Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest Week 87: My Childhood Dream Profession and My Present Reality

At first it was the mental stress of entering school to study the course that motivated me to rethink my career choice.
So, in my country we write Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination to qualify young secondary school leavers to study their dream course in any University of their choice. Then after which the school then selects the number of students they can carry per session from the top scorers and applicants in each faculty.

After trying unsuccessful twice, the mental strain it put on me made me begin to question if it was really worth it. I think my breaking point was the application and screening process.

When applying online for this screening exercises, it stated that people who scored 200 and above could apply, and thousands of applicants hoping to pursue a career in medicine would keep applying and keep being disappointed year in year out, and soon i later realized that it was the highest scorers who were given admission from the thousands that applied, and scoring high marks couldn't even guarantee being admitted as the school's all have a total number of students they can admit per year into their faculty due to the capacity of their faculty.

What made me feel worse was when i saw people who scored lower than what i scored get admitted into other departments and faculties in the same school while i was busy chasing my dream, it was at this point i asked myself "Esther asides being a doctor what else are you interested in?"
That was not a difficult question to answer,as the answer had always been right infront of me but i just was too blind to see it.

Realizing the joy i had when i was able to teach someone and the understood what i taught them, i knew instantly, that i had found my calling. Then and then i set a limit for myself, telling myself that if i didn't score exactly 310 in the upcoming jamb examination which i was about to write, i would see that as a sign to pursue my new passion and immediately change my course.

The results were released and unfortunately i didn't meet up my expectations, But this time i was no longer sad, but happy to venture into the new path and passion i had found.

Never. I have found joy in being able to mould young minds. As a teacher you learn new skills of teaching everyday, you must follow up with the trends of this new generation,which involves critical thinking,skills and being innovative.
Teachers have a taste of almost every profession. Today you play counselor for this child, tomorrow psychologist,every day presents an opportunity to be something new to each unique learner, even down to being an entertainer just to spice things up a little in the classroom. Being able to pass on the knowledge i have received from my teachers before me to the younger generation has given me nothing but great joy.

Despite being young and new in the profession,the honor i get from students i have taught in the past, and currently am still teaching i would never get anywhere.

A Teacher is one of the first role model a child has. It's no wonder most children love role playing their teachers when given the opportunity , this is because the spend more time in schools with their teachers more than the do at home while growing up. And at such teachers must always be well behaved as their behavior could either positively or negatively affect a child's life.

The was this time a child called out to me and approached me on the road, i turned looking, trying to place the face, the child quickly mentioned her name and her alma mata, which happened to be the first school i did my teaching practice, a got a hug from the child thanking me for the impact i never knew i made in her life.

At that moment i thought even while i felt i was so little i am actually making a difference.
The motto of teachers quickly came into my mind at that moment "A teacher is a mirror"
I had never been so proud of my profession as i was that day.

A wise man once told me "The marketability of a course depends on an individual" , i didn't understand him then but now i know better, you have the opportunity to make the best and most of what you have and succeed excellingly if you want to. Any one can lecture in a classroom but not everyone can be a teacher.

On October 19, 2023 i was inducted into the teaching profession. I must say the teaching profession is indeed a noble profession of which i am opportuned to be part of.

I really appreciate you for reading my professional journey.
I will like to invite:

@bossj23
@nsijoro
@basil20