovering your true potential and uncovering your path.
