I've switched majors six times. I'm about to switch again.
When you grow up with multiple interests and none of them relate to the other, it can be hard to pin down what you want to do with your life. When I first left for collage at the ripe age of 18, I thought that I, for sure, wanted to be an exercise science, pre-physical therapy major. Then I actually started taking classes and the reality set in. The classes were boring and for me, un-engaging. So I switched.
I went from exercise science to social work. My reasoning was that, I could still engage and help people, just in a different way. Those classes however, showed me that working with victims of domestic abuse or with children who had gone through hell and back, was not something I could handle. I remember a discussion with my professor after class one day where I told her, "I would be more likely to punch an abuser in the face than I would be able to keep my cool and remain impartial." She suggested I look for a different career path and I agreed.
This process repeated four more times. I went back to the health sciences but never felt settled. I always felt that if I went after something I was good at, I'd end up homeless and un-employed or that my parents would be massively disappointed because what they wanted and what I wanted were drastically different things.
I recently had a very honest and open discussion with my parents about this. It all started because I was explaining how much I was struggling with my math class. Now, my father raised four girls, all of them, but me, are exceptional at math and science. My sisters understand those two subjects in a way that I never will and because of that, have gone on to have amazing jobs in those fields.
As I was explaining to my father that I couldn't understand how roots work, he asked me, "can't or won't?" That stung. So I read him a problem I was working on to prove to him that it wasn't a matter of "won't" but literal "can't". His reaction allowed us to have the discussion that has needed to happen since I was 18.
We were able to have an honest and open talk about how maybe being in healthcare isn't something I should pursue, based purely on the fact that I struggle so much with math. When he asked if there was anything else I'd be interested in doing, I very hesitantly mentioned experience design. I explained what it was and how it worked and his reply shocked me.
"This is you! You should play to your strengths instead of struggling with your weaknesses." Hearing those words leave my father's mouth gave me such a sense of relief. He has never been one to encourage the creative arts as a viable career choice, leaning more towards "recession-proof jobs" if you will.
Now at the age of 24, I finally know what I want to do and I get to do it with my parent's blessing. They say "third times the charm" but it looks like seventh time is the charm for me.
It may be a hard and scary discussion to have with your parents but if you are really struggling, do it. They may not be happy at first but in the end, all they want is for you to be happy. Have that talk with them, find your path in life, even if it takes you seven major changes to get there.
My father always says, "It's okay if you fall down, as long as you get back up and keep moving forward." So if you're like me and struggling to find your path, it's okay. Just make sure whatever direction you re traveling in, is forward.
