Career talk

I will soon be moving on to college. Time goes by so fast that I didn’t realize it until representatives of colleges and universities started coming to our school to present what their institutions had to offer. And I knew that this was what the adults had been talking about.

A number of representatives have made their presentations. We had a few scholarship examinations, too. When these representatives entered the room, I instantly became a spectator. I carefully observed how they talked, listened to what they were saying, and made comparisons.

Business is said to be a great course to take because it has been and will still be in demand years from now. This I learned from the representative of an excellent school in Dagupan. I had never thought about taking a business course until I heard this. I asked myself, “Do you think you’ll enjoy being a businesswoman for the rest of your life? Would you rather be an engineer instead? An accountant? A writer?”

It’s not only in school that I listen to career talk; I also do it at home, with my family. Of all the people who are talking me into taking various courses, I pay extra attention to my mother because she knows me more than anyone else and always knows what to say. She’s one of the few people I know who didn’t get to finish college yet are successful. She has mentioned many courses like business, information technology, mass communication, education…

Math is one subject that scares me most. It was difficult for me in high school, and it will get harder in college. It is not one of my strengths, but I am making an effort to be a bit good in it. I have accepted the fact that not all people are gifted with mathematical ability. But I bear in mind that I will never give up on something I want most. I won’t let one subject stop me from getting a college degree.

My parents want me to become a civil engineer. This has made it a lot harder for me to choose, although they say they will be proud no matter what course I take. But what I want more is to achieve their “dream for me.” In the future, I would like to carry a title that would bring honor and pride to my family name.

At the end of the day, I say to myself, it doesn’t matter where I go to college. All that matters is that I enjoy my career and will continue enjoying it throughout my life.

Bernardine F. Almazan, 16, is graduating soon from Mangatarem National High School.