The Dream

We’ve all probably heard that story about the guy who studied for five years just to become a doctor and then on his graduation day handed his graduation certificate and transcript to his parents. In the story, he tells his parents that he never really wanted to become a doctor, he did it just for them. In reality, this happens quite a lot, except many never hand their degrees back to their parents, but end up pursuing the career that was chosen for them. The outcomes are usually mixed. Some end up loving the vocation, others well, its inconclusive also there exist some who end up hating every minute of it but with no way, keep on “hustling to make ends meet.”

Of course, the person funding your education has a very big say on what path you take, but there comes a point along that path where you are alone and the consequences there after are yours to bear. For this reason, there is wisdom in doing a course or pursuing a career that you love and have as your dream. Let me share my own personal experience:

My Story

From as early as the age of 6, I knew I wanted to become an engineer. I received tons and tons of advice along the way, had to adapted an attitude to match my dreams and follow that up with the prerequisite hard work. Many had warned and advised, some doubting, others encouraging. When I completed my A-level’s, I left with a confidence that I would make the cut. And by God’s mercy, I did. I got admitted to University on a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.

It wasn’t long before the going got tough. I went from a high school setting where reading time was defined by preps and almost everything was enforced by administrators, so all I had to do was read when I was told to. Into a university setting where I had full control, and I mean full control, of my schedule. The freedom was great, but a sense of responsibility had to be attained. For me, it was my dream after all, so if I failed, I failed myself. But that wasn’t the really had part.

In high school, it felt like we had exhausted all the concepts there were in the world, but day one of class, we were getting bombarded with totally new concepts. To cut the very long story short, it became clear that what I termed as hard work in high school was just peanuts, to get this degree, I would need to up my game a thousand fold. Along the way, there were times when I asked myself if I really had the energy to pull an “all-nighter”, because I needed one to survive a retake or a few. And there were times when all that kept me going even when all things seemed to be falling all over the place was the knowledge that this was my dream and since it’s what I wanted it, I couldn’t make excuses.

Eventually I graduated, with and it felt great. On graduation day, my mind was clearer than water, no disappointment, no regret. The satisfaction I derived from achieving my childhood dream is awesome for lack of a more appropriate word. Not that my journey has ended in anyway, no, this is probably just the beginning. But that’s one vital item crossed off my bucket list.

There no greater pain than the one that comes with “what if” that is why you should follow your dreams. If at some point life forces you to wake up, at least you tried. Adjust the dream then work towards it, don’t just leave it in your mind.

The Author, AGEET ABRAHAM ONYAIT, is an Electrical Engineer, currently working in the Directorate of Intellectual Property at URSB.