Let’s talk about my degree shall we?? Yes I know it’s totally off-topic from DIY or a house, but it’s on my mind so there.
I graduated in 2011 from Madonna University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.
Ok? Great…
When I was little I wanted to be a dental hygienist. Then it was a bus driver because I like the way the doors opened (Sad, but true). Then for the longest time, I wanted to be a forensic scientist. I LOVED watching all the murder shows and using science to figure it out. Then, I wanted to be a mechanical engineer. And of course, teacher was thrown in there too, well because everyone wants to be a teacher in their lifetime.
I consider myself pretty smart, and I’m very mechanically-inclined. You give me something, I’ll figure out how it works. If it still doesn’t work, then I’ll make it work- have I mentioned I’m stubborn as well?
So when I entered college, it was for elementary education, for math and science. I was cool with this for the longest time. I still didn’t really know what I wanted to do (much like anyone else) and I can clearly remember looking through the course catalog at my parent’s kitchen table. All the sudden financial advisor popped out, I mentioned it and they said go for it. In my heart though, I just wasn’t into it. It sounded boring and something I just wasn’t interested in. However, that’s what everyone thought I should be doing (family & society) because I am good with numbers and I’m smart.
So I changed my major to Business Administration and finished up my degree.
However now, it’s kind of useless to me. You see, I have a very different perception of college. Society “says” that you must go, or else. Of course I believe in education, please don’t get me wrong. However, I don’t see anything wrong with trade or technical schools either.
Think about it-if you go to cosmetology school, you’re going to learn how to do hair properly. You lean techniques, theory and you practice. Then, when you graduate and you’re in a salon, you do pretty much the same thing you did while in school.
I’m currently working as a benefits rep now. I didn’t learn anything about benefits in college. I didn’t learn a thing about 401k’s or pension plans or how they worked. When I got this job, I was 21 and never had a job that even offered a 401k. They trained us, which happens on many many jobs in the business world. They will look to see if you have a degree, and then train you anyways for the specific job.
Yesterday I had a phone interview for an HR job (I’m not really looking for a job, but Matt will apply me for things here and there). They said the only thing that’s holding me back is that I didn’t have a Human Resources degree. Um… ok thanks. I have a business degree, and I’ve taken oodles of HR classes, but companies still don’t care.
So now, I have a piece of paper that is costing me an arm and a leg.
Which brings me to my next point. If I were to do it over again, I would go for something I truly loved and was passionate about. My parents agree with my theory, thank goodness. I think they really see how I feel about it and they do back me up, so much that they suggested that I go back to school. Ya right-that’s not happening. At least not now.
I have always loved everything in the design industry… interior, fashion, graphic, you name it, I love it. I would have gone to school for design.
Going back to Emily’s post, she quoted my grandma who said “it would be a shame to waste talent” (I’m paraphrasing of course, but you get the deal). I felt like I had to go to school for something business-related because I’m smart and good at math. I didn’t want to let people down or “waste my talent,” and I think that’s what my family thought as well.
However, it’s a shame to waste artistic talent too. I may not be able to paint like Rembrandt, or draw like my cousin, but I have a real passion for design. I think I would have been great as an interior designer, or even a graphic artist. I think Laura has a near-perfect job, working for clients but still doing what she loves. She is a very talented graphic artist who designs the cutest illustrations ever. She’s working, but it probably doesn’t seem like work because she loves it so much. Or Allisa, who designs beautiful pouches and bags on Esty right out of her home. She’s doing what she loves, gets to stay home with her children, and she’s paid for it. What could be better than that.
I commend these people who stayed on track, followed their hearts, and are doing what they love. I think that’s the most important thing in life. If you are going to spend more time at work than you do at home, and you’re going to do it for years and years and years, you might as well love it.
My job pays the bills and everything, but I feel like I just drive to work, stay for 8 hours and then go home. When I get to plan events for our work I absolutely love it… which tells me that I need to be in the design world one day, whether it would be a full-time job or just as a strong hobby.
If you followed your heart and you have a job that you love, picture me bowing down at you. You’re wicked awesome.
This isn’t a rant post, and I am grateful that I have a degree, again, please don’t get me wrong. But now that I’ve had it for a while, I just wish it was for something else that I truly enjoyed.
If you could have a do-over, what would you get a degree in?
xoxo
Lauren : )