I believe in pursuing what you love to do. Growing up with parents who owned their own business specifically in the restaurant industry, grueling hours, dedication, and hard work was always something I was accustomed to. Missed birthday parties, family events, and school concerts were something I always reluctantly accepted, and as I grew older I began to understand that it was a part of the industry.
I grew up in the restaurant, most late nights falling asleep in the empty booths. I was always eager to come to work with my parents, thinking how cool it was what they did for a living. The older I got, the more willing and able I became to work for them.
I have come to appreciate working for my parents in so many different ways. It’s taught me to have a strong work ethic, a thick skin, and to be hospitable to every single person that walks through the door. I’ve also found through the restaurant that I love to work with people, helping guide me towards my future goals.
My parents are passionate and love what they do. It’s inspiring to watch them work, and see how far their business has come over the past two decades. Throughout my life, my parents have supported me in all decisions I make, both good and bad, teaching me that if I pursue what I love and do it with passion, it’s something worth doing.
Many students come to college without a clue of what they want to do after school, hoping to find their passion within the four years of their studies. After switching my major once and building my resume with different internships, I can definitely say that through experience I’ve found what I enjoy doing.
There’s a quote my dad has written on the walls of his office, which is inspiring in new ways every time I read it. It has been on his wall for as long as I can remember and I assume he wrote it to inspire himself as it is written in his own scrappy handwriting. It reads, “What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day in my life for it!”.
Although the quote has faded over the years on the walls of my dad’s office, I know it’s something he tries to live by and I’ve come to adapt this mantra as I’ve entered the work world. I believe in doing what you love, because as simple as it sounds, why exchange a day in your life doing something you dislike?