MIRA MAISURA - Trapped in a world full of computers

I have always thought my decision back in 2006, when I enrolled in FENS of IUS was wrong, in terms of field of study. But this wrong decision led to another ‘wrong’ decision where I enrolled in a master study of computer science in Germany. Feels like I am leading myself into another trap of life. But I could not move to another field as I was already so deep in computer science. It would be a waste if I did so. I thought so.

When I decided to go back to my home country after completing my master’s study, I wasn’t really devastated with fewer job opportunities in the place where being a civil servant is one of the main choices,including teaching/lecturing. As all I knew was computer things, then again I am getting myself in the world of computers, again. During this time, I tried any possible career I could perceive. From taking classes to be a travel writer to being an English/German translator. All for the sake of getting away from the computer things. It sounds silly, right?

One day, I was having a gathering with the student from the association for adventure and environment, when someone approached me and offered a position as lecturer of Education of Information Technology at State Islamic University of Ar-Raniry, Aceh, Indonesia. It took me a couple of months before I decided to take the opportunity. Why not take the chance, I said to myself after months of thinking.

Teaching/lecturing was never my passion to start off. It was quite a culture shock being a lecturer, transferring knowledge to students who at first even reject being taught by this new, yet no experienced lecturer. Yes, that happened.  Which led me to make a plan to resign after a semester in university. I could not wait until the semester ended.That was the plan. But by the end of the semester, I got used to the working environment and even got attached toworking with the youngsters who are always full of surprises and crazy ideas. Without really realizing,years passed. I have spent many events with them, working with fun projects, exploring the world of computers with them, and importantly I learn a lot of new things from my students.

Now I enjoy teaching, I am still writing academically or for local agencies, I could still enjoy traveling (while attending conferences :p), and I could spare sometimes when the local agencies need help in English/German translation. Who knows, I could do all the things I like together with the job, that I neverknew, one day would be my passion. There were two things I did not like in life; Computer and teaching. And now, I am doing it with fun! I am sharing this so that those who feel lost during their study could get something from this.Sometimes you just need to explore yourself more. Give yourself the chance to learn something new, learn to see things from a different perspective. Life is full of surprises, life is full of choices too.