Raise Your Hand If You Want to Eat!

When I graduated from a four year private college, I thought that I was well on my way to living the "American Dream." I spent much of my time during high school prepping for the ACTS, SATS, keeping my grades up and staying up countless hours writing competitive essays with the hope of winning scholarship money! Yet, when I finally got to college my eyes grew wide with anticipation for the future! I was thrilled. I MADE IT! I am in COLLEGE. I had my nose up to the world, as if to say "LOOK AT ME! I'm getting my four year degree and I'm going to be SOMEBODY!"

What I discovered during those four years was that I was really great at following rules, writing essays and meeting deadlines. I learned how to communicate in a variety of social situations from dating to depression. There was no topic off limits except how to think for myself. How to believe in myself that I could do and be anything. 

When I got out into the real world it took almost two years to find a solid job and even when I finally found one it was only a temp to hire position. (Oh, let's not forget the whack in the skull with the college debit lol) The system set me up to fail. I had that oh, so grand "piece of paper" but, then I lacked experience. Also, I graduated in a class when the economy was unstable and there weren't that many jobs. This didn't seem to bother many of my college friends because they graduated returning home to their childhood bedroom, with all their stuff still in tack and with at least one working parent/guardian who could help them in life when they needed it. 

I returned "home" to more of my stuff being pushed in storage and sleeping on a couch, because there was no room made for me. I guess they thought that I would graduate, immediately get a full time, great paying job and get my own place. Unfortunately that didn't happen and I instantly felt the weight of burden grip my shoulders; "how on earth am I suppose to make it out in the world? I spent four years getting a piece of paper that I can't even use because I don't have any experience..." So, in other words..having a "degree" looks great on paper but not in an interview when they ask you "How much experience do you have in this field?"

How can you gain experience in any field, if you are never given a chance?

Eh, I don't use the fact that I don't have any parents as a crutch not give my absolute best, but I do use it to remind people that having parental support should be seen as blessing, not an expectation. I will also say, bless my mothers' heart (may her soul rest in peace) for working so hard to put money aside to see her baby attend college. Maybe that was her dying wish, and maybe with receiving that "piece of paper" I was able to put a smile on her face as she watched me walk across the stage from Heaven. I don't really know but...

My advice to anyone currently in school is to get as much experience in your field as possible. If you have to volunteer, do an internship (etc) just do whatever it takes to gain that experience. I heavily stress that because we are entering into a time where pretty soon even the Bachelors degree will have lost it's luster, and jobs will require you to know more, have more experience, work harder and longer hours but still for the same or less pay. Most Colleges are created to teach you to follow directions, but not how be a BOSS, A LEADER, A SUPERVISOR, A MANAGER nor how to guide someone else in those directions.

I know people who never attended college, making six figures because they started their own businesses. They believed in themselves, had the support of family and friends long enough to help them bring their vision to life and guess what?

They are some of the most creative and talented individuals that I know. I'm not saying that college is bad. I love to learn, so of course those who are book smart would most likely be expected to do well in that realm. But what I am saying, is that there are other options. You can still be just as successful with or without that "piece of paper." 

Thank you for reading. 

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LadyRemedy1 

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