Nought may endure but Mutablilty.
- From Mutability by Percy Bysshe Shelley
From the very first visit I made to the Library of Congress I knew that I wanted to work for there. The historical, political, and cultural significance contained in those buildings is inspiring and every minute detail of the Jefferson Building contains a symbol reflecting our national heritage or homage to other cultures that influenced our Founding Fathers. There are many people in this world who, from a young age, know exactly what they want to do with the rest of their lives and some of them are even fortunate enough to attain those aspirations. For the rest of us, however, our lives tend to be a series of compromises which slow our individual growth and interfere with our professional journey. We can choose to either let these unplanned events defeat us and take over our lives, or we can use the challenges as a springboard to attaining our goals and dreams.
I was the first person in my family to even consider going to college and, growing up, I was always told I would have to win scholarships. Indeed, I worked diligently in high school and received a scholarship from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Unfortunately, I still had to work a full time job while attending classes to cover the remaining costs but it helped me develop exceptional time management skills. My parents were unable to advise me when it came to applications, financial aid, college courses, or even selecting a major. I learned to be self reliant in wading through all the information and bold in seeking out counsel from advisers or professors. I know that everything I have accomplished has come from my own perseverance.
When I was a sophomore in college, my mother's health became a serious cause for concern and the responsibility of her care fell to me. I spent most of that year attending classes, visiting her in the hospital, and working full eight hour shifts at my job. All of my careful planning and effort to go to college seemed as though it would come to naught as I struggled to maintain my grade point average while dealing with these outside problems. Taking a year off from school was one of the hardest choices I've ever had to make. I wanted to pursue my own dreams but could not deny the help my family needed and I knew that my divided attention would cause both to suffer. In time, my mother’s physical health improved and I felt I could return to school. I was determined to complete my education, even though my mother’s ill health had set my personal timeline back a few years.
Upon graduating from UMBC, I found it difficult to get a job with the Federal Government, let alone in my field of study. The economy was slowing down and, without an advanced degree, my future at the Library of Congress was in doubt. I had envisioned a job in Editing, Substitute Teaching, or the Library Sciences, but my first job offer came from the Accounting Department of a custom home builder. It seemed to be the very opposite of my dream job and I was surprised to discover how the analytical skills I developed as an undergraduate dovetailed with the skills I acquired working in Accounting. When that company folded during the housing crisis, I had several months to re-evaluate my professional path and decided that, with my work experience, it was still possible for me to aim for an accounting position at the Library of Congress though not the one originally envisioned.
During the years I was pursuing my Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, it seemed that my life was nothing but compromises – for my family, my full-time job, and my budget. My personal goal of a career with the Library of Congress was pushed further and further away until it seemed almost unattainable. However, life is about change and growing from those changes. Without these challenges we would not have the opportunity to push our individual boundaries and learn all that we are capable of achieving. My life has not taken the path I thought it would, but it has taught me that I have the discipline to make my studies a priority, the strength to make difficult life decisions, and the resilience to accept changes without losing my focus.
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