Stories of love and rejection, triumphs and failures, and key moments on the path to self-acceptance. With the media’s relentless focus on what’s wrong with the modern black woman, readers will share key moments when they realized, as Zora Neale Hurston put it: “I have the nerve to walk my own way, however hard, in my search for reality, rather than climb upon the rattling wagon of wishful illusions.”

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My family never ceases to keep it real. As soon as I posted the news of my major change, the questions proceeded to flock in.  I am a melodramatic blogger/writer. I’ve always been that way. But yes, I truly thought my major change out because it depends on more than my “soul searching” mood of the moment lol.

1. I haven’t particularly decided what I am going to concentrate my doctorate in, so my major changed was not reflective of a graduate program choice. Studying literature sets you up for any program. Business, Law, Journalism, whatever. Every academic program requires analytical reading, so this is a solid foundation for any graduate school program.

2. I am most likely going to have to work my way through graduate school. Therefore, when I apply for jobs in my chosen field of magazine writing, marketing, public relations, etc., my employer needs to feel confidant that I can perform in that industry. Having an Anthropology major forced me to have to explain myself and rely on my past internship work experience to get me the job. Questions such as well aren’t you interested in archeology and digging up bones ALWAYS seemed to surface in my interviews. It got annoying and I realized that was not the brand I needed on my resume. Again, literature is writing, reading, and analyzing based, three skills that are the foundation of any executive position. For an undergraduate degree, I think that having those skills reflective in your major give your employer confidence in your ability in addition to any professional masters or doctorate you may bring to the table.

3. The Comparative Literature program REQUIRES all of its undergraduates to be bilingual before they receive their diplomas. Being bilingual, or even trilingual by the time I’m finished, will prove to be an asset not just in the corporate world but also for applying to any graduate school. We live in a global time, nothing is nation based anymore. Language requirements are a plus in every company and publication’s book, ESPECIALLY, with digital marketing and the internet forcing its presence on the world.

Those are just my three main reasons. RELAX everyone, the blogging is for your entertainment. I didn’t get into NYU for nothing people! lol

I realized over the last few days that as a writer/new blogger I refuse to post space fillers. I haven’t blogged for almost 3 days, but I think that’s okay because you would rather read something that I truly wanted to share versus something I was just using to pass time.

Well to the “juicy” stuff! I’ve finished Hill Harper’s Letters to A Young Sister: DeFine Your Destiny. Why it took me until this morning to get through it after I’ve owned it for over a month is beyond me! The funny thing is that I’m pretty sure I finished it at the right time, and as I explained in “No Experience”, the book probably delivered a well needed message for my ongoing journey in Europe. Hill Harper has an excellent message for all young women. Although I’ve already grown through some of the stages he touches on, it was nice to reflect on the streams I have managed to cross and the rivers/oceans that lie in front of me. Moreover, as I read through the last 90 pages this morning (yes I’m a “G” when it comes to reading lol), I immediately started to reconcoct my recent thoughts about where I wanted to take my career. Like Hill, I feel so fulfilled when I empower people, but I realized that specifically working with young women and inspiring them to be and attain whatever dreams they put their mind to, gives me more satisfaction.

I spoke to my little sister Amber last night (Isn’t she beautiful!!! I LOVE YOU SIS!) and to hear the excitement in her voice about starting her new school in Somerset, NJ and the new friends that she made, truly made me feel even more excited for her future experiences. My mom shot me an email this morning saying how much it truly meant that I called her for her first day of school all the way from London.  What I think most older sisters don’t realize is that your first opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young women starts in your familial circle. My sister has expressed repeated times her desires to be a singer, an actor, a fashion designer, etc. I have made it very clear and I will say it a THOUSAND times if necessary that I will support ANY and ALL of her positive aspirations as the women in my family have done for me despite of what anyone else (family members included!) has to say about my decisions.

I appreciate you being there and I also thank my male supporters because I haven’t forgotten about you!

Peace & Blessings!

Ari