How Suraya Convinced Her Parents to Pursue A Path Beyond Their Expectations

Sometimes, life has a funny way of presenting you with moments that change everything. For Suraya MA Shakir, one of those moments happened when she was sitting next to a stranger at her university interview, about to decide her future. A random question about the stranger's aspirations led to an unexpected conversation that would ultimately push Suraya to change her course of study, deciding to pursue a career in fashion design despite her father’s initial plans for her future. 

This is the story of how Suraya’s passion, determination, and resilience helped her convince her parents to support her dreams, even when they initially thought it was a path that would lead nowhere.

One Fateful Encounter 

The day Suraya attended her interview for her arts and design diploma at UITM, she had no idea that fate would guide her in a new direction. "Honestly, I didn’t know what Industrial Design was,” Suraya recalled, reflecting on the advice her father had given her before the interview. “He told me, ‘If they ask, tell them you want to take Industrial Design.’" She had a fleeting sense of what the course entailed: something technical and something far from her passion for fashion. But when Suraya sat down next to a fellow applicant and struck up a conversation, everything changed.

She asked the girl sitting beside her what branch of arts and design she had planned to pursue. When she replied that it was fashion design, Suraya suddenly had a lightbulb moment. It was as if a veil had lifted, and she thought, "Why hadn’t I thought of that before?" The idea struck her with such clarity, like an epiphany. It felt right, instinctively, like she had found her true calling in a fleeting, serendipitous conversation.

Suraya had always been passionate about the arts; the handmade bag she had sewn and brought along during the interview was proof itself. She showed her bag to the girl, sharing their love for arts and design, and the girl said, “You’re really good at sewing! You should consider Fashion Design too!”

"In that moment, I didn’t think twice,” Suraya recalled. “It was like fate. I just decided, 'Fashion design it is.'"

Looking back, Suraya could see how that conversation marked a pivotal turning point. It wasn’t just a matter of deciding what she wanted to study, but it was a defining moment of self-awareness. She hadn’t consciously chosen fashion until that point, but once the idea clicked, it felt right. For Suraya, that moment was a wake-up call to listen to her true passion, something she had known deep down all along but had been too unsure to embrace fully.

The Initial Struggles of Doubts and Resistance

Suraya's decision was met with immediate pushback from her father, who had envisioned a more traditional, stable future for her. "Fashion?!" he had exclaimed when Suraya revealed her choice. "What will you do with that? Can you really build a career from fashion?"

Her father’s concerns weren’t unique; many parents, particularly those from more conservative backgrounds, see creative fields like fashion as impractical or fleeting. For Suraya, her father’s reaction was not just about worry, but was also rooted in his desire to protect her. “He was thinking about my future, but it was hard for him to understand that my passion for fashion wasn’t just a hobby,” Suraya reflected. 

At this point, Suraya’s parents were still uncertain about her decision. They felt she was deviating from a safe, predictable path, one that had been expected of her since she was young. The fact that she had come from MRSM, a school with an emphasis on science, maths, and engineering, made it even harder for them to accept her career shift. “I didn’t know how to convince them at first,” Suraya said. “But I knew deep down this was what I was meant to do.”

Despite the initial resistance, Suraya pressed on, driven by her belief that she wasn’t just choosing a career in fashion but a life filled with passion. She reflected, “I wasn’t going to let anyone tell me that I couldn’t pursue this dream. I knew this was the right path for me.”

A Resilience and Determination Out of the Ordinary

Over the course of her diploma, Suraya was determined to prove to herself and her parents that fashion wasn’t just something she loved, it was something she excelled in. “It wasn’t easy at all,” she admitted. “I had to juggle part-time work doing alterations, and I struggled with the costs. I was rationing food, doing everything I could just to stay afloat.”

But this adversity only made her more focused. Suraya’s commitment to her dream was evident in her results. She not only excelled in her courses but also received the Anugerah Naib Cancelor (Vice Chancellor’s) award during her final semester. “When I received the award, I felt like I was finally showing them that this wasn’t just a phase. I had proven to myself that I could do it, and I was determined to prove it to my parents as well.”

Suraya’s achievements were a powerful testament to her resilience. While her father remained uncertain for much of her diploma years, he couldn’t ignore her hard work and success. "When I saw her dedication, it was hard to deny it," her father admitted. "She was always committed, always striving for excellence. Over time, I began to see that this wasn’t just a hobby, but something she was truly passionate about."

It was Suraya’s perseverance that turned the tide. “Once they saw that I was committed, that I was doing well, they started to understand. It wasn’t easy, but with every step, I proved that I was capable of making this work,” she shared.

Building Her Own Brand: The Entrepreneurial Spirit

By the time Suraya had finished her diploma, she had already begun laying the groundwork for her future business. At 18, she started her own tailoring service, offering alterations and custom designs under her brand, bysryashakir. This was her first step towards becoming an entrepreneur, and it was something she took very seriously.

“Starting my business wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. I needed to show my parents that I wasn’t just a dreamer, and that I was building something real,” she explained. "Even when the business was small, it was mine, and I knew it was the beginning of something bigger."

Suraya’s entrepreneurial journey wasn’t without its challenges. Balancing her studies and side business took a toll, but she kept pushing forward. “I had to learn how to juggle multiple responsibilities. But I knew I couldn’t give up,” she said, her voice filled with determination. “Every client, every piece of clothing I altered, was another step closer to my dream.”

Through sheer determination and hard work, Suraya grew her business, attracting more clients and gaining recognition for her skills. Her parents, who had once been sceptical, began to see that her passion was a profound commitment to something she knew in her heart could shape her future, no matter how uncertain it seemed at the start.

Tips for Convincing Parents to Let You Study What You Want

Suraya’s story is not just about following your passion; it’s about how to convince those who matter most to support you in that pursuit. If you’re in a situation where you feel your parents are hesitant to let you study something unconventional, here are some lessons from Suraya’s journey:

1. Have a Clear Plan and Vision
   Suraya didn’t just follow her passion blindly. Instead, she created a clear plan. Whether it was her studies in fashion or later deciding to study Business Marketing, she knew what she wanted and why. If you want your parents to support you, show them you’ve thought about your future. Lay out your goals, both short-term and long-term, and show them how your chosen field fits into that plan.
2. Show Your Commitment Through Actions
   It’s not enough to just say you’re passionate about something, because you need to show it too. Suraya proved her commitment by excelling academically, even when times were tough. She worked part-time, managed her finances, and continued to give her all. Demonstrating your commitment through actions will make it harder for anyone to question your dedication.
3. Open, Honest Communication
   Throughout her journey, Suraya maintained open communication with her parents. Even when they didn’t fully understand her choices, she explained her reasoning. She didn’t hide her struggles but shared them with her parents, helping them understand why she was making the choices she did. Be honest with your parents about your dreams and the obstacles you face. They will appreciate your transparency.
4. Be Patient and Persistent
   Convincing your parents won’t happen overnight, and there will be moments of doubt. But just like Suraya, stay persistent. It took time for her parents to fully come around, but they eventually did. Keep proving that you’re serious, and they’ll begin to see your potential.
5. Show Practical Evidence of Your Passion
   Suraya didn’t just talk about fashion design–she lived it. She worked part-time, built a business, and excelled in her studies. Her internships, side projects, and freelance work all showed her parents that her passion can translate into something tangible and successful. 

The Power of Following Your Passion

Suraya’s journey is a powerful reminder that pursuing your dreams, even in the face of doubt and opposition, can lead to incredible success. By staying true to herself, Suraya not only transformed her own life but also changed her parents' perception of what was possible.

Her story is a testament to the fact that with hard work, patience, and a clear vision, you can overcome any obstacle. So, if you find yourself at a crossroads, uncertain about whether to follow your passion or take the ‘safe’ route, remember Suraya’s words: “If you have the potential, anything is possible.”

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