The question of "What I wanted to be when I grew up" has lingered in the back of my mind for as long as I can remember. Surrounded by peers who seemed to have their paths mapped out in the fields of CS and STEM, I found myself feeling like an outlier.
Although I'd always valued being myself, this was the first time where that almost felt like a disadvantage. Raised amidst a diverse array of interests—golf, art, dance, and later, journalism, psychology, marketing, and design—I struggled to discern my next step.
However, ironically enough, conversations with peers and parents shed light on my privileged position. While I grappled with choice overload, many young minds around the globe lacked access to resources for exploring their passions. Motivated by a desire to bridge this gap, I embarked on a mission to provide guidance and resources to underprivileged students.
Thus, Career Compass was born—a platform showcasing the journeys of fortunate Saratoga students and offering valuable advice to young aspiring professionals. Starting small, my goal gradually expanded to encompass a community of industry professionals accessible to students nationwide.
Choosing the name "Career Compass" was based off my seeking a concise, alliterative title encapsulating our mission in just two words. With the foundation laid, I set about designing the logo, launching our Instagram, creating our website, and scheduling interviews.
Recognizing the need for support in editing, designing, and managing both Youtube and Instagram, I enlisted the help of my enthusiastic and artistic friend, Jena Lew, who eagerly assumed the role of Career Compass's Marketing Head. Together, we expanded our reach, covering events like West Valley Fair and Career Fair.
As we continued to grow, we welcomed Lilly Nickerson aboard as our Content Coordinator, enhancing our editing capabilities and content curation. Moving forward, we aim to increase exposure through school publications and hope to feature on SHSTV and other media outlets.
Securing Brad from the College and Career Center as our advisor was pivotal, opening doors to collaborations and events like the Career Fair and Speaker Series, where we plan to invite parents and industry professionals to share their career paths. Our reach extends beyond Saratoga, with plans to interview college students from nearby institutions such as West Valley College or De Anza College, challenging stigmas surrounding community colleges.
In navigating Career Compass, I've learned to embrace my diverse interests without succumbing to societal pressures. We're only young once, and I'm grateful for the myriad resources to explore at my disposal, free from the confines of impoverished conditions and the constraints of a predetermined STEM path.
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