Allergies Quote by Colin Powell
“My two Jamaican cousins ... were studying engineering. 'That's where the money is,' Mom advised. ... I was to be an engineering major, despite my allergy to science and math. ... Those who preceded me at CCNY include the polio vaccine discoverer, Dr. Jonas Salk ... and eight Nobel Prize winners. ... In class, I stumbled through math, fumbled through physics, and did reasonably well in, and even enjoyed, geology. All I ever looked forward to was ROTC. Autobiographical comments on his original reason for going to the City College of New York, where he shortly turned to his military career.”
About This Quote
Source Autobiography: City College of New York, 1950s, USA
He pursued engineering despite lack of passion, later shifted to military service, reflecting on family expectations and personal aptitude.
In simple terms: He studied engineering but chose a military career.
Key Takeaway
Follow your true interests, not just expectations.
Themes
career
family expectations
self‑discovery
military service
Mood
reflective
determined
nostalgic
Type
personal
career
When to use this quote
- college decisions
- career planning
- family pressure
- career change
Key Concepts
engineering
military
identity
choice
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly motivates you beyond expectations?
- How can you align passion with practicality?
A Different Perspective
Family pressure can obscure personal strengths.
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