2 My Unique Path

Inor Wang

I was excited when I received my acceptance letter from UTSA, and before I knew it, the first day of the semester had arrived. On this warm August morning, I drove down UTSA Boulevard, a road I’ve driven hundreds of times in the past. On this first day of class, however, traffic on the road was worse than I had ever seen, and my anxiety began to overpower all my other emotions. I made a wrong turn and ended up at the entrance farthest from my destination. I eventually arrived at a parking lot for students and saw an open parking space, but another driver beat me to it. Then, after waiting for what seemed like hours, I finally found an empty parking space, where I parked in the farthest lot from my first lecture.

I felt intimidated, seeing other students walking to class with determination in their strides. They had a plan and a clear way to execute it, but I didn’t. I didn’t know how to find my lecture hall and I was too afraid to ask anyone for directions. I was afraid of being made fun of, afraid of looking like the ‘new’ kid, and afraid of the unknown. I continued to stress about my situation because, not only was I stepping into the unknown, but I was also late to my first in-person class and excessively sweating, due to exhaustion and heat from the Texas climate. Would people make fun of me for sweating? The unanswered question was constantly on my mind. I was more worried about other people’s views of me when the only view that should have mattered was my own.

Throughout my childhood, my life was structured, and I was expected to follow the path that had been laid out before me. My parents are first-generation immigrants from China and with that came high expectations. They both sacrificed a great deal for my brother and me to live the American dream, which means attending a prestigious university, earning a doctorate, and finding the love of my life. Securing an extremely stable and high-paying job is important for my family. Since my parents weren’t financially stable, they wanted my brother and me to become physicians. For many of us, becoming a doctor or pursuing a career in medicine is not just an expectation but a cultural or family norm, a way to repay our families for their hard work and sacrifice. We are encouraged to excel academically, take on extracurricular activities, and volunteer. While the pressure can be overwhelming at times, it is a testament to our parents’ sacrifices and belief in the American dream.

My older brother attended UChicago and I often heard him talking about the lavish libraries, the fun parties, and his all-around amazing college experience. As I continued my journey through high school, I assumed I would follow in my brother’s footsteps, and I was looking forward to my own college experience. However, the envelope came with unfortunate news, and my dreams of attending UChicago were crushed. I began to isolate myself from my family. Upon reflection, I realized that the dreams of my parents had been crushed, but not my own. I had been all in with their dreams of UChicago, but I didn’t know what I wanted for myself.

I decided that I wanted attend UTSA and major in business. I realized that I didn’t need to become a doctor, but instead, pursue a career in something I believe is a fit for me. I felt a sense of guilt and shame that I was letting my family down for pursuing a different career path, but the truth is, it takes tremendous courage to break free from the expectations of others, not to mention the expectations of our families. I also decided that, once I walked through the door of my first class at UTSA, I would fully commit to making my college experience my own. With that in mind, I stepped out of my comfort zone and volunteered to fill an open management position in my first business class that fall. In my management position, I developed great friendships and learned how be a successful leader. The rewarding experience reinforced my decision to major in business at UTSA.

I have come to realize that the American dream isn’t universal. There are many paths to success, and we should each pursue a career that aligns with our passions and values, not just the expectations of our families. I can tell you that breaking away from family expectations and pursuing a different career is not easy. It was a bold move for me to step away from the path that had been laid before me and form my own, but it was also important for me to embrace uncertainty and grow from it. My advice is to not be afraid to take risks or venture into the unknown because that’s where you’ll discover your true potential. Sure, it can be uncomfortable and scary, but it’s worth it. Embrace the challenges and be willing to learn from them, even if it means making mistakes along the way.