Read about CCD Student Associate Charlee Rae Bender, and her 2018 summer experience!

It seems counterintuitive, but there is a certain peace that comes with uncertainty- especially in those moments where all the plans you set up for yourself change without warning.

This is a lesson I wasn’t forced to learn until this past summer living alone in New York City.

At the end of May, I had managed to secure an internship working for a Production and Public Relations firm located just north of the financial district in New York City. I didn’t know anyone, but I knew living on my own would not only provide valuable lessons in independence, but also meaningful work experience.

I landed in LaGuardia with Law School on my mind and Elle Woods as my professional role model. However, I found my plans and interests having radically shifted by the time I left.

Within a week, I was nestled in one of the skyscrapers of Times Square at 6:30 a.m. managing four phone lines, connecting our spokesperson to various news stations and figuring out how to put our camera’s picture up on satellite. The fast-paced energy on studio days was something I immediately loved. I was in awe of the caliber of work the studio managers, technical crew and camera men produced, while living a life untethered to a desk.

With each studio visit and every bit of exposure to the broadcasting and entertainment industry, I knew this was it. I had actual hands-on experience that confirmed my newfound passion and further encouraged me to pursue this path.

Each and every person with whom I worked had a different story and different journey to get to the same place. This meant that for the first time in my life, I had no exact steps I could follow that would bring me to my goal. It would take slow, incremental change and a lot of patience to build towards this new career path.

It wasn’t long before obstacles began to arise. How was I supposed to pursue journalism, broadcasting, production, directing and acting all at once? How would a Philosophy major get me there? What if I wanted to keep Law School as a viable option? These questions were paralyzing and halted any and all progress.

I needed to take a step back and re-focus my scope.

I was so narrowed in on what I envisioned ultimate success to be that I lost sight of what was in front of me. It was time to slow down and appreciate the opportunities as they came. I needed to trust and have faith in my own instincts when they told me this journey would slowly unfold as long as I was dedicated and committed to the pursuit.

If you take nothing else from this- please know that the plans to which you may have been committed are worth foregoing if you find yourself losing interest- even if the other option does not provide the same sense of security and requires working harder to get there. Davidson is type of place that allows for and supports this journey of slowly discerning passions and interests- so take advantage of the time and resources while they are available.