When I first decided to pursue design, it wasn’t the most common path among my friends. Most people around me were going into medicine, engineering, or business. Design felt uncertain. It was creative and exciting, but also unfamiliar to many people I knew, and frankly even myself.
The biggest and most important reason I was able to follow this path was because of my parents. Even when they didn’t fully understand what a career in design could look like, they never once questioned my decision. They supported me through every project, every late night, and every creative idea I wanted to chase. That kind of support made all the difference. It gave me the confidence to keep going, even when things felt unclear.
I was also lucky to have friends who, even if they were on completely different paths, still believed in what I was doing. They never made me feel like my goals were less important or unrealistic. Instead, they were curious, encouraging, and always willing to listen to me talk about my latest project or internship. Having that kind of community around me made the unconventional path feel a lot less lonely.
There were times I doubted myself, especially when I saw my friends following more structured careers. But I realized that choosing something unconventional doesn’t mean you’re lost. It means you’re building your own direction, one that feels right to you.
Looking back now, I’m so glad I trusted my gut. Every experience has shown me that design is more than a creative career. It’s about storytelling, connection, and impact. And I’ll always support anyone who wants to take the leap into something that feels uncertain but true to who they are.