One Student Shares How She Found Her True Path by Changing Her Major at Rowan University
Meghan Tynan, a senior advertising and public relations double major from West Caldwell, NJ (Essex County) shares her personal journey of self-discovery, leaving her childhood dream behind and embracing a newfound passion.
Miss Tynan, a dream I had since I was 5 years old. Growing up I had a classroom set up in my basement and every day I would go downstairs and play teacher. I dreamed of having a classroom with my own students when I grew up. Flash forward 14 years later when it was time to decide on a college, I knew I wanted to go in as an elementary education major and decided to come to Rowan University since I heard it had a good teaching program. I went through freshman year taking teaching classes feeling like I was enjoying what I was doing but definitely feeling some doubt. I joined a sorority on campus which allowed me to come out of my shell and experience new things. I took the position of public relations in my sorority (which meant I ran the sorority’s Instagram account.) I immediately fell in love with what I was doing. I loved making advertisements and trying to find ways to build our following. This led me to second guess teaching.
I had this idea of being a teacher forever, I was comfortable with it and it is what I’ve always said when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. When I was talking with my parents about changing my major from teaching to PR and advertising they were shocked. They couldn’t understand why I was giving up on my dream. This is what I told them, “When you ask a kid what they want to be when they grow up they say things like an astronaut, princess, police officer, firefighter etc. but a majority of the time they never actually end up being that.” I understood for them that this seemed like a crazy change since I said I wanted to be my teacher most of my life. However, eventually they understood where I was coming from and they saw that I grew up and found something that interested me more than what my 5 year old self wanted to be. They now tell me how proud they are of me for figuring out what I want to do to make me happy and that I made a change that was scary but good.
When I made this decision I talked with my academic advisor who went over our appointment time to validate my decisions and assist me with all the questions/feelings I was going through. I decided to take a leap of faith and officially change, something horrifying but also so exciting. Now, just finishing my first semester taking classes for my new major I can confidently say I made the right decision. I have never been so engaged in class and interested in what I was learning. Going to college is one of the most challenging things I’ve had to do because I was so scared of change and the thought of changing so many things in my life was really scary. However, now I am so confident with my decision and I am forever grateful to not only my sorority but Rowan for giving me so many amazing opportunities and a space to find who I truly am.
Like what you see?
Written by: Meghan Tynan, senior advertising and public relations double major
Story edited by: Valentina Giannattasio, junior dance and marketing double major
