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Column: “What are you going to be for Halloween? And for the rest of your life?”

Picture of Audrey Garcia via Audrey Garcia

Before coming back for another school year at Bradley, my mom asked my siblings and I where we see ourselves in the future. I remember not having an answer, saying that the future is too unpredictable. 

When saying our goodbyes before classes started, she told me to find some sort of answer to what I want to do in the future.

Now, in the midst of the semester, where both Halloween and bigger projects emerge along with getting schedules for next semester, it’s hard to say where I stand. Besides doing this column for The Scout and hoping that I get accepted into courses to finish my degree, it’s difficult to see what lies ahead. 

Right now, I’m more worried about completing my coding/gaming projects to my satisfaction rather than what type of job I land after school, if I’m lucky.

I never knew I would end up being part of something bigger than myself, presenting in front of clients for user design classes, being part of FUSE in the interactive media department doing an exhibit and who knows what else might be next. There are more classes I will be a part of and more people I might come across.

Just last year, I created many impressive pieces to include in my portfolio. I’ve made a 3D model and a prototype of a textbook that uses augmented reality. I’ve gotten an Outstanding Student in Drawing award and filled my portfolio with animation works I’ve done before coming here. I have more to put in after this semester alone.

And yet, I still don’t know what I want to do with my life.

Undeniably, I’m an artistic person. Most of the things that I’m involved in are artistic projects or design roles. But what type of future will that land me?

With the ever-growing worry about the future, especially with the seemingly dystopian future in the arts, it’s hard to say. Sure, I can easily land a job in UX design for the next big company or two, but is that really all there is in life?

I don’t know where I’m going to end up, job-wise at least. Will I end up working for a company? Will I find myself freelancing? Will I ever be brave enough to pursue my passion projects and share them, or will I put it off for one more day? 

Who knows.

We have to take it one day at a time. If work gets too tiring, take a break. If a project feels too static, do something new for a bit – it might be something that is needed in the end. If there is an opportunity to do something passionate, take it. Who knows what will happen tomorrow, or if that chance will ever happen again.

So, as the days get shorter, the weather gets colder and the classes get harder, let’s try to relax. Whether you put on a costume or a blanket, today is a present that we should savor.

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