Notes: Part 1
Ever since I walked the commencement in 2013 at CenturyLink Field, I have left the world of being an undergraduate, I have also left behind my urge to voice my opinions about politics and current affairs. But lately, I am feeling that energy again. Everyday I contemplate why my career goals have shifted so much.
Then I realized I was (and probably still am) going for something that doesn't necessarily ignite the same passions as political economy did. I have always wanted to focus on policy work. Despite the lack of experiences I have, I still have enough under my belt to make me aware of the rights and wrongs (and grey areas) in modern day society. I wanted to get into the tech industry because it meant job stability. However, I have also realized that it might not be something I want to be doing in the long term. The reason I started exploring human-centered design is because I am empathetic in nature. I want to find ways to help people. Inequality strikes me as hundreds of tiny needles fighting their way into my skin.
“The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.”
This time, I am trying to give myself enough time to get ready for what's ahead for me. I don't know what is in store for me but I know if I keep doing things I am passionate about, I will find a career that truly entices me and ropes me in. I wasn't very happy when I was working as a developer because I felt like I was falling behind. But at the same time, the gratification I get from able to solve problems was the main driving factor for me and is what really kept me going. I am still doing self-studying and trying to enjoy life as much as possible.
Being a 26-year old female trying to enter the tech industry really isn't easy. Sometimes I hate to draw parallels between not finding a job due to me being a woman and gender inequality in society. I am trying to not think of things that way but sometimes I do find myself receiving a lot of backlash and negative comments about how I stand. Also, harsh realities are always a slap in the face. But I'll keep swimming upstream despite the harsh currents I face (almost too corny of a metaphor for me to typing out right now). I want to prove everything else wrong and of course, in the end prove the negative voices in my head wrong.
Motivational quotes won't magically make things better, but at least you know that there is someone else out there that's feeling the same way and that alone, gives me the energy to keep myself going.