CARRIER v/s JOB : Following Your Passion

CARRIER v/s JOB: Following Your Passion!!!

Miss Wisconsin USA 2017

Having a support system through out one’s life is an often overlooked aspect in one’s success.  Skylar Witte, current Miss Wisconsin USA 2017, has already accomplished a multitude of goals all while attending college.  I had the chance to interview Skylar and go in-depth on how she balances school at UW-Madison, modeling, and her title as Miss Wisconsin.

“School is always going to be a top priority. I worked my entire life to get into the top public university in the State of Wisconsin and that accomplishment will always be paramount to my other personal goals. Pageantry and modeling are simply offshoots of that educational dream. My education helped prepare me to be a strong communicator and speaker both of which have given me opportunities in those two other areas I enjoy”, Witte said.  

Skylar attributes much of her success to her parents, as her father left college at the age of 19 to work full-time in order to support Skylar and her mother.

“His selfless act allowed his young family to survive, but because of it I know the true value of education. He is one of the most successful men I know but he had to work twice as hard to achieve his dreams. My parents have instilled in me the value and importance of a college education”, Witte said.

   Skylar Witte, celebrating the night of being crowned Miss Wisconsin USA 2017. 

Paying for an education can be an obstacle for students, however, Skylar also uses pageantry for the scholarship opportunities involved.  Anyone can have a passion and use it in a positive way towards their education.  Rilee Newell, UW-SP senior majoring in Sociology, has used involvement with ROTC(Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) to better her education.

“I chose to participate in ROTC, initially, to pay for school.  It became a passion of mine through my mom, my brother, and my dad being so proud of me.  Their pride is what gives me passion.  Being a sociology major has paired surprisingly well with ROTC.  I have learned countless theories and concepts about how people act in groups and why.  ROTC has taught me how to be a good leader and has given me more confidence in my education”, Newell said.  

Having a family to support one’s endeavors ultimatley contributes to one’s success.  Vital traits for education as well as other interests can be obtained through experience.

Skylar has been able to harness valuable skill sets throughout her journey with networking in particular, this was proven success when she got a job offer via social media.  By simply being retweeted to sports accounts on Twitter, the Sconnie Company took notice and offered her a modeling position.  Skylar also models for famous designer Mac Duggal, as one of the traveling runway models.

Skylar representing Sconnie, a Wisconsin lifestyle 

Getting the perspective of another pageantry participant who also pursued an education reinforces the concept of gaining valuable skill sets by following a passion.  I was able to interview Jenny White, current nurse for University Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, White partook in pageantry with no prior experience placing in the top 15 in 2012 and 2013, placing in the top 5 in 2014, all while working and pursuing a degree.

“Pageantry helped me learn who I was and what I stood for. This in turn allowed me to be completely confident in myself. Time management was huge in my prep as I was working 40+ hours a week as a pediatric surgical nurse and taking call while getting all my workouts in, doing my own healthy food prep, and practicing for interview/stage presence. I never consulted a personal trainer or nutritionist. I read articles, books, etc. and educated myself so that I could represent my best self on stage. This valuable information and healthy lifestyle will carry me throughout the rest of my life”, White said.  

People choose to pursue their passions, whether that be going to college, being in pageants, or both.  When asked about White’s perspective on one needing an education to be successful she felt the following:

“Absolutely not! There are so many jobs out in the world that require a variety of unique personalities and talents. It takes millions of people to make the world function every day! For example, not everyone wants or can be a nurse, and that’s okay! Thank goodness everyone has different interests and abilities. I know many people who are genuinely happy and successful in life without a college degree”, White said.  

     Skylar Witte, modeling for MacDuggal. 

While people hold different outlooks on education, it can be said experience is what makes a difference for a career or a passion.  I got the insight of Mark Tolstedt, UW-SP Media studies professor and Undergraduate advising coordinator, on his views of education.

“People pursue different things out of intellectual curiosity.  For students who drop out, their success is predicated on their curiosity.  Those people are wanting to learn more, not so much about a profession but wanting answers by exposing oneself to new things and new experiences and follow the curiosity. This can also be done through education.  Experience is helpful for any career, but you do not need a degree to be successful though a degree can exemplify one’s experience and curiosity”, Tolstedt said. 

Everyone has aspirations in life and realizing  we are all versatile, following different paths is what makes life worth living.