What do you want to be when you grow up?
This is probably the most frequently asked question anyone will hear at one point or another in their life. I am sure you have been asked this question at least once, and depending on your age, your answers may have varied from ballet dancer to doctor or anything in between. It is a decision we all will make in our lifetime. The school, job, adulthood, or career path will look different to everyone and how you get to that end is unique.

In the beginning
My career journey was always focused on teaching and helping students. I was fortunate to have received an athletic scholarship to a local community college to begin this next phase of my life and to begin taking my basic pre-requisite classes to start my college career. I soon transferred to the University of South Florida to pursue my education degree. I knew that I wanted to teach at a secondary level, so I chose a subject that I loved and started digging my heels into Social Sciences/History Education classes.
After the first semester, I made a change. I still wanted to teach but changed my focus on what I wanted to teach. I switched to office/technology education. Changing your mind is not a negative step if it is needed to ensure you are doing what you love and learning what you need to follow the career that fits you best.
Upon graduation
After graduating with my BS degree in Office Education, my first serving opportunity was with my own children. My life choices led me to becoming a stay-at-home mom, teaching them life skills and motor skills, and eventually using educational tools to prepare them for the classroom.
Career and career shift
My next career step landed me a position as a technology teacher at a local school. l taught many technology and business classes for 13 years and loved it. However, another career shift began as I took on an entirely new position within that same school as an Administrative Assistant to the high school principal. Reflecting on this move, it was a career change that proved itself to be a steppingstone and preparation for the next steps in my career.
What’s happening now
I am currently an Executive Administrative Specialist at USF in the Center for Career & Professional Development, and continuing my education in pursuing a master’s degree.
Career paths are not always a straight line. It has twists and turns, and sometimes U-turns, to make us the best version of ourselves. I love what I am doing now and believe I am here to have a small part in serving and directing USF students to use all the resources available to find their career path.
