This is a saying that we’ve all said and heard for most of our lives: When I grow up I want to be a scientist, cowboy, policeman, fireman, doctor, teacher, etc. The list of possibilities is endless to a young imagination. However, once you grow up, do you actually become what you wanted to be when you were younger? I certainly did not as I wanted to be a history or english teacher or work in sports medicine. I also wanted to compete in the Olympics for two sports, Track and Field and Taekwondo. While I got close with the Taekwondo, I didn’t achieve either goal. I currently dream of being an astrophysicist or a voice actor. (Anyone that can help me with the voice acting will be my best friend forever, just saying.) Fortunately for the AV industry, I love helping people communicate and collaborate using technology.

When I was young, STEM programs were not available to me. I liked science and math and I even had a science kit when I was in elementary school, but I had no one to guide/push me into those fields. The idea of knowing what I wanted to be when I grew up was daunting, and I wondered: Why I should limit myself to one thing? So I kept my options open and focused on doing what made me happy. My stumbling into the AV industry was the best career choice ever – yes, you can quote me on that as proof that someone said it. Thirteen years ago, my mind exploded with learning about why resolution mattered, what cables pass what information, and how components work together to make a complete system. I still love learning about new technology and how it can help me and others.

Knowing or not knowing what I wanted to be when I grew up hasn’t stopped me from doing awesome things…I’ve swam with dolphins, I’ve traveled across the world alone multiple times, I’ve comfortably driven on both sides of the road, I speak two languages, etc.

So if you are like me and still do not know what you want to be when you grow up, I recommend that you continue to dream big and don’t limit yourself.