Rolando Morales
Managing Editor
Students do not need to have their entire futures mapped out before they graduate, said two-time Olympic medalist and former U.S. public diplomacy ambassador Michelle Kwan Sept. 23 during the Distinguished Lecture Series in the auditorium at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Kwan, who represented the United States in figure skating and later served as a U.S. public diplomacy ambassador, spoke with Student Body President Caroleena Mancilla about her transition from competitive figure skating to diplomacy.
The discussion focused on finding passions, building relationships and recognizing opportunities as students navigate their futures. About 222 students, faculty, alumni and community members attended.
“Be able to discover what you want to do, what interests you, to be able to get the tools that you need to prepare for when you graduate,” Kwan said.
Kwan said she also had to figure out her own path after dedicating much of her life to figure skating.
“I went back to school, and I said, ‘Oh, I don’t know where life will take me, and I have to find something new,’ and I had to figure out my pathway. And that’s where I ended up with diplomacy,” Kwan said. “Another interest of mine was public service, and it took a lot of tries. You have to figure out what you identify as.”
She also reflected on the sacrifices her parents made throughout her skating career. She recalled a time when her father offered her $60 not to skate for the day.
The moment helped Kwan understand the sacrifices her parents were making to support her skating career. What seemed like a simple offer from her father showed Kwan the financial and personal sacrifices her family was making as she pursued figure skating.
Kwan encouraged students to remain true to themselves and navigate their own paths rather than allowing others to determine who they are. She reminded students that one bad day should not be a reason to quit.
She also said everyone has a responsibility to make a difference and inspire others to do good.
Part of navigating that path, Kwan said, is connecting and networking with people who can help students grow and seize opportunities when they arise.
“I think being able to prepare for what can be. For those opportunities that pop up and being prepared to acknowledge that’s an opportunity and to take grasp on that opportunity,” said Kwan. “I think that’s something that I was lucky a few times, being in the right place at the right time. That really happens. But I think at one point, you have to find that network, connect, and discover what you want to know.”
Kwan encourages students to use college as a time to explore their interests and remain open to changing direction.
“Right here is your place of nurturing, a place of being able to make mistakes and navigating and finding a new path,” Kwan said.
For Lorenzo Rodriguez, an exercise science senior, learning from Kwan, who inspires and motivates students to pursue new careers, shows the value of bringing mentors to campus.
“I thought it was very good. I like that the campus makes an effort to bring a lot of these role models and dedicated speakers, because I feel like it’s really good motivation, and them sharing their stories is a good way to inspire students who are about to take that path into a new career,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said Kwan’s experiences made her more relatable and helped him to understand that people’s goals and plans can change over time.
“What stood out to me is her response, how she was saying that over time, like she dedicated so much of her life to figure skating, and it was something that she enjoyed,” he said. “She enjoyed the process of learning and just experiencing it, but also saying that sometimes things change.”
Rodriguez said he also learned that it is okay when things like goals, values, and plans can change in life.
“It’s okay for that to happen, and that good things can still happen when life changes trajectory a little bit,” he said.
His key takeaway was to define his own values and purpose rather than allow outside influences to determine them.
“I guess I should like define my own life,” Rodriguez said. “Define the values that are important to me. Not to let so much external factors give me purpose, but find purpose within myself.”
