Who’s actually following their dreams at Brown?
It takes courage
We are incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to take advantage of the open curriculum at Brown and really explore our passions and dreams. But I am conflicted sometimes – caught between following my dreams and pursuing a degree that I believe will yield the best career prospects.
When I was about 10 years old I wanted to be either a fashion designer or a poet. These dreams were quickly squashed by my parents, who said those careers provided no financial security. Although I had no clue what financial security even meant, suddenly those dreams were not worthy dreams.
As I grew older, I never stopped loving fashion or poetry, but my passions did change. I became very interested in politics and decided I wanted to study International Relations or Political Sciences at university. Again, that was met with some doubt from those around me, who asked, “So what are you going to do with that degree? Do you want to be an ambassador?” I was just as confused this time around as I’d been as a 10-year-old because I honestly didn’t know the answer. What was I going to do with my degree? So I started expressing interest in being involved in government and perhaps one day becoming Secretary of State like Madeleine Albright or Condoleezza Rice. Even then, family members warned me that the political scene was “too dirty” for a woman.
I asked several people on campus about their experience following their passions and dreams.
Alexis Viera ’19, wanted to be an inventor
“When I was younger, I wanted to be an ‘inventor’ because I wanted to be like Benjamin Franklin, but that has definitely changed. Now, I want to be a writer.”
Alexis explained to me how she realized that she had a passion for communication, and was able to truly understand what it took to be an inventor – a whole lot of math and science, which really was not her thing. However, way too often she is told that a career in writing is either unrealistic, unstable or both. She said, “it terrifies the shit out of me,” when I asked how those comments made her feel.
Alexis is concentrating in Literary Arts, which is largely influenced by her passion, but she does feel the need to double concentrate in an area that is more desirable to the job-market.
Alec Fujii ’19, wanted to be a pilot
“My first ever ambition was to become a pilot. Whenever I saw contrails, left by the commercial planes leaving from the close by airport, I always thought it would be so cool to explore the skies using an airplane. However, one day in second grade, someone broke my dream when he told me that you needed perfect vision to become a pilot. At this point in my life, I was already wearing glasses, so I knew immediately that I could never be able to have my dream job. Perhaps if I had better eyes, I would be at flight school.
“My current aspiration is to create robots in order to make a difference in the physical therapy field through mechanical technology. Besides this long-term goal, I like to cook, travel, and swim. Admittedly, each of these things are associated with costs such as my education at Brown. I would like to think that by pursuing these passions I will fulfill my dreams as well as contribute to my future success in tandem.
“During a middle school trip, we were taken to a science museum. Although each exhibition was interesting, the one that attracted my attention most was the robot one. In fact, I remember spending most of the trip with this robot that could catch a ball no matter where you tossed it. Later, I would join a robotics team and eventually my high school team. Therefore, when I was applying to college, I applied as an engineer concentrator.”
Nothando Adu-Gyamfi ’19, wanted to be a doctor
“Growing up, my father always drilled into my head that I would be a medical doctor, but as I realized how many different fields of study there were, I became more interested in things like marketing, advertising and more creative fields. That is why now, I no longer want to be a doctor, but an engineer. It is a compromise for me. Creativity and science.
“There are definitely conflicts between what I want to do and what needs to be done. The reality is, I don’t have anything to fall back on. I need to be economically stable before I can think of pursuing things that interest me. I want to help young women who come from backgrounds similar to mine, and who are not aware of opportunities that exist for them. I also want to do politics because I think there is a lot I can contribute to the political sphere that exists at home [South Africa]. However, sometimes helping others or running for elections does not put food on the table.
“For my concentration, I wanted something that would be both interesting but also something I have an interest in. I have always enjoyed chemistry, and the possibilities in the chemical engineering field are extremely flexible. I could make cosmetics for women of color for example, thus using my skills gained for a greater cause that I believe in, representation of women of color in the cosmetics industry. Although my decision of concentration is based on what career I might be able to pursue, preferably at home rather than here, I also want to study something I have an interest in, because intrinsic motivation needs to be my driving force.”
Though these stories are different, we all can relate to some extent. I could end this by saying, “Go forth and follow your dreams!” but the reality is not so simple. It takes a lot of hard work, self-confidence and courage to do so. So instead, I will say this: be courageous.