A Gator with Many Hats: Owning My Versatility

In a few months it will be my time to walk the stage, turn the page and close the chapter to my college journey. Once a Gator, always a Gator. When that day comes, it'll be my proudest moment, the generational win my parents have always dreamed of. But once that cap is tossed and the cameras are put away... what next?

The truth, I don't know.

Not in the panicked, "I have no options" way, but in the curious"I want to do everything" way.

Throughout my college experience, I have dipped my toes into writing, producing, editing, photography, social media, graphic design —you name it. And every time I dive into something new, I find myself falling in love with it. The kind of love that makes you obsessed with learning, improving, and perfecting. I don't just want to be a writer, I want to be an editor, producer, photographer, strategist. I want to tell stories in whatever form it takes.

During a career fair, someone asked me, "What do you like to do?". Without hesitation, I responded "What don't I want to do?" I proceeded to tell him about my passions and within 30 seconds, he cut me off to tell me I can't have it all, I must choose one path, otherwise, nobody would want me.

That moment stuck with me.

People often say, “Pick a lane.” They treat passion for multiple skills like it’s a weakness; as if being curious, flexible, and multi-talented makes you unfocused or unworthy. As if being good at many things means you’ll never be great at anything.

To that, I say: I’m not passionate about many things because I’m lost. I’m passionate about many things because I care. I care about the craft, the creativity, and the impact, whether that comes through words, visuals, or sound. I’m not chasing titles; I’m chasing storytelling. If I have the drive to learn and grow across disciplines, why should I be limited to just one?

So when I walk across that stage, shake hands with the dean, and hug my parents at the end, it'll be the beginning of endless opportunities. This Gator will bring skills to a team that values versatility.

Yes, I’ll be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Media Production, Management, and Technology.

And if you ask me, that title says it all.