This time is crucial for my fellow Communication Arts students. The decision that you will make by the end of this academic year will determine what you will be for the next years to come and for the rest of your life. May it be in the field of advertising, public relations, or media production; whichever path you take, make sure that you love it so damn much you won’t regret it.
I know you are having a hard time. I am too. We are all in that situation. But for all I know and at my best, I will try to give a few tips that I, myself, have been contemplating on in choosing a course track.
1. Don’t give into peer pressure.
If you are just choosing this course track that you have in your mind right now because most of your friends will be taking it up as well, please stop. Do not give into the call of the majority. It will be fun to be with your friends from the very start until the end of your college years, yes, but the moment that you graduate and face the stressful and cruel industry, you will be standing up on your own. They may be your best buddies, but out there, they are actually your competitors. Do not be afraid to be alone and independent. Who knows, maybe you will discover a lot more about yourself and your hidden capabilities.
Know your skills. Know what you can do. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Are you good with thinking of creating and visualizing ideas that could turn people’s heads? Go with advertising. Are you into films, television shows, and such? Pursue media production. How about relating with people and working with a company to speak and act about its issues? Then public relations is for you. The only one who knows you better is yourself.
3. Make sure that you can last.
This is like a commitment; more like a wedding vow, “For better or for worse.” Sometimes, in sickness and in health, too, if you get unlucky. But despite of that agony, make sure that you can commit until the end. Even if you feel like giving up, make sure that this dream of being successful in this course track is what will keep you going.
4. Practicality = interest
Life is hard especially nowadays without the security of money. Yet, screw being practical! You can always be successful as long as you will love what you are going to do. You will do anything to improve and grow in the industry as long as it suits your interest. What is the sense of easy money if it will burn you out in the end because of so much hate in your career?
You are a few steps away from being the hero of your story. You did not waste your parents’ money and your years in school just to be a coward. Let your guard down and be brave. Be brave to take on the world.
I hope that before this semester ends, you would make up your mind already. The beginning is always the hardest part but I am sure that we will make it until #ULS2017.
