When I first came to college, I was absolutely sure of one thing: I was going to law school and would become an attorney. I declared my major in political science, a field I believed would lay the foundation for my future in law, as it combined my love for debate, research and big-picture thinking.
I started my political science classes with my eye on the prize, thinking that each step I took was bringing me closer to law school. But as freshman year unfolded, I found myself thinking more deeply about what I wanted my career – and life – to look like.
I’ve wanted to be an attorney ever since high school. It was something I was completely dead set on, and I didn’t really entertain any other options. My aunt, who is a successful attorney, has always been a role model to me, and I have had the privilege of watching her navigate her career. Seeing her passion for the law and the impact she makes in her community reinforced my desire to follow in her footsteps.
But as I started hearing more about the competitive and stressful environment of law school, I began to question whether this path was truly my dream or just something I’d always assumed I would do.
I started looking into other fields where I could use my skills and passions, which led me to add a journalism major at the end of my freshman year. This second major started as a “backup plan,” but it quickly became much more. Journalism has introduced me to a different way of using my interests in analysis, writing and storytelling – skills that weren’t so different from those needed in law.
Growing up, my mom has also been a huge influence in my life. With her background in journalism, I have watched her as she has made a successful career for herself, and I have admired how she has used her voice to inform and connect with others. Over time, I realized that the elements of journalism – telling compelling stories, informing the public and making an impact – were things that deeply resonated with me.
As I have explored the journalism field, I have found that I am also drawn to producing video content, a side of the field that allows me to bring stories to life in new, creative ways. I’ve discovered that I love not only writing and talking to people through interviews but also creating narratives in the form of video, which has opened up even more possibilities for my career.
In addition to my academic journey, I’ve also gained practical experience in both fields through internships. I had the opportunity to intern at a business in my hometown where I honed my writing skills and worked on producing video and social media content. I learned the power of storytelling and the thrill of creating content that could inform and engage an audience.
I have also interned at a law firm, where I have been able to observe attorneys in action – whether behind the scenes of a firm or in the courtroom. Watching lawyers handle complex cases and being able to see them in action has given me a clearer understanding of what that life would entail.
These internships have given me a better sense of the realities of both paths, and they’ve helped me develop skills I can apply to whichever direction I choose.
Now, I am a junior and as I approach the latter half of my college experience, I feel more uncertain yet excited about my future. I’m still considering law school, and the path to becoming an attorney is definitely still on the table, but I’m also drawn to the flexibility and creativity that journalism offers.
This dual-major journey has taught me that our paths don’t have to be set in stone and that sometimes, the “backup plan” can turn into something we never knew we’d love. Whether I end up in a courtroom or behind a camera, I’m learning that keeping an open mind might be the best decision I ever made.
I hope this encourages anyone who is struggling with uncertainty to see that our careers are not just destinations – they’re explorations. We don’t always know where the road will take us, and that’s OK. It is the journey, the learning and the growth that matter most.
