Finding My Passion Amidst the Pre-professional Hype
The crisp air stung my face as I navigated the post-football game human swarm near Walnut and 38th Street. The energy was still humming with the disappointment of Penn’s loss against Harvard, but amidst the “Huck Farvard” chants and somber conversations, I found myself drawn to a different kind of energy radiating from Gutmann College House. An art fair. Hosted by student group The Signal, theिएf space pulsated with vibrant colors and the quiet buzz of creativity. I immediately felt a shift in my own energy.
A whirlwind of risograph prints, personalized stickers, and ceramic trinkets filled the room. Visitors, fueled by lo-fi sounds and the aroma of freshly ground coffee, discussed art supplies and upcoming creative projects. I was embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit, not withing the confines of a career fair booth, but surrounded by the tangible beauty of artistic expression.
I snagged two prints – a
cardstock booklet featuring delicate silhouettes of pottery against a pastel background and a dorm-room essential: a risograph print of a succulent nestled in a lemonade-inspired pot. These weren’t just aesthetically pleasing; they reminded me of my forgotten passions.
Not unlike others caught in the whirlwind of “What should I be when I grow up?” discussions that dominate the Penn experience. The pressure to secure internships, nail career fairs, and build impressive LinkedIn profiles can stifle a distinct part of the college experience. The Signal reminded me why I encountered these pressures to begin with.
My journey started with a single small flower pot – a simple risograph print, a delicate ode to plant parenthood and an unexpected burst of joy.
The Signal’s mission extends far beyond showcasing student art. It’s a platform that gives voice to diverse artistic voices, highlighting the power of creativity
Christine Cheng, a finance and fine arts student and the artist behind the Pottery-inspired pamphlets, orchestrated the semesterly market-style event. “It’s a fair that connects artists and students, allowing them to share, promote, and sell their करता है,” she explained.
My connection to The Signal went beyond just purchasing art. For Cheng, who led the semester’s fair, it was a way to combat the sometimes stifling
"Penn’s culture is very pre-professional," Cheng pointed out. “There’s always the pressure to talk about your career, your internships.” For many, that pressure fills the mind, crowding out the space for other passions. My Stroll through The Signal’s art fair was a reminder to combat that pressure, to remember the nuanced kid I am.
The Signal reminds us to engage with passions beyond the confines of career goals.
I thought back to the vibrant videos highlighting university life: “Do All Penn Students Think the Same?” And walked past a booth showcasing a collection of handmade jewelry; each piece a miniature embodiment
The semester’s art fair,
Each piece seemed to whisper promises of self-expression, community, and, most importantly, the reminder that
Here, I witnessed a vibrant community bringing passion to life, reminding us that "Academe wasn’t just about securing
To explore and find joy in the unexpected was not just a luxury for later,
My two Fender-themed
It was more than
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How can students navigate the pressure to focus on pre-professional pursuits while also exploring their passions?
## Finding Passion in Unexpected Places
**Interviewer:** Welcome! Today we’re discussing the ways students find their passions amidst the pressures of pre-professional life, inspired by a recent art fair hosted by The Signal at Penn. Let’s start with what drew you to this event.
**Alex Reed:** It was honestly a breath of fresh air. Walking past the post-football game crowd, the energy was palpable, but it felt…heavy with disappointment. Then I stumbled upon The Signal’s art fair, and it was like stepping into another world. The vibrancy, the creativity, it was infectious.
**Interviewer:** So, what was it about this art fair that resonated with you?
**Alex Reed:** It reminded me of the importance of personal expression, something that can get lost in the hustle of internships and career fairs. Surrounding myself with art, talking to the artists, it woke something up in me.
**Interviewer:** Can you elaborate on that?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. It’s easy to get caught up in the “What should I be when I grow up?” conversation that permeates the college experience. We’re constantly bombarded with messages about building impressive resumes and landing dream jobs. Seeing these students putting their passion into tangible creations – risograph prints, ceramics, you name it – was inspiring. It reminded me that success isn’t just about a career path; it’s also about pursuing what brings you joy.
**Interviewer:** That’s a powerful message. Did anything specific at the fair particularly stand out to you?
**Alex Reed:** I picked up a couple of prints – one a delicate silhouette of pottery and another featuring a succulent in a whimsical pot [[1](https://artmeetsentrepreneurship.com/2020/04/20/examples-of-artists-turned-artrepreneurs/) ]. They weren’t just aesthetically pleasing; they reminded me of my own forgotten artistic side. It sparked a desire to rediscover those passions and maybe even explore them further.
**Interviewer:** So, the fair served as a catalyst for self-reflection?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. It reminded me that there’s more to the college experience than just career prep. It’s about exploring our passions, expressing ourselves creatively, and finding joy in the journey, not just the destination.
