What are you going to be remembered for? Will people talk about the relationships you had with friends and family? The once-a-year dish everyone looked forward to? The impact you made on a company and its employees? How is a legacy created and cultivated, and what can you do to build your own legacy? These are all huge questions with small and critical answers. Here's the story of my legacy, and a few pointers on how to build yours.

*The beginning will have twists and turns.*

I started college wanting to be a doctor. I wanted to help people. After taking a few courses in molecular and cellular biology, I became interested in research. I could be on the cutting edge of technology and information that could change the health and welfare of individuals across the world.

After I graduated, I went to work at nationally recognized university medical center as a biochemistry research assistant. While working there, I felt very far removed from the help that I originally wanted to give. I was only one person and could only do so much. Every set back that I had with my experiments made me feel like I was working for nothing. I thought I would leave this earth without making it any better for anyone. Finding my true place wasn't as simple or clear as I'd hoped it would be. But, I kept moving forward in search of my calling.

*Start looking for your calling immediately.*

Looking back, I would recommend starting the search for your true place now. What are you waiting for? You should be thinking about it as you're making choices for colleges or your career path. I personally didn’t realize the importance of reflecting on my legacy until I had children and realized that I needed to do something to make this world a better place for them to live. The sooner you realize your goals, the more time you have to make them happen. Find something to strive for and begin to plan ways to make it happen. Without purpose life feels meaningless and tasks feel daunting. Find the things that you are passionate about, and dive into how you can create a legacy while doing what you love.

*My work is a part of my legacy*.

As a teacher, I'm influencing and helping to shape 92 youth each day, every semester. I try to instill in them the love for science that I have. These kids can learn and benefit from my first-hand experience in the professional world and my continuing excitement for the field. If that love and enthusiasm catches on for my students, they will then begin to think about how they could make an impact on the world through a career in science, research or technology. These young students will do more work towards positively influencing and helping people than I could have ever done as a single researcher.

*Find a profession that will help you to build your legacy. *

Teaching is such a rewarding profession when it comes to leaving a lasting legacy. I have the opportunity to work with many of my former teachers, and I love seeing the happiness in their eyes when I tell them how much they influenced and shaped me as an individual and professional. I love telling
them my memories of interactions we had years ago. A smile or a “Good morning!” when I was having a bad day, the praise I received after writing a good paper, and their remarks on how my dedication made a difference in a class. Now, I’m excited to see what my students can become and what they
will remember in years to come about how our interactions positively influenced their own lives.

I believe that any public service job has the potential to aid in leaving a legacy. It's all about how you treat people. Kindness, compassion, and understanding go a long way in any field of work. You can strive for specific legacies, but along the way you can leave another legacy — one of caring.

*Remember what a true legacy is about.*

A lot of people aren’t aware of the legacy that they're leaving. If there's a point where you ask yourself, “What am I doing with my life?” or “What are people going to remember me for?” then you need to reevaluate things. At this point, you must begin to create goals for the type of life you want and the type of life you want to be remembered for. While I found my legacy
through teaching, always remember that you can also leave the world a better place by being positive, kind, and caring. Every interaction you have has the potential of building part of your legacy. Remember this, and cherish the opportunity.