My part-time job at a nonprofit in Houston changed my major. Has work ever changed your path?

[LarryMertz]

I'm a junior at UH, and I started this part-time job just for the money, you know? I was a business major, planning to go into marketing, do the corporate thing. I found this work-study position at a small nonprofit that helps asylum seekers and refugees get settled in Houston. I thought, "okay, easy office work, I'll answer emails, file some papers, get my paycheck."

Y'all. It wrecked me. In the best way.

I answer phones, and some days I'm talking to someone who just crossed the border, who has nothing, who's asking in broken Spanish or English where to find food, where to find a lawyer, how to not get deported. I'm 20 years old and I'm helping people navigate the most terrifying moment of their lives.

Last week, a mom came in with her two kids. She'd been separated from them at the border for three weeks. She was crying. The kids were crying. And I just sat with them, got them water, found the right person to help. When they left, she hugged me. Actually hugged me.

I went home and stared at my marketing textbooks and thought... I can't. I just can't do that. It feels so meaningless now.

I'm switching my major to public policy or social work. I haven't told my parents yet. They're gonna freak. But this job showed me what actually matters to me.

Has anyone else had a job that completely changed your direction? How did you handle telling your family? I'm nervous but I know it's right.

 

[PeterDD]

The "I was gonna do something else until I actually worked with people" pipeline is REAL.

I was pre-law, planning to be a corporate lawyer. Then I volunteered at a legal aid clinic and realized I didn't want to help corporations, I wanted to help families. Switched to social work. Best decision of my life.

Tell your parents like you told us. With the stories. With the real moments. They'll see this isn't you being flaky—it's you finding your purpose. And honestly, the world needs more people like you who care. We're lucky to have you.