I’ve lived my entire life rooted in a few core beliefs: Everything happens for a reason, step outside of your comfort zone and don’t spend too much time worrying about things out of your control. Throughout the last year, I learned my most valuable belief of all: To the best of your ability, never say no.
I started off my college career with absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life. First, I was a political science major. Then I loved my microeconomics elective class and next thing I knew, I added economics as a double major. This then led to my decision to pursue business. But through what major? Accounting was too hard. Management was too broad. Marketing seemed too “creative,” but finance was just right. I applied to the School of Business and once I got in, I thought I was exactly where I needed to be.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. At the end of my junior year, I faced a pivotal choice in my college career. After working under the Director of Media for HuskyTHON 2023, I was asked if I would be interested in taking over the role. As much as I wanted to, my gut response was no. The position consisted of photography, videography, video production, WordPress management and TikTok — all things that I was extremely interested in, but didn’t have much experience in. I truly felt that someone else could do a better job. But here came the biggest plot twist of all: I don’t know what overcame me, but by the end of the day, I agreed to apply for the position and got my offer email a few days later.
Flash forward to today. My HuskyTHON 2024 experience was filled with smashed video viewing records and a photography portfolio greater than I ever could’ve imagined. I was a photo producer for The Daily Campus. I’ve created videos for a pending LLC through the University of Connecticut.
A year ago today, I was so sure that I was going to pursue finance for the rest of my life, but now, there is nothing I want to do less. As I graduate from college, I am confident that I want to pursue media and marketing for the rest of my life.
Often, you may be inclined to say no to things because they are intimidating or because you don’t think you are capable. Don’t let that voice take over. I am so beyond grateful that I pushed myself to say “yes” to my first media position, and I have no doubt that my life would be entirely different today if I didn’t. I am forever thankful for pushing myself to accomplish things I never thought I could.
“I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” — David Bowie
My high school yearbook quote stands true as I graduate college as well. Except in high school, I truly had no idea what I was going to do with my life. As I graduate college, I have complete confidence in what I am pursuing and my passion for it. I may still have a lot to figure out as I continue on my job hunt; but at least now I will never say no to an enticing opportunity.