Daily writing prompt

What alternative career paths have you considered or are interested in?

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During my junior and senior years of high school, when I just need to fulfill my elective (aka fun) classes requirement, I chose graphic design, which, for a low cost of $15, allowed those classes to count as college credits.

I thought, why not?

When I entered high school in California, my mom had wanted me to be a good girl and graduate high school in 2 years (as opposed to 4). At the time, there was a $2,000 bonus in the state of California. I don’t know where she got the idea but she also wanted me to graduate with an associate degree from college at the same time. Focusing on the dollar sign and ignoring my wants completely (as usual), I was tackling 8 50-minutes long high school class by day and 2 4-credits college classes at night. Thank goodness it only last 4 months.

When we moved to Texas, the bonus had been reduced to $1,000.

However, when we moved to Utah and the bonus had reduced to $0, my mom stopped pushing me to finish high school and finally allowed me to slow down. When I started the junior (11th) year of high school, I was taking senior (12th grade) classes for the core requirement classes – math, English literature, history, and science. The rest of the time was filled with elective (fun) classes.

During the spring of my senior year in high school, it was time for us to choose colleges and our careers. Graphic design was always going to my desired career, even my teachers said so. I only applied to one technical school for a 2-year graphic design associate degree with guarantee job placement.

After a tour of the campus, my mom was unhappy with my choice. She, along with her friend pushed me to attend the University of Utah for a Civil Engineering degree. I ended up wasting 5 years on that degree, racking up over $50,000 in student loan debt, which my mom paid for without my permission. I couldn’t get a job because one look at my appearance and I was rejected because of my height.

I ended up spending another 2 years and around $36,000, which I paid for completely on an accounting degree.

I can’t say I’ve ever thought of accounting as an alternative career path because it never crossed my mind. My life goal has always been to minimize the amount of debt I accumulate, finish school as quick as I can, and start earning. I guess if you are ask me now if I have an alternative career path, I suppose I would like to be a botanist to study plants.