Unexpected Calling: How Family Adversity Led Me to Discover a Passion for Special Needs Education

As a member of Generation Z entering adulthood, I never imagined that a family crisis would lead me to discover my true calling in the special needs sector. This is the story of how life's challenges opened my eyes to a fulfilling career path I had never considered.

Foundations of Compassion

From an early age, my parents instilled in me the importance of giving back to society. They were my biggest cheerleaders, emphasizing personal growth over mere academic achievements. Through their guidance, I learned the value of kindness and community service. Little did I know how crucial these lessons would become.

Family Crisis as a Catalyst

In 2022, as I prepared to enter university, our family was hit with devastating news: my mother was diagnosed with a serious illness. The impact was immediate and far-reaching:

My mother had to take an extended break from work for treatment and recovery.

To support the family and cover my university fees, my father began driving for Grab, which also allowed him flexibility to accompany my mother to treatments.

Our family faced significant financial stress and emotional turmoil.

We had to ensure constant care for my mother during her debilitating treatments.

A Chance Encounter

During this challenging time, I stumbled upon a sharing session about an internship program with Youths for Autism. It reminded me of a family friend with autism, sparking my curiosity to learn more about the disorder. Initially, I saw this as merely a meaningful way to spend my holidays after my A-level examinations.

The Internship That Changed Everything

I signed up for a six-month internship at Pathlight School, a decision that would profoundly impact my life. As a teaching support intern for primary-level classes, my responsibilities included:

Assisting students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who had higher support needs

Managing classroom behavior

Contributing to various school-wide projects

The experience was intense, unpredictable, and often exhausting. Yet, it was also incredibly rewarding in ways I never expected.

Lessons Learned

This internship opened my eyes to the world of special needs education and the incredible individuals within it. I discovered:

The resilience and unique abilities of students with ASD

The critical importance of specialized education and support

The profound impact educators can have on students' lives

A deep sense of fulfillment in helping others overcome challenges

A New Path Forward

What began as a way to spend my holidays meaningfully has transformed into a potential career path. The challenges my family faced, combined with this eye-opening internship, have reshaped my perspective on what it means to make a difference in the world.

As I move forward in my education and career planning, I now have a newfound appreciation for the special needs sector. This experience has not only broadened my horizons but also given me a sense of purpose I never knew I was missing.

To my fellow Gen Z peers considering career options, I encourage you to explore fields you might not have initially considered. Sometimes, the most rewarding paths are the ones we least expect.

Embracing the Unexpected Path

As I reflect on my journey from a stressed university applicant to a passionate advocate for special needs education, I'm struck by life's unpredictability. What began as a family crisis and a casual internship has blossomed into a potential lifelong calling.

This experience has taught me several valuable lessons:

Embrace the unexpected: Sometimes, our greatest opportunities arise from the most challenging circumstances.

Stay open-minded: I never considered a career in special needs education until I gave it a chance. Keeping an open mind can lead to discovering passions we never knew we had.

Personal growth through adversity: The challenges my family faced, while difficult, ultimately led to my personal and professional growth.

The power of empathy: Working with students with ASD has deepened my capacity for empathy and understanding, skills that are valuable in any career and in life.

Making a difference: There's an indescribable fulfillment in knowing that your work directly improves others' lives.

As I move forward in my studies and career planning, I carry these lessons with me. While I'm not certain where exactly this path will lead, I know that my experiences at Pathlight School have forever changed my perspective on what it means to have a meaningful career.

To my fellow Gen Z peers and anyone considering their future path, I encourage you to:

Volunteer or intern in fields you might not have considered

Be open to learning from every experience, especially the challenging ones

Remember that sometimes, our true calling finds us when we least expect it

My journey from family crisis to discovering a passion for special needs education has shown me that sometimes, life's greatest challenges can lead us to our most rewarding opportunities. As we navigate our careers and lives, let's remain open to the unexpected turns – they just might lead us to where we're meant to be.