A Change of Heart

For pretty much everyone in the world, the past 11-12 months have been challenging and eye opening. Being forced to stay inside and social distance has forced us to realize exactly what we need in life. I believe I have had one of the most interesting experiences in the time of COVID.

To start off, I was a senior in high school when COVID first struck Iowa and I lost the last quarter of my senior year. I had to have a socially distanced graduation ceremony and most things were cancelled like prom and my senior dance recital. Then, a few short months later I was a college student living two and a half hours from my parents in the middle of an international pandemic.

I cannot say that my first semester of college was fun or easy. I was able to meet a few new friends but I struggled socially. I did not want to intrude on people’s safety, due to the coronavirus, so I just kept to myself for most of the semester. I never struggled socially in high school because I went to a small school with the same people since kindergarten. Not only did I struggle socially, the academic side of college life was rough.

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be an Interior Designer. I have always enjoyed looking at houses and watching HGTV. Although I know that Interior Design will always be a part of me, the further into the first semester I got, the more I realized that it was not for me. I headed into the long, two month winter break with a lot of reflecting to do.

I realized quickly into the break that I did not want to do Interior Design. My backup plan had always been Political Science but even that did not sound exciting to me. Everything changed in January starting with the insurrection of the United States Capitol Building on January 6th. I was so angry and frustrated with what I was seeing and I knew I needed to be a part of making sure something like that never happened again.

Two weeks later, as I watched Kamala Harris be sworn in as the first female, black, south-Asian Vice President and Joe Biden as President, I felt incredibly emotional. I simultaneously was extremely relieved and inspired but also frustrated with how bad our political climate had become in the last 4-5 years. That day changed my heart forever and I will be grateful for that for as long as I live.

I had never once considered going into Public Relations but on Inauguration Day, that major randomly popped into my head. I knew it was a sign from God that it was what I was meant to do. I could become a Political Advisor so I could still be in politics without having to actually be an elected official. It was PERFECT!

I can honestly say I am happier than I could have ever imagined with this new major. It was an incredibly difficult and emotional decision to switch majors but I am so glad I decided to step outside my comfort zone. I know it will not be an easy path and I will still have to work very hard but I am so excited for my future. I am not at all where I thought I would be five years ago but sometimes that is how life is.

I am continuing on my journey of being authentic, ambitious, and aptly adventurous! :)