There's something about getting a job for what you're going to school for that is just really empowering. I am currently a dance major in college. When I chose to pursue dance in higher education and as a career, my family was a little worried I wouldn't be able to find a job. I am proud to say I have had 2 paid opportunities with dance since the start of 2017, and let me tell you what an amazing feeling that is.

I am still in school, with 2 years to go, and the fact that I have been able to prove to my family and myself that i am good enough to be in this field and to actually make a living off of what I love to do is more of a surreal feeling than anything.

When I used to talk about my first job, it would the lifeguarding gig (that yes I still do during the summer), that I've done since I was 16. Now when I talk about my first job it's about teaching dance and choreographing a musical, and I feel more proud about these 2 accomplishments than anything else I have done.

My first jobs in dance. I can do it. I AM doing it.