Environment can play a huge role when it comes to what you believe you can do with your life. In the movie Rudy, his family belittles and pokes fun at his dream to play football for Notre Dame. His peers are often torn between support of his passion and derisiveness as to how single-minded Rudy is when envisioning his future. His teachers urge him to consider other options and work to talk him out of his dream, because they do not believe that he has the academic marks to belong at Notre Dame.
Despite being faced with disbelief and the constant pressure to give up his dream, Rudy is truly relentless in his aim. Every possible factor plays against Rudy in fulfilling his dream to play football for Notre Dame. Rudy refused to let his environment impact him.
Rudy's enthusiasm began to slowly inspire and change the minds of others around him and he showed that not only could he dream, but he could work toward a dream despite the numerous hurdles and roadblocks set up by individuals who laughed in his face. The pressures of continually pushing oneself toward a dream despite the odds are not to be taken lightly, and those who were close to Rudy as friends and confidantes took the time to nurture his dream and show him that at no point in time was Rudy alone in his aim.
The few clips I viewed also started thoughts in my own mind in relation to my own blossoming career in student affairs. When I decided initially to search for positions during the fall of my final year in college, a number of individuals were not supportive and told me that I would never find a job and that they would do everything possible to ensure I would not find a place for myself in student affairs. Thankfully, I had a great support system and mentors who helped me through the process of conducting a successful job search, but it was disheartening to know that the individuals who were theoretically invested in my personal development did not feel that their support was necessary or would have been valued. Perhaps there is a chip in the shoulder that will remain - as well as a soft spot for those who take less traditional routes to student affairs - but overall, I know that without internal motivation, few things are possible.
