TRANSITION FROM STEM TO FASHION
I’m currently a senior at Columbia College Chicago, studying fashion merchandising with a minor in fashion communications. My journey did not start this way; in fact, right after high school, I thought I would pursue a career in the medical field as a genetic specialist, which then turned into a pursuit of becoming a registered nurse. I did not find my way to fashion until 2023, when I got my associate's degree and transferred to the art school to pursue something that I had always wanted to do. It was not linear, but the transition from stem to fashion wasn't easy, but so well worth it.
My journey began during my junior year of high school in biology class, where we studied genetics. That was the first time I felt fully certain about what I wanted to do. I was fascinated by DNA composition, mutations, and the possibilities of research. It was the one subject where I excelled naturally. Alongside biology, band was the other area where I felt committed and engaged. I had been in the band since middle school, playing the flute, and I genuinely loved it. I looked forward to rehearsals and the way it felt to play in harmony with the full ensemble. By senior year, my direction no longer felt clear. I wasn’t sure what a future in music would look like, but majoring in genetics seemed like the more stable option. However, despite a solid GPA, it wasn’t strong enough to attract competitive scholarships, and the cost of a four-year university weighed on me. Community college became the most realistic path, and looking back, it was absolutely the right one for me as a 17-year-old trying to figure out my next steps.
I believe students who, like me, leave high school without a clear sense of direction should consider starting at community college. It gave me the space to learn more about myself, my strengths, my weaknesses, and what I truly cared about—without the financial pressure of a university. The environment was filled with people of different ages and backgrounds, and those perspectives encouraged me to appreciate both my own situation and the various motivations that bring people back to education. However, even as I was learning from others, I began to realize that I didn’t feel at home in my biology program. My classmates seemed confident that they belonged in that field, while I felt increasingly out of place. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it forced me to stop and reassess my path completely. I didn't want to occupy a seat for someone who genuinely wanted it. Eventually, I decided to change my major and take a gap year.
For those who feel unsure about their direction after high school, I strongly encourage considering a gap year. Looking back, I wish I had taken one before starting community college. Even in the midst of a global lockdown, I learned more about myself than I ever expected. I worked my first real job, earned my own money, and made friends outside my high school circle. I finally had the space to explore parts of myself that had been stifled. During this time, I began questioning why I had chosen biology—a decision shaped largely by my parents’ belief that careers in the arts weren’t viable. I also questioned whether I wanted to remain in Minnesota, living what many would call a “normal” life. A pivotal moment came during a conversation with my best friend, who told me she simply wanted a regular life and couldn’t understand why people aim for anything more extraordinary. While I understood her perspective, it made me realize I wanted something different. I didn’t want to settle. I wanted to pursue the passion I had quietly carried for years—fashion.
