When I was 11 years old, my life changed when I saw a pig give birth. Not in the positive, awe-inspiring way one would think. It was quite the opposite, actually. Up until that point, I thought for sure that I had wanted to be in the agricultural business. The freedom, the rolling hills, the animals, the outdoors, it was all so enchanting. I was positive that this was the life style for me. My aunt had a farm in Womelsdorf Pennsylvania, and my sister and I would visit her there often. This is what spurred my grandiose dream to become a farmer. My entire life revolved around this ambition. That is, until the day my aunt took my sister and me to see her friend at her pig farm. “It was a very special occasion,” we were told, “that the pigs were giving birth that day”. I was so excited. I had never witnessed anything so raw or miraculous before in my life. I could barely contain myself during the car ride.
When we got there, my sister and I were escorted into the huge pens where the pigs in labor were being kept. The smell hit me when we walked in the door, and almost knocked me over. I remember pulling my shirt collar over my nose and thinking to myself “I can handle this. If I want to be in the agricultural business, I would have to learn how to deal with the unavoidable things, like smells.” My sister was less devoted than I was. She covered her nose and mouth with both hands and immediately began to whine. We marched on. Deeper into the pens we went until we got to the very end where enormous bloated pigs lay on their sides, panting and grunting. My aunt’s friend was in the pen with one of the pigs, kneeling on the grimy concrete floor next to it. I stood right up against the gate, facing the business end of the huge pig. I wasn’t standing there for more than a minute before it happened. My amazement turned to disgust almost instantly. The smell, the slime, the responsibility, I just couldn’t handle it. I wanted to leave—I was heartbroken. For the better part of my young life, I had my heart set on becoming a farmer. It was then, standing in a puddle of amniotic fluid, that I realized I had absolutely no desire to become a farmer. In fact, that was probably the last thing I wanted to do.
From then on, I was more careful with what I set my heart on. I didn’t skip from career to career like most kids did. I went from wanting to be a farmer, to a teacher, with a long period of consideration in between. Through high school, I was exposed to different settings and have gained experiences that have helped develop my wish to teach. Several leadership positions and community service projects have solidified my desire to follow this career path. I believe that teaching is one of the most noble, and important jobs in our culture. I am very passionate about the idea of spending my life educating the youth of our country, and possibly others. If it hadn’t been for my set back 8 years ago, I wouldn’t be as sure of myself. However, because of my pig experience, I am certain that teaching is my one true passion, and I believe that Temple University is the perfect place to help me reach that goal.
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