Hometown:
Huntington Beach, CA
I came to college thinking I had it all figured out: I'd found my major and thought I knew the career path I wanted. But the more I learned, the more unsure I became. Every new subject, experience, and conversation opened new possibilities. Through exploration, study abroad, and guidance from advisors, I’ve learned that uncertainty isn’t failure, it’s part of the process to success. Now, I have a major I love and I’m still exploring career paths, but BYU’s resources have helped me feel confident moving forward.
Exploration Experience: In high school, I was the kind of student who loved everything. I couldn’t pick a favorite subject because I was genuinely curious about nearly all of them. Late in my senior year, I stumbled across art history videos on YouTube and was captivated by the stories and depth of the images. So, when I started college, I immediately declared art history as my major. But as I moved through my general education classes, every new subject sparked something in me, and I felt like choosing one path meant closing the door to everything else.
That tension led me to take one of the Student Development courses. This opened the door for me to real, intentional exploration. I spent time reading job descriptions, mapping my interests, talking to mentors, and reflecting on what I really wanted, not just what sounded good on paper. I realized I had chosen my major and early career ideas based on the lifestyle they seemed to offer but not on the scope of the work itself. I began looking into various career paths that connected to my major but didn’t limit my career options after graduation. Then, in Fall Semester 2024, I studied abroad in over ten countries, learning about religion and culture. I discovered a hidden passion for people, places, and intentionally designed spaces within the context of history, travel, and diverse cultures. I realized I wasn’t studying art history just because I loved art—I was using it as a lens to understand people and the world.
Now, I’m still exploring where exactly I’ll end up, and that’s okay. But all my guided exploration at BYU has given me the confidence to keep looking with intention. I’m using the rest of my time here to stay curious, connect with mentors and advisors, and take steps forward, even if the path continues to evolve.
Why is Exploring Important to Me? I like to keep in mind that Tolkien said, “Not all those who wander are lost.” Exploring is wandering. It pushes you to question your assumptions and learn about yourself and the world around you. Plus, the more you know, the more prepared you are for every opportunity! And exploration gets you there.
Looking Back: Looking back, I wish I had reached out to speak with more professionals working in the careers I was considering. I thought I would be a bother, but as I started to make connections, I learned that people love to talk about what they love! I also realized that speaking to professionals is not necessarily a commitment to a path, rather it is information gathering and being curious about possibilities. If you see someone living the life you want, ask how they got there!
Favorites:
- Book: One book I always go back to is Ender’s Game.
- Movie: I’m a major movie nerd so this one is hard. But my all-time favorite comfort movie is Howl’s Moving Castle.
- Food: I won’t ever pass up a salmon poké bowl.
- Animal: I have a soft spot for hummingbirds and their tiny but mighty attitude.
- Color: Blue
Does Pineapple Belong on Pizza? Resoundingly, yes. It’s arguably the best way to have pineapple.
Boring Fact About Me: My Wedding song will be “You Snuck Your Way Right into My Heart” by Love Händel.
Hobbies: Reading books, watching movies (e.g. international cinema), surfing, riding my skateboard, playing pick-up soccer, baking or cooking, playing the piano, and writing.