South Asian circles often limits its youth to certain industries, I chose to extend beyond that and never look back

By Khushy Vashisht

Growing up, I've heard all the jokes and stereotypes on the long, extensive list of careers that lay ahead of me. Spoiler alert: it wasn't that long.

The running bit transcending generations in South Asian families consists of people going into one of three fields: engineering, medicine and law. I knew I didn't want to be a doctor and I certainly knew being an engineer was not in my fate so ultimately law was the only choice.

Before law school, I had to decide on pursuing an undergraduate degree and had no idea where to turn. After examining the few options I had, I thought to give journalism a try. After all, it combined my love for writing and current events and was only going to be the next four years of my life before I moved onto what was expected for me.

As I entered the journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University, I learned the technicals and nitty gritty of the industry. With each month that passed by, I found myself chasing the rush I would get after live reporting on a protest, appreciating the diverse experiences I'd learn of others and feeling a sense pride with each article I would submit and publish.

I really started to consider pursuing journalism as a career but couldn't shake off what that would mean.

Culturally, Indian families value aspects of job security and stability as career longevity and its financial benefits are valued over whether or not one enjoys the work they do.

Throughout school, from elementary to high school and now university, I've always been academically inclined and excel in the classes I take. My family expected me to capitalize on this and move ahead to a well-paying and well respected position where there were minimal chances of unemployment and struggling financially.

The question that wouldn't leave my mind: Would I be throwing away the years of struggle and work my immigrant parents experienced in this country, leaving behind everything they knew to give us better opportunities, just to pursue something I like?

The guilt was unshakeable. I felt I was dismissing everything my parents did for me and was setting myself up for failure by even deliberating an industry filled with instability, job cuts and notorious low pay.

I did what I do with most big decisions I take — make a pros and cons list (don't know if I'd recommend). While the cons were slightly longer than the pros, there was one positive point to pursuing journalism I couldn't ignore: I would be happy.

I knew what I had to do.

Choosing myself and being individualistic in a communal-based culture was difficult and filled with feelings of shame but my family was supportive after various, serious conversations about my life and what I wanted out of it. Being a Brown woman in a more creative industry is no easy task, I still get questioned about my decisions from extended family, side-eyes from people I haven't spoken to in years and more. But that isn't enough to change my mind nor my heart. I chose what I love to do and that, to me, is one of the bravest things I've ever done.