Adapted from a keynote given at The Summit: Syracuse University Into the Future—Future in Focus. Part of the celebration of J. Michael Haynie’s inauguration as the 13th Chancellor and President of Syracuse University on Sept. 18, 2026.
Have you ever completely changed your mind about something you were once sure of? Turns out, it is a pretty common experience.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 1 in 3 college students change their major within their first three years. And I am one of those students. Many of my peers are still surprised to hear that I started in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Since I am in the School of Education now, most people assume I left engineering because it was too hard, but that was never the reason.
Before my freshman year, I was almost certain that I would pursue an aerospace engineering degree and one day work for NASA. Back when I was in fifth grade, while other kids my age were watching “Teen Titans Go,” I was researching NASA’s Orion spacecraft, and I even submitted a name suggestion for the Martian helicopter “Ingenuity”. (And even though my submission did not win, I still like to take partial credit for it.)
On top of that, my friends, teachers, mentors, and family saw me as a future engineer and greatly supported me. Despite having a strong interest in space exploration, I also developed a passion for mentorship and working with children through my experiences at a summer camp. My gut was telling me to act on that passion, but I was not sure about making a switch until one moment.
That moment came during an icebreaker in my second ECS 101 lecture, where we each did a short “about me” presentation. I decided to share my heritage, Long Island upbringing, love for music, and passion for my time at camp. After presenting, my professor was impressed, but he was also confused. He said, “That was an awesome presentation, but I noticed there was not a single thing in it that related to engineering. So, I’m wondering, why the hell are you in engineering, anyway?”
I froze. He was right, and I had not even noticed it myself. I had reached a point of total uncertainty about what I wanted out of my college experience. My gut was strong, pulling me toward education. My mind, on the other hand, was not ready to let go of engineering, worried about what others would say. So, I did what I always do when I am unsure: I started researching.
I met with advisors in SOE to learn more about the dual major in Inclusive Adolescent Education and Mathematics. I will never forget the advice one advisor gave me: “If you’re sure of this switch, then go for it. You will experience pushback, either from family or others.” Ultimately, he was right. But I was not afraid.
After that conversation, I signed the paperwork to make the transfer official. Despite my plans shifting, one thing stayed the same: I was determined to make the most of my time here, especially outside the classroom. From leading the Muslim Students Association to student teaching in Syracuse and New York City classrooms, playing for the orchestra, and working on two research teams, I have taken advantage of everything Syracuse University has to offer.
And a study abroad trip to Italy my sophomore year pointed me to what would become my honors thesis: a comparative education research project with a focus on Italy and the US.
At the end of the day, my college journey taught me something important: uncertainty is not a sign that something is wrong; rather, it is a nudge toward self-reflection. The moment I trusted my gut and stopped fighting my doubts, everything else started to fall into place.
Looking back, what I originally wanted out of my college experience was a degree I would genuinely enjoy, and a busy life outside the classroom. I think it is safe to say I got both—and with flying colors. And none of that would have happened without being at the right place, at the right time.
Syracuse gave me the room to work through my uncertainty—through advisors who listened, programs that let me explore, and a community that gave me a sense of belonging. That kind of support is unique to this incredible institution, and it made all the difference in my journey.
If you have some uncertainty of your own right now, don’t panic! It might just be pointing you somewhere better. For me right now, that place is New York City, where I to continue to navigate the uncertainties of a middle school classroom.
Learn more about the B.S. in Inclusive Adolescent Education or contact SOE Admissions at soeadmissions@syr.edu.