On "Life Choices"
I've come under a bit of fire lately from family for the fact that I'm no longer considering going off to teacher's college. Let me frame the issue for you: I'm an English Lit student - the practical application of such a degree towards a steady paycheque are, essentially, zilch. Unless, of course, you go become a teacher. That had been my plan, thanks largely to the suggestions of others and not any real aspirations I'd ever had, up until about six months ago.
So, what do I want to do with my life now? Well, I'm not sure. No idea, really. Sure, ideally, my writing career takes off and I'm getting hundred thousand dollar advances by the age of thirty and legions of fans. Of course, the chances of this happening are, again, pretty much zilch.
But I'd like to suggest the idea that to expect the field you study in university to be your only career choice in life is entirely ridiculous. My mom went to college with an eye toward being a fashion buyer - now she does bookkeeping for small businesses. My dad went to college for cartography - now he sells commercial software. So, the idea that I'm going to fail spectacularly at life by not going into teaching is something I just laugh off. Sure, not having any solid answers for what I want to do with my life with just a year and a half remaining in my degree is somewhat frightening, but is there anything wrong with that? I'd like to think that having a university Honours degree, no matter what the discipline, is good enough to get me some sort of job somewhere.
The path that's taken from there? Well, who knows?
So, what do I want to do with my life now? Well, I'm not sure. No idea, really. Sure, ideally, my writing career takes off and I'm getting hundred thousand dollar advances by the age of thirty and legions of fans. Of course, the chances of this happening are, again, pretty much zilch.
But I'd like to suggest the idea that to expect the field you study in university to be your only career choice in life is entirely ridiculous. My mom went to college with an eye toward being a fashion buyer - now she does bookkeeping for small businesses. My dad went to college for cartography - now he sells commercial software. So, the idea that I'm going to fail spectacularly at life by not going into teaching is something I just laugh off. Sure, not having any solid answers for what I want to do with my life with just a year and a half remaining in my degree is somewhat frightening, but is there anything wrong with that? I'd like to think that having a university Honours degree, no matter what the discipline, is good enough to get me some sort of job somewhere.
The path that's taken from there? Well, who knows?
4 Comments:
I've been an author / writer for years, and I've come to the conclusion that the only way for it to work is : multiple income streams. It's not tidy, nor is it impressive to those who prefer a profession of some sort. But it sure ain't dull!
Good. For. You.
I mean that. It takes a lot to step away from the norm and pursue what you love. Will it make others happy? Not even close.
But will it make YOU happy. Yes. It's your dream. Pursue it until your dying day.
More power to you.
Grins*
Amen brother...i feel your pain.
we all go through that. when i quit my day job to pursue my writing career, my dream, people around me thought i went nuts. "Oh he'll come around. it's a phase" they said.
well, it's not a phase. some people don't realise that being a writer isn't something you choose to become, it's what you are.
in any case, i suppose it pays well to have a degree. i don't have one. but look at me! ;)
keep writing my friend
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