DJs aren't born, they are (self) made. So how did I get myself on stages in front of two-hundred person crowds and in venues around Chicago, paid to do what I love? It all started with a hankering for reinvention as I transitioned from high school to college, eager to shed my past as a dedicated violinist. But joining college radio and signing up to learn how to DJ was just the beginning. Through publicly-broadcasted pitfalls and self doubt, technological mishaps and a global pandemic, I learned what it means to navigate personal values in a college setting, as well as the significance of surrounding myself with supportive friends who ignite my own enthusiasm for giving back to the community. As I reflect on my journey from radio station apprentice to full-fledged DJ and look towards my post-grad goals, I demonstrate how aligning personal values with passion can help you find dreams you might have never imagined, and exceed your wildest expectations.