By Ashley Torres
As Google recently announced their latest business expansion in Downtown San Jose, recent college graduates who majored in STEM- science, technology, engineering, and mathematics- have seen this as a career opportunity. However, majoring as a Computer Science major does not guarantee a job position in well-known high tech companies in the Silicon Valley.
The demand for individuals in the STEM field has drastically increased in the following years, which has affected the amount of students pursuing what are considered “unrealistic” careers.
According to The Guardian, “the most popular job among teenagers aged 13 to 14 is an actor, but this falls out of the top ten by the time teenagers reach 17-18 years old.” Aspiring actors are often frowned upon in society because they are seen as delusional for thinking impractically.
The demand for individuals in the STEM field has drastically increased in the following years, which has affected the amount of students pursuing what are considered “unrealistic” careers.
According to The Guardian, “the most popular job among teenagers aged 13 to 14 is an actor, but this falls out of the top ten by the time teenagers reach 17-18 years old.” Aspiring actors are often frowned upon in society because they are seen as delusional for thinking impractically.
“We get too caught up in our daily lives and needing money to live that we forget that we have our big ‘unrealistic’ dreams that we should pursuing instead,” said Maribeth Latimer, a student attending Evergreen Valley College.
The 21-year-old has a passion for music and wishes to pursue a music career, which is something that others see as a game of chance and luck. The field appears as competitive as STEM. It is difficult to be recognized and given an opportunity by record labels, but Latimer believes in herself.
“I’ve always had a huge interest and passion for music,” she said, “[It] has always been there for me through my toughest times, and if I can one day help others get through hard situations with my music, then I know I’ve accomplished my dream.”
Remarks such as, “I don’t think you can do it” or “You’ll struggle financially” are reasons that students discard the thought of becoming a recording artist in order to pursue their parents’ dream of becoming a doctor. In a sense, they are diminishing their dream to please others.
“I believe I can make it in the music industry if I learn to believe in myself more and block out the negativity that comes my way,” she said.
Latimer’s close friends are supportive of her career goals because they ultimately want what’s best for her. However, her family has a different opinion. They do not support her decision in becoming a singer because they want her to have a “job in the medical field, such as a nurse or doctor, just because it pays a lot of money,” but that’s not what makes her happiest.
“I’ve told my parents about this career, but I’m not sure if they know how serious I am in wanting a singing career or if they think of it as a side job or hobby,” she said.
The remarks from her family members deterred Latimer’s dream up until recently because, “I am finally starting to know who I am as person and what I want for myself,” she says.
She found inspiration to continue chasing her dream through her favorite musicians and bands, such as: Little Mix, One Direction, Harry Styles, The 1975, Logic, etc.., because “they believe in themselves and never stopped dreaming no matter what other people would tell them.”
The aspiring singer is on the pursuit of happiness and her first step is to pursue an “unrealistic career,” and if others wish to do the same, then “go for it!’”
“The doubts and negativity will come and go, but just remember who you are and what will make only you happy,” she says.
The 21-year-old has a passion for music and wishes to pursue a music career, which is something that others see as a game of chance and luck. The field appears as competitive as STEM. It is difficult to be recognized and given an opportunity by record labels, but Latimer believes in herself.
“I’ve always had a huge interest and passion for music,” she said, “[It] has always been there for me through my toughest times, and if I can one day help others get through hard situations with my music, then I know I’ve accomplished my dream.”
Remarks such as, “I don’t think you can do it” or “You’ll struggle financially” are reasons that students discard the thought of becoming a recording artist in order to pursue their parents’ dream of becoming a doctor. In a sense, they are diminishing their dream to please others.
“I believe I can make it in the music industry if I learn to believe in myself more and block out the negativity that comes my way,” she said.
Latimer’s close friends are supportive of her career goals because they ultimately want what’s best for her. However, her family has a different opinion. They do not support her decision in becoming a singer because they want her to have a “job in the medical field, such as a nurse or doctor, just because it pays a lot of money,” but that’s not what makes her happiest.
“I’ve told my parents about this career, but I’m not sure if they know how serious I am in wanting a singing career or if they think of it as a side job or hobby,” she said.
The remarks from her family members deterred Latimer’s dream up until recently because, “I am finally starting to know who I am as person and what I want for myself,” she says.
She found inspiration to continue chasing her dream through her favorite musicians and bands, such as: Little Mix, One Direction, Harry Styles, The 1975, Logic, etc.., because “they believe in themselves and never stopped dreaming no matter what other people would tell them.”
The aspiring singer is on the pursuit of happiness and her first step is to pursue an “unrealistic career,” and if others wish to do the same, then “go for it!’”
“The doubts and negativity will come and go, but just remember who you are and what will make only you happy,” she says.