The Story of College – Chasing Dreams and Skittles

Sean was stubborn. He didn’t like hearing the word “no,” and the fear of rejection often kept him from trying in the first place. That’s why, when it came time to apply for college, he never sent an application to his first choice – the University of Florida. Instead, he stayed close to home and enrolled at Florida International University. It felt safer, easier somehow. He told himself it didn’t take much to get accepted there.

But sometimes, life has a way of turning things around. That same year, Sean was awarded the Cliff Floyd Scholarship from the Florida Marlins. It covered his first year of tuition, a gift he hadn’t expected but was grateful to receive. He started his studies with the goal of earning a degree in Business Administration – the kind of degree people said could take you far.

It didn’t take long for Sean to realize that far wasn’t where he wanted to go. His business courses were dull, filled with math problems and economics lectures that left him daydreaming. By the end of his first semester, Sean made a sharp turn and found himself in the world of Television Production.

College for Sean felt a lot like high school – he soared in the classes he loved and stumbled through the ones he didn’t. When he finally reached his junior year, something changed. His schedule was filled only with the courses he enjoyed, and suddenly, he was on the Dean’s List.

One day, while working on the set of a short film, Sean held the boom mic steady and adjusted lights as a production assistant. It wasn’t glamorous, but he enjoyed the energy. The director took notice, and not long after, Sean’s phone rang. MTV was calling.

In 2004, the MTV Video Music Awards were coming to Miami for the first time, and they needed production assistants. Sean didn’t hesitate. For two days, he worked 16-hour shifts at the American Airlines Arena, swept up in the excitement of live television.

His first brush with fame came quickly. A voice crackled over his headset: “Clear the path for Christina Aguilera.” Sean stepped aside as she passed, feeling the weight of his new role. Moments later, he found himself in an elevator, standing just inches from supermodel Naomi Campbell. He kept his eyes forward, afraid that even breathing too loudly might disrupt the moment.

Some encounters were easier. Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy sat nearby and casually offered Sean some Skittles. Sean accepted, quietly enjoying the candy while taking in the surreal moment. A few minutes later, a band member from Yellowcard approached, and Sean got back to work.

One of his most memorable experiences was with Nick Lachey from 98 Degrees. While Jessica Simpson relaxed in their dressing room, Nick leaned against the wall outside, scrolling through his phone. Sean was stationed nearby, just in case they needed anything. After a few minutes, Nick looked up. “How’s it going?” he asked. Sean, surprised by the question, told him a little about his life. Nick listened, nodding and laughing at the right moments. It was a small exchange, but Sean never forgot how kind he had been.

Not all moments were as smooth. One evening, while eating Taco Bell provided for the crew, Sean noticed Mike “The Miz” Mizanin from The Real World eyeing the food. When Mike learned it was just for production, he walked away, visibly disappointed. Sean felt a pang of guilt. A few minutes later, he grabbed some tacos and climbed the stairs to VIP, where Mike and the other cast members were gathered. “Hey man,” Sean said, holding out the bag. Mike smiled, shook his hand, and politely declined. Sean left feeling a little foolish – offering tacos to someone at a VIP party wasn’t his brightest moment.

There were countless highlights. Sean watched Kanye West and Usher rehearse for their performances and even stood in the audience during The Flaming Lips set. For Sean, this wasn’t just a college gig – it was a glimpse into the future.

While working on the production, Sean was also a teacher’s assistant at an elementary school. His love for working with kids grew stronger, and he took classes to earn his teaching certificate.

Graduating wasn’t as simple as Sean had hoped. His final required classes were only offered during the day, meaning he had to wait an entire year for the night courses to roll around. Two years later than planned, Sean crossed the stage and accepted his degree.

College had been more than books and lectures. It was an adventure filled with unexpected twists, backstage passes, and lessons that extended far beyond the classroom. For Sean, those years weren’t just about preparing for the future – they were about learning to embrace the opportunities right in front of him.