Changing a career field will not be my focus by Christopher

Changing a career field will not be my focus by Christopher - June 2020 Scholarship Essay

When I first read this month’s prompt, I wasn’t sure what to say. I don’t have specific plans for my career yet, and don’t have a solid understanding of most of the fields I’m considering. How could I possibly decide on a big, revolutionary discovery to aim for when I don’t have enough education to know what sort of breakthroughs would be possible in my lifetime? How could I resolve to completely change the organizational structure of my eventual industry when I don’t even know what would make it more efficient?

After a couple days of thinking through these questions, wondering whether to even write this essay, I remembered a lesson from my Speech and Debate class, which helped me realise I was focusing on the wrong things. For that lesson, my debate teacher drew a four-tier pyramid. Each tier was labelled with one thing students commonly focus on, tournament placings at the top followed by speaking skill, habits, and character. My teacher said that when students first join debate, they often focus on tournament placings, which are relatively unimportant achievements that are influenced by many factors outside any one person’s control. As students mature, they move down the pyramid, and focusing on areas where they have more control. The most successful students focus on their character, the area that matters most, and the area where you have the most control. In my own life, I’ve found that when I focus on the lower layers of the pyramid, paying attention to my character and core beliefs, I always feel happier and more successful than when I define my worth by superficial achievements or my skill in certain areas.

After remembering that lesson, I realised I was approaching this prompt wrong. I have no more control over what happens in my career field than I have over who wins a debate tournament. While it’s not bad to work towards large goals, letting those goals define me would be an unhealthy way to live. Instead, I need to step down the pyramid, and focus on my own character and values. Because while the specific career goals I attempt to pursue will depend on my industry and where I’m at in life, my values will remain the same. No matter what happens to my career or life plans, my character will always be under my control.

To answer the prompt, I will bring change to my career field by being true to myself. I will be a life-long learner. I will respect my co-workers and colleagues. I will help others when they need it, and I’ll do my best to maintain good relationships. I will work towards career specific goals, but I won’t let them define who I am. By upholding my values, I will make a positive impact on those around me, and possibly revolutionise my career field.