As a kid, there were times when I dreamt of having a career that focused on the happiness of others rather than myself. I’ve always enjoyed pleasing people and putting smiles on their faces, which denied me of my true happiness. 

I’m known as the comedian of my family because I always make people laugh and have a good time. Before turning into the shyest teenager on earth, I used to create funny skits and perform them for my friends and family. Although putting on a show made others happy, I realized that I was not focusing on myself or making myself happy.

It took me a while to understand what happiness was and how I could benefit from it. But that was until my interaction with children. My grandmother was a babysitter with a house filled with babies. On the weekends, I would wake up at 8:00 a.m. and walk to my grandmother’s house that was only five minutes away. 

While there, I would help her set up the house and clean before the parents dropped their children off for the day. This was one of the most exciting times of the day, because I got to meet a lot of amazing parents that trusted my family with their children. When I was allowed, my grandmother asked me to help her change diapers or make food for the children.

Although it might sound insane, I realized that doing these simple and malodorous activities were things that made me happy. The smell of diapers wasn’t always pleasing to my senses, but I enjoyed watching the little beings grow and see the world from an innocent perspective. I also enjoyed learning simple tasks such as the proper way to change diapers or the amount of formula to put in a bottle. My grandmother had the pleasure of teaching when to know a child is hungry or how to put them to sleep. 

As I grew older, I finally realized that having a career in pediatrics was something I was interested in. By seventh grade, I began volunteering at the local libraries in my neighborhood and spending my summer reading books with children. I made sure to get involved every summer and tried out different activities, such as arts and crafts. I also was involved in my community by volunteering with homeless shelters and my local community garden. 

During my senior year of high school, I took courses that taught me how to communicate with children and how to truly understand them. I was also involved in the preschool at my high school, which taught me the various behaviors of toddlers and how to properly approach them. I went on to join another course called Professional Field Experience (PFE) where I had the pleasure of being a teacher’s assistant and teaching a second grade class. 

I learned how to create lesson plans, grade assignments and instruct lessons. I was also able to teach the students their mathematics, spelling, alphabet sounds and vocabulary. Throughout this experience, I had the pleasure of having one-on-one connections with each student and developing a strong bond.

Completing these courses and actively volunteering taught me more about myself and what I enjoy. These experiences also put me on the right path to my future in pediatrics and made me realize that I’m not only making myself happy, but I’m putting smiles on children’s faces. Although I still have a long way to becoming a pediatric nurse, I believe that I’ve surrounded myself with amazing professors and peers that’ll help me along the way.