Personal Narrative: Criminal Minds

The summer before fifth grade, I knew what I wanted to do when I grow up. Now, I didn't have all the details of how I would get there or if I will ever get to that point, but I was optimistic that I would one day be part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). I know some may ask how could I possibly know what I wanted to do with the rest of my life at ten years old, but I knew that it something that I was interested in. Throughout the years, that dream has never changed. It was hot and humid afternoon in July, and I had just come home from a long day in summer school. I threw my pink floral backpack on the floor next to the couch and went to the kitchen to grab a cold water cold. I had been irritated that day because the heat made my
body feel uncomfortable. However, I was fortunate enough to have A/C inside the house. All I wanted to do was come home, put my feet up on the coffee table and watch TV. My mom was home that day, which was rare because she was always working that 8-5 p.m. shift. For the last 20 years, my mom has been working as a clerk for the Los Angeles County Probation Department. On regular days, I'll be over my grandmother's house with my brother since both our parents work. But that day, my mom decided to take the day off because my grandma had a doctor's appointment in the morning and there was no one to take care of us. My mom was in the kitchen making ham and cheese sandwiches with green apple slices for lunch while my little brother was in his room playing his Hot Wheels toys. I collapsed on the couch and reached for the remote control to try to look for something to watch. As I was flipping through the channels, the TV show, Criminal Minds, caught my attention.
If you don't know about Criminal Minds, it's a high intense show about the FBI's elite team of profilers that try to analyze the minds of criminals to stop their next move. Now, I know that this show is not meant for an elementary school kid, but it was something that I have never seen before. This show mimicked the lives of FBI agents on how they live dangerously and risk themselves to save people. I remember thinking "that's exactly what I want to do when I grow up." No one on either side of my family has a career that resemblances that so, I also wanted to be the first person to do so. A couple of minutes later, my mom comes into the living room carrying our ham and cheese sandwiches with the green apple slices and sits down right next to
me. "What are you watching, Mija?" my mom asked. "This show called Criminal Minds. It was on." I said. "Oh! I heard about this show. People from work talk about it all the time. I heard it's good." My mom explained. "I think they use real-life cases." "Really? This happened in real life? Oh my god, that's crazy" I exclaimed. To our surprise, CBS was having a Criminal Minds marathon. We sat down quietly and ate our snacks while we watch a few more episodes before I had to get ready to go to soccer practice. Throughout the whole show, I was intrigued about what will happen next. "Oh wow, this show is so cool mom! That's what I want to be when I grow up, just like them" I exclaimed. "To be part of the FBI?" my mom said. "Yes, do you see the way they catch those bad guys? That's so cool!" I replied. My mom laughed as she picked up our plates and took them to the kitchen. We turned off the TV because I had to get ready for practice. I went inside my room to put on my shin guards and my cleats, and then we headed to soccer practice. In the car ride, my mom did not mention my sudden aspiration of becoming a federal agent anymore. But to her defense, I was only 10- years old and also, we were running a couple of minutes late. A couple of years went by until I made another comment about my goals of becoming a federal agent.
I was in middle school, 7th grade to be exact, and like almost every middle schooler, I worried about not being late to class and what to wear for the upcoming school dance. I was still a devoted Criminals Minds fan, but, I also became a fan of more crime TV shows such as CSI and Dateline NBC. My mom also likes to watch these shows with me so; we made it a mother-daughter tradition to watch Dateline NBC on Friday nights. The weekends were dedicated for quality family time. There was one night during one of our family outings; we decided to stop in a Yum-Yum Donuts shop to grab some glazed donuts since there are our favorites. "You know, I think I want to be a police officer or something because I bet they get free donuts," I mumbled as I bit into my glaze donut. "To get free donuts? That's the reason why? Wow, that sounds like a legitimated reason." My dad chuckled. "I'm serious! Imagine walking into a donut shop and the cashier giving you a free donut just because you're a cop!" "Oh, I get it! It's because cops are always drinking coffee and eating donuts, huh." My mom chimed
in. My mom proceeded to tell us about when she was younger; she always wanted to be part of the criminal justice system, either as a lawyer or a federal agent. But unfortunately, that did not happen because she got pregnant right after high school and she did not have the means or time to go college. We were all intrigued by my mom's story because she has never shared that with her. At that moment, I convinced myself that the longing of wanting to be a federal agent must run in the family since both me and my mom wanted to do that. I remember thinking that if I did ever become an agent, I would make my mom proud. "Don't give up on that idea, okay Babycakes," my mom advised, "It will be such an incredible job opportunity." And she was right because working for the federal government is the highest place I could work. My mom's approval and support were the motivation I needed to continue pursuing this dream to work for the FBI. Not a lot of parents would have supported their children to risk their lives to be a federal agent, but luckily, my parents did. Throughout high school, I continue to watch Criminal Minds and Dateline NBC and proudly claim that I was their number one fan. After all these years, I was still fascinated with the idea that one day I could become an agent or a detective or a police officer. But to be honest, as I grew up, I became more anxious and determined to be my family's protector. They are and will always be my number one priority because, thanks to them, I'm a lot closer to going into that criminal justice field. Growing up, I had a fear that something terrible could happen to them since those types of things are unpredictable. So, I was determined to take one step closer to my career goal by going to college and getting a degree in criminal justice. Fast forward to the future; I am now a senior in high school who is applying for colleges. My goal was to attend my dream school, San Diego State University, and study criminal justice. However, I still needed to explore other options just in case that dream didn't work out. Although I was a 4.0 honor student, I applied to 7 different universities due to the fear I was not going to be accepted anywhere. I was stoked when my acceptance letter from SDSU came in the mail. I couldn't believe that my plans were falling into place. I ran to my parents and announced that I was going to SDSU in the Fall. I have never seen both my parents cry for joy as their daughter was about to be a first-generation college student who is studying criminal justice. Until this day, I take great pleasure when people ask me what is my career goal as I proudly respond that I am going to be an FBI agent in the Behavioral Analysis Unit. Throughout my life, I did not comprehend how those events were a crucial turning point into my career decision-making. I was only 10-years old when first announced what I wanted to be as an adult. At the age, many kids would dream of becoming an actress or a singer but not a federal agent. My mother had always claimed that I was wise beyond my years because I have a sense of direction in life. Reflecting back to those moments, I've noticed that my parents have been encouraging and supportive of my dream career. They never once questioned or criticized my ability to reach that level. Instead, they made me feel invincible. They are the reason why I strive to be successful in school and career wise. There are several moments when I do feel discouraged that I will not make it to FBI because either school has become unbearably stressful or I underestimate my abilities to reach that dream. But one thing that I did learn is that with the trust and support of your loved one, no dream is unreachable or impossible. I may still be little ways off of actually becoming an FBI agent. However, I am a lot closer than I was at ten years old. I suggest to never give up on those high fetch dreams because one never knows what the future could hold. It's never too early or too late to make those life changing decisions.