According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about one-third of all undergraduate students change their major. I have many interests and have considered being a chemist, a pilot, a video game developer, an animator, a psychologist, and a nurse. This blog will share my journey of changing career paths and why we, as college students, should normalize this winding path.

The Pilot Dream

In high school, I decided that being a pilot was my dream. I loved the logistics of an airport and figured that piloting might be a good career for me. With my parents' support, I enrolled in a local magnet high school with a private pilot program and went full force. For four years, I studied FAA regulations and prepared for my private pilot written test.

After passing the test, I took to the skies and realized it was stressful. I practiced takeoffs, landings, and talking to air traffic control, but my heart was not in this profession. The charts I had to read, the pilot language I had to learn, and the weather I needed to plan for were all cool, but not personally fulfilling. And that’s okay!

After an emotional discussion with my parents, who drove me to the airport and school, both forty minutes away, I felt regretful about switching paths. However, they said something that stuck with me: They’d rather I change paths than be unhappy. Suddenly, all the hesitation about dropping the profession went away.

A Change of Heart

When I went to college, I initially wanted to be a clinical psychologist. However, I wasn't sure if I wanted to stay in higher education for that long. I wanted to finish college as soon as possible and travel while I was young. To stick to that value, I decided to pursue psychiatric nursing and to double major in psychology and nursing.

While taking my prerequisites for nursing school, I realized I had a passion for psychotherapy. Everything about mental wellness and human connection stuck with me. Even if I took time to travel while I was young, I also wanted to grow old doing something I loved—helping and connecting with others.

So, what did I decide? Well, both! I still love the security and stability that nursing provides, but I also want the opportunity to connect with patients well into the future. Hopefully, I’ll get to pursue graduate school and research while I work as a nurse.

Embracing Your Own Journey

Why is there so much shame associated with changing careers? Many students feel they must commit to one thing due to societal norms or familial expectations. While feeling ashamed or embarrassed about changing paths is normal, it should not stop you from pursuing your passions.

My last piece of advice is not to get too carried away with worrying about the future. It’s important to plan for the future, but it’s also important to take care of yourself and stay in the present. Both can absolutely be true. Good luck with your journey in college, no matter where you end up!

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