How I chose my profession

Back in high school, 2018, my final senior year I had literally decided to be a nurse, why? Because my mum wanted to see me helping others and she always said that uniform would suit you. So I decided okay let's go into the medical field. But deep within me, I didn't want it because I am that girl who cannot stand blood scenes or even the smell of hospitals but I was ready to get out of my comfort zone so I applied to medical school. Earlier that year my grandpa was hospitalized and I had to go to the hospital every day. This was one of Fiji's maintained hospitals so nothing was that inconvenient. When the nurses used to attend grandpa and change his injected dressings, I used to look at my grandpa and comfort him but inside me, it was all a different feeling. I just wanted to close my eyes and face away. That day I realized this profession isn't for me and I told my dad I am not that brave to be a nurse because I cannot stand the pain. So my mind shifted from nursing to Law. Yes, Law, my Dad's friend is a well-known lawyer so I used to look up to him as my inspiration. Also, my dad was working in the law and order profession but couldn't fulfill his dream to be a lawyer so I thought maybe I can fulfill his dream. So a day came when I had a conversation with my uncle who also turns out to be an advocate by profession and he told me that Shaniya are you sure you wanna do this? my answer was a half-hearted yes because I literally was confused myself. His exact words were ''My dear, do what interests you because this will be your upcoming future and your daily doing". So obviously mind changed and finals came and I enrolled myself in Language Teaching as my major but given an option was Hindi scripture which I never did my whole school life because I studied at an Islamic school and then never did my own Hindi culture so my last and weird combination came as IT. Okay sorted the first semester running smoothly. During literature classes, I wasn't that focused and whenever IT lectures occurred I used to be so attentive fully interested! And in that lecture hall, I realized what I wanna pursue. So yes finally what my heart and mind wanted, To learn and explore Technology and soon enough I secured a job at an IT company during my first uni breaks and I was employed as a part time retail staff from where I saw products I never knew of, new words, innovations, that techy related stuff my interest grew. I dropped my Language and Literature and just did Information Technology securing all those A grades in all of my units. I never felt so proud of myself. From attending classes in the early morning till working late at night my sacrifices, knowledge, and hustle grew day by day. And now I am finally at the final stage of my IT program and now an attache at the same IT company as an IT Technician. Never in my wildest dreams, I thought I'd ever land in this profession yet here I am with no regrets because I love what I'm doing and I love my job because it interests me. So it is never too late to be who you want because you are the one who is going to make your own identity so do what you love and don't be pressurized by the words of others. In another 3 months, I will be a certified IT professional but LEARNING NEVER STOPS! I will be learning and earning every day. Always have faith in yourself and it's okay to be double-minded at times, It's natural because one day eventually you will find out what is meant for you and I am very satisfied with where I am right now in life because my parents are happy and so am I. And a little dream I have, flashback to 2020 we had a company conference whereby awards were given out to each deserved staff and I heard our GM say that new awards will be introduced in line this year and one of them was "Best upcoming technician" and then and there I had decided I will work hard for that because I know my parents will definitely be proud and I will be the happiest and till today That is still in my head and heart. Unfortunately due to covid-19 that has been cancelled but it has given me another year to work hard and prove myself and hopefully I can prove myself worthy for that award but fast forward, Always believe in yourself when no one else does because you are more then what you think!

Love,

Niya