When I was in the third grade, I watched a video that showed the discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb (陵墓). I remember Carter, one of the characters in the video, going through a narrow hole in the tomb with a candle. A workman asked what he could see. "Wonderful things!" Carter said. From that moment, I knew what I wanted to do with my life.
So I decided what I wanted to be at the age of nine, and I made it happen. Seems easy, right? Not quite! The road wasn't easy. I did my studies—university, then a PhD (博士). But along the way I was told many things, " Shawki was too young and she had no experience. She should get married and have kids". I also needed money, so I applied for grants (申请补助金) . The first five replies I got said no. Six months later the last reply came and I was excited about it. Finally, I could start my own digging.
Today, I'm lucky to work as an archeologist (考古学家) . I study the lives of people who lived in Egypt's Nile Delta. It's exciting work. Sometimes you find something that was buried three thousand years ago. Holding a piece of history is an amazing feeling.
For anyone thinking about a job, I would say: Never give up. If you want to do something, keep trying. If people tell you "no", use that-it will push you. At the beginning, it hurts. But the next "no" hurts a little less. It makes you stronger and actually helps you.
Second, focus on your goals. You don't have to follow other people. If they say something has never been done, make it happen. You may be the first to do it! There are always challenges, but you overcome them in the end.
