I’m not sure if anyone needs to hear this, but I wanted to share my story. This comes from someone who left agency life in marketing to pursue a dream—and a second master’s degree in teaching elementary education. This isn’t one of those influencer success stories where someone quits corporate America, defies all odds, and becomes wildly successful overnight. My story isn’t that—but hopefully, someday, it will be.
Growing up, we all had that vision board in our heads—a constant battle of goals and obstacles shaping our journey. Now, in my early thirties and married, I realize there’s no straight path leading to a finish line that doesn’t actually exist. If anything, the road gets longer, and the obstacles more challenging. But life is all about perspective—you can either run from it or roll with it.
I was a studious kid, always striving to make my parents proud. (Yes, no surprise—I was a people-pleaser.) After high school, I had no idea what I truly wanted to do, but I knew it had to be something creative. I applied to several colleges and was rejected by each one. (Standardized tests were not my strong suit.) But I didn’t let that stop me. Instead, I chose the community college route, working and saving money along the way.
Two and a half years later, I graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Studio Arts. I took a gap year to continue working, then applied to transfer for my bachelor’s degree. The process was exhausting—waitlists, major restrictions—but I ultimately earned a Bachelor’s in Apparel Merchandising and Management. If you’re wondering what happened to my art degree—technically, I wanted to pursue Graphic Design in fashion, so I saw it as a step forward.
During my final year of undergrad, a breakup from a four-and-a-half-year relationship and some encouraging friends pushed me to study abroad in London. That experience changed everything. My internship there helped me realize my true passion (or so I thought at the time): social media and content creation.
But the year I graduated was discouraging. I didn’t have enough experience, and companies weren’t willing to give me any. Looking back at my job application spreadsheets, I applied to nearly 1,000 positions—and got nowhere. That is, until a friend shared an open position at Disney as an Entertainment Costumer. It wasn’t exactly fashion, but it was close enough, so I took it.
During my time at Disney, I seized the opportunity to pursue my Master’s in Marketing with an emphasis on Social Media Marketing through Disney Aspire. I had to be strategic because, at that point, I had no clear direction. Coming from a family of engineers, business owners, and doctors, I knew I didn’t belong in any of those fields. But I did love social media, and marketing was my way in. Within a year, I had earned my Master’s in Marketing and landed a job in agency life.
For several years, I worked in marketing. I initially loved content creation, but as a Social Media Manager, my role became increasingly data-driven, focused on ROI and client metrics. Over time, I lost the creative spark that made me love my work in the first place. It became just a job.
Everyone asks me why I left marketing to become a teacher.
The decision to start over raises eyebrows—why change careers now? But to me, the answer is simple: why not?
We spend so much time following expectations and worrying about what others think. I didn’t want to go through life wondering “what if?” Instead, I wanted to embrace the mindset of “why not?”
Working in marketing exposed me to different industries and clients, allowing me to flex my creativity while diving into strategy and analytics. But something was missing. I wanted a career where passion meets purpose, and that desire led me to education.
As a Senior Social Media Manager, I found fulfillment in more than just marketing strategies—I mentored my team. I encouraged them to question, explore, and pursue their passions, which ultimately led me to discover my own.
Now, sitting here today, reflecting on the past year—leaving my 9-to-5 to start over in a brand-new field—it’s terrifying. I didn’t expect to struggle with my CSETs, delaying my plans just to become a teacher and graduate at 32. I’ve had to remind myself over and over that it’s okay—this is where I want to be, even if it takes me longer than expected.
If my determination doesn’t already prove how much I want to become a teacher, here’s a story that might:
After getting married, an issue with my last name caused my social security records to mismatch, blocking my Certificate of Clearance—a required step to become a teacher. My husband and I spent weeks making calls, sending emails, and trying to resolve it. Finally, we connected with someone at the head office who offered a solution: if I could present my documents in person, they could approve it on the spot. The catch? The office was 7.5 hours away.
That didn’t stop us.
We booked an Airbnb, drove the next morning, arrived in Sacramento in the rain, waited an hour in the office—and finally got the approval. Then, we turned around and drove all the way back home.
That moment felt like a victory, but the challenges kept coming. I’ve now failed my CSETs five times, after countless hours and dedication to studying, missing the passing score by just two to four points. That delay has pushed my plans back an entire year.
“Michelle, why don’t you just give up and go back to marketing?”
Because I didn’t come this far just to come this far.
I will keep pushing through every obstacle thrown my way. This isn’t my happy ending—this is my journey. And despite the financial, emotional, and mental struggles, I know I am meant to be a teacher.
--Being a teacher is so much more than the title holds.
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