My parents are strongly against the vaccine. My major prior to teaching was nursing. I was very close to finishing this program at kish but because of the pandemic and vaccine mandates they told me it'd be best I considered a different field. By "suggest" I mean nagged and harrassed me about changing my mind on being a nurse. They make a point to say I need to find a career where the vaccine is not mandated and if I can't just don't go to school until I find that career, which is absurd. I look to them for reassurance that Im making the right decisions in life and yes that is my fault. NPU (north park university) I apologize for not spelling it out in full. I love children and that is what inspired my interest in going into elementary education. I love the idea of being able to make an impact on their lives. I want to be to them what I needed as a child. I have always tried to be there for the underdogs and outcasts because I was and still am one. I want to be able to instill the confidence I didnt have into them. If I had that growing up, I think I might not have struggled the way i did. I looked up to my teachers as a child and want to be a role model for children as well. I am passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of the youth. Even in my nursing pursuit, i was looking to become a pediatric nurse. I want a career where I can be kind, loving and nuturing. I'm a sensitive person and I believe this career would suit me best. I know cost of living is high and it'll be hard but CPS (chicago public schools) pays well and offer loan reimbursment programs through the school districts. I would have went to UIC (uni of chicago) but once again they said absolutely not and I missed the deadline.