Mariana Lara Jaime’s Journey

Mariana Lara Jaime

Survey of Liberal Studies – 11528

Dr. Ryane. Cheatham

September 9, 2023
 When I was five years old, one of the questions I was always asked was, "What are you

going to be when you grow up?" when I was 15 years old, I was told to get serious about my

future. Now that I am in my 20s, I get looks of judgment when I still do not know the answer to

that question. The truth is that I am more than a job title. I am a woman with values, morals,

skills, and experiences that continue to mold me daily.

When applying to college, I thought I would graduate in four years with my degree in

Nursing, three years even if I worked hard, that was far from the case. Although I was very

disciplined and studied hard, my downfall was my need for more confidence. I was scared to

take classes by myself, so instead of following my program of study plan, I took classes my

friends were in not to be alone. My background was also a factor in my timidness. I was born in

Mexico and came to the United States without knowing any English. I would be pulled out of

classes to be put in special classes. I am a first-generation college student, so it was hard to

navigate the educational system; instead, I was winging it. So, as time went by, I began to lose

motivation. There were multiple times when I had to ask myself if I wanted this or if I was

beating a dead horse. I already had a license in nursing assistance, and there were times when I

had to leave the field because of burnout. Nursing classes were especially hard for me in my

educational path until I was forced to leave the program. I gained new knowledge, expertise, and

skills each time I left and joined another field. These backfalls helped me develop the confidence

and Independence that the nursing field could not give me. I was unaware that liberal studies

focused on this type of development. Augsburg states, "As a student pursuing an

interdisciplinary education, you will develop the following skills: personal reflection,

appreciation for multiple diverse worldviews, critical thinking, writing skills, research skills,
integration skills, creativity skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills. (Augsburg,

2015, p. 8). Using these skills, an individual can succeed in different job fields without majoring

in a specific area of study that only focuses on certain skills. That is when I learned that Liberal

studies perfectly fit me. Using the skills, I have gained throughout this major has given me a

growth I was unaware I could have. When I am given a challenge or an uncomfortable situation,

I am the one who proposes a solution or volunteers to handle the situation. The teenager who

once had to be accompanied had enough confidence to help others in multiple jobs and

environments.

It is strange how we ask children and immature teenagers to commit to one of the most

significant decisions of their lives. When I was a child, I decided to commit to nursing. I enjoyed

helping others, but that is all I knew about the field. I did not know about the abuse, long work

hours, harassment, and unsafe work environments that nurses went through, and although I

respect nurses for all their hard work, I felt uneasy as I imagined myself in their shoes. My

mentality changed. My life changed. According to Levinson's Theory, "But as the realization of

it moves closer, it may or may not measure up to its image. If it does, all is well. Nevertheless,

the image must be replaced or modified if it does not. Thus, in adulthood, plans are made, efforts

follow, and plans are reevaluated. (Levinson, D. 1978). I fell in love with my boyfriend of 5

years, and we married and had a beautiful baby boy. I did not want to be away from my family

for 12 hours a day, especially dealing with everything that nurses face daily. I have had older

friends who have gone through the same pathway I am now on. They are readjusting their goals,

and although it is not what they were looking for, it is suitable for them. I am now looking for

that. This is one of the psychosocial theories. According to theories and models of student

change in college, "Development involves increased emotional freedom from the need for
reassurance and the approval of others as well as greater instrumental independence, the self-

sufficiency evident in individuals' ability to organize their own affairs, solve problems, and make

decision." (Chickering & Reisser, 1993). My failures do not define me. I have learned from my

past discovering how to adapt and modify to my current situation. I have kept ambition, passion,

and professional strive for success. Instead, I have gained more skills and a different mentality.

My professional goals are to help others while having a proper family and work-life balance. I

know I need a job, and I hope to find a job where my skills are used and appreciated while

contributing to society.

I still do not have the answer to "what I want to do when I grow up." However, I know

what I want to be. I want to be a productive member of society, I want to solve problems, I want

to do more than expected of me, and I want to go home feeling proud of any work I have done. I

will be a leader in this world with the right tools and challenges. Majoring in liberal studies

continues to mold me into a leader, not just in a professional setting but as a quality in my

character. I want to be a leader at work, at home, and in everyday life. I can apply what I have

learned (human psychology, problem-solving skills, confidence, failures, and ability to adapt to

circumstances). Having a major in liberal studies has not highlighted my education but my

abilities.
 References

Augsburg, T. (2015). Becoming interdisciplinary: An introduction to interdisciplinary

studies (3rd ed.). [Link]

Levinson, D. (1978). The seasons of a man's life. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.