This essay is one of 35 selected by a panel of judges for “Ambitions Interrupted,” a series from The GroundTruth Project and YouthVoices, its storytelling platform.
Name: Fatima Nicole R. Intal
Age: 17
Dream job: Motivational coach
City, Country: Manila, Philippines
Current job/school: Civil engineering college student
Challenge: The dedication and sacrifice required to achieve this dream
I’m the type of person who lives the simplest of lives, but dreams the scariest of dreams. I am so motivated to do and achieve things that are beyond my limitations, and there is this one thing that really keeps me going: inspiration. Inspiration is what has caused millions of spectacular ideas, great plans and creative movements.
I am so driven, and I have so many plans for my life. Today I’m studying for a profession as a civil engineer at the Technological Institute of the Philippines, but I don’t want to limit myself from dreaming other jobs. I want to be a cook, a teacher, a flight attendant, a preacher and even a prestigious interior designer – and I believe I will be all of those someday.
Our capabilities are endless. We can keep on learning and growing, and the more we do, the more we realize that we really can be whatever we want to be. The biggest problem I have ever experienced, with regards to achieving my dreams, is the lack of inspiration. Every day I witness other people go through this same problem. Our system fails to teach students that even if we receive an education and financial support, the most important element, still, is our ability to be driven and inspired.
And so, my dream job is to be someone that will encourage people – especially young people – to become inspired dreamers. At school, I came up with an idea for a program called “Be Inspired, Be Inspiring,” or the BiBi Program. It would target companies, groups or even individuals as clients, and help them overcome personal issues.
The program would focus on inspiring people so they can be much more efficient in their work and lives. There would be a three-day retreat with different activities (talks, interactive sessions, team-building activities, etc.). I also plan to pursue other activities or events to reach certain communities, and perhaps produce merchandise (like key chains, bag tags, statement shirts, etc.) that will help raise awareness of the program or simply stress the aim of the program itself.
But of course, I cannot do this on my own, so I plan to reach out to certain individuals who may help me to pursue this program. It may be considered volunteer work or become a business venture. Perhaps with the right amount of time, effort, and support, the BiBi Program will start its wave of inspiration.
This story was originally submitted to YouthVoices, a platform powered by The GroundTruth Project that encourages young people to share stories about the issues affecting their generation. Submit your own essays and answer new questions here, or learn more about global youth unemployment with this interactive map.