(Photo Credit: ser g/o, Flickr, Creative Commons License)
This time of year always makes me think of my college graduation. It was a cold, gloomy day in Ann Arbor, Michigan on April 28, 1994. I received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan. Back then, it was the frequent educational path chosen by those interested in a career in law, public service, or further graduate studies.
Are you shocked or surprised? Well, many people I meet seem to be when I mention that I graduated from college. I try not to take it personally. And, well, part of me believes that education can at times interfere with intelligence.
I don’t see myself as intelligent, just hard-working. I paid most of my way through college. I worked part-time while there, carrying a full course-load, and was able to graduate in the standard four years. During summers, I worked two or sometimes, three jobs in order to save up to pay for what wasn’t covered by work-study, loans, and other financial aid. I busted my tail!
I had grand plans for post-graduation. I wanted to join the Peace Corps. I also dreamed of working for a non-profit to help out with some big cause like women’s rights, the environment, or social justice. I thought if I attended law school, I could secretly work within the system as a revolutionary. I know that I was naive back then.
If only I had been honest with myself back then, I probably would have taken a different route while in college. My academic advisors there always recommended a music major for me. They saw my records and history as a musician. I almost cried on the floor so many times as they mentioned this dream of mine. I could have cried rivers in front of them.
I didn’t believe enough in myself or that I could ever make enough money to eat one day, if I earned a music degree. I already felt exhausted from working so hard to survive in a very competitive school and make enough money to stay there. I also saw my parents struggle financially. I didn’t want to continue the struggle, so I thought practically. I figured being a lawyer would pay the bills better and I’d be able to make a difference in the world.
Fast forward to after college…I couldn’t figure out what type of job to get since I had few marketable skills as of yet. I ended up working as a legal assistant to get my feet wet. Well, after four to five years, I hated it. It was grueling work since I chose to be in situations that helped the plaintiffs. You work so much harder in that situation. Also, it was emotionally trying since it was family law in some cases.
I felt so disillusioned. I wondered why I spent so much time, effort, and money on my education? I might have been happier to have gone to beauty school, I often mused. I dreamed of moving to Washington, D.C. to work at some non-profit instead, but I knew I’d make very little money and it would be hard out there for me. I stayed at home in Michigan, never taking the plunge.
Next, fast forward to post-legal career. I was about to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) in late 1997 to early 1998 when I discovered I had chronic fatigue syndrome. It was a weird diagnosis for me. It made sense though since for years, I was very sick, tired, and just exhausted. I changed my career aspirations and priorities around, thanks to the help of my supportive husband whom I met in college. I ended up going to massage school, and then, eventually changed again to doing energy work. Then, I somehow ended up doing psychic readings.
That’s my journey in a nutshell.
I still don’t get why people are surprised that I went to college. I get that all of the time. Maybe I seem too carefree and silly? Or, maybe I don’t seem “smart” at all? I know that I’m not always the best with grammar, spelling, and punctuation either. Maybe I just seem unsophisticated to others? I guess I just don’t care at this point.
I’ve thought of going back to school to get a Masters degree in something useful. But, the truth is that I’ve taken so many classes, especially ones involving a lot of travel and expense, that I just don’t feel the need to get formally educated again, at least not in a traditional sense. I’ve been toying with studying one or more of the following: music, broadcasting , graphic design, marketing or writing.
I am not sure as of yet what I want to do when I grow up. So, for now, I’m taking guitar lessons to master my craft. I have some hidden songs I’ve been working on the past year or so. I am not sure where my path is taking me next, but I’m okay with that. I’m just taking it one day at a time, mostly. It’s a journey or a process, not a destination when it comes to life purpose. I’m hoping to be surprised and shocked in a good way, especially with the outcome of my book proposal. It should be interesting.
Now, it’s your turn. Do you have any 180 degree turns in your own life where career is concerned? What wisdom do you want to share from your path? Feel free to comment here!
Thanks and blessings,
Lisa
©2011, Lisa, Punk Rock Psychic™, http://punkrockpsychic.com
I’m exactly the opposite- like, completely. LOL
People are often shocked when I tell them that I went no further than 7th grade. I’m currently working on a dual major at Drury University, yes. However, I started out doing the psychic thing.
The love of my life is justice. I won’t even pretend that it isn’t. Every thing I am doing now, everything that I’m setting into motion is all so that I can be a children’s advocate. Yes, I hope to see my content company thrive- but, so I don’t have to take on a tremendous amount of debt doing what I love. Once I get to the point where I can? I’ll step down as CEO in a heartbeat, pass the torch and fade on out. I am completely and 100% okay with that.
Wow, Tori, I can so feel your passion and mission. That is truly inspiring to me and others. Thanks for sharing! It shows that with passion, anything is possible, and even the hard work will be worth it. What a great example you are for others! Sending you blessings on your path. Thanks too for taking the time to read and comment here.
I went to college and grad school, and since I am now working as a certified holistic health practitioner and personal style blogger, I think it surprises people to hear that about me, too. I was a substance abuse therapist and family counselor. Which was meaningful at the time. Until it wasn’t and I, too, developed CFS.
Next thing you know, an interest in alternative health and energy healing modalities. I have done psychic readings, and considered doing it as a career, but I have a low tolerance for pain.
It’s hard enough being in their energy field as a distant healing practitioner sometimes and knowing of pain they are avoiding, suppressing, denying, etc. But the few times I had to say that no, I didn’t get the impression that things were going to happen the way they wanted or that actually, I thought the root of their problem was x, not y, were enough to make my stomach hurt.
Glad you are among the willing!
To me, it just doesn’t matter when or what you graduated, it’s how you use what you have. Tori is miles beyond what many HS graduates/College grads I’ve met, and Lisa..would have never thought you as anything less then learned. So..plllbbbtttt to everyone who’s judging.
When I grow up…I don’t want to grow up. Period. Way happy embracing my childlike attitude and mentality. I worked a career for fifteen years that beat the crap out of me, but I made great money. Switched to my passion (theater/storytelling) and I’m squeezing by money wise, but I am so much happier.
Live your dream. Call me Peter Pan. I don’t care.
Wow, Jeanine, you’re such a healer. I like your mission of helping others in the way you do it now. It is inspiring. It’s always interesting and inspiring to me to hear about others’ paths and the evolving that has taken place. I also hear you about the low tolerance for pain bit. It’s not always easy to feel others’ stuff, and it sure makes me do my self-care. I probably will never do readings again full-time due to those issues, but also, I feel called to doing other things like writing, coaching, speaking, and also, guitar stuff. Thanks for sharing and commenting here. I really enjoy your work!
Stuart, I resonate with what you’re saying. My degree in political science taught me how to think critically, research, write, and assimilate large amounts of information quickly. (I still can read 300-400 pages per day like I did back then out of necessity for my heavy course load, but now, it’s fun reading.)
I also don’t want to grow up. I mean, I still pay my bills and such. My friend once had a t-shirt that said something like: “Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.” Since my hubby and I don’t have kids, we get to play and have fun more perhaps than others. We also live simply so we can use some of our funds for fun things that matter to us (priorities!). I also hear you about working jobs that paid great, but were stressful. It’s so worth it to pursue passion over money. But, I sometimes believe you can have both…it might just take some time.
I love Peter Pan, by the way. All you need is a little trust and fairy dust…something like that!
I love Peter Pan, too, and Tinkerbell. In those stories, I always want to be the magical one. Tinkerbell and the fairy godmother. I really relate to the tarot magician. And the earth mother one ~ can’t remember it’s name.
Jeanine, have you read Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa P. Estes, Ph.D.? I think you might resonate
I saw that book as I read your response with the bit about magic.
P.S. Is it the Empress for the earth mother one? Or, it could be Queen of Pentacles?
You know, I’ve heard of that book but never read it. Maybe I should!
Had to go look in my Tarot for Life book. And would you believe that I went to both pages immediately and effortlessly on first try? Cool!
I relate to both, but the one that calls my name is the Queen of Pentacles. “The Queen of Pentacles enjoys the most picturesque of the views depicted on the Court cards. But the surrounding water, sky, trees, animals, and mountains exist not merely as backdrops, she feels herself to be warmly in relationship with them.”~~Paul Quinn
Hi Lisa, I did LOL! I have a degree is International Business and Management and worked 10 years in the corporate world. While I learned a lot from it, I didn’t feel the passion for it at all.
When I moved to another country, I decided to do what I have been passionate about – teaching. It has been very fulfilling and that was what lead me to coaching. I believe that sometimes it’s hard to know which road is the right one but when we make the decision to go down a road, the path becomes clearer and we know where to head on next.
I know it’s scary when we made a decision and it’s not what we thought it would be. However, that experience teaches us and we can always switch directions. It may be costly but it doesn’t mean that we can change. After all, the only constant in life is change
Diana, that is so cool about your journey–it’s always so interesting to learn about others’ journeys, so thank you for sharing
I like that bit about the only constant being change…so true and so easy to forget sometimes 
Blessings to you…
How fun, Jeanine! The Queen of Pentacles is the one I get a lot when I ask about relocation…yay! She really rocks, doesn’t she?
Enjoy!