So just wanted to check back in graduation was awesome. It's nice getting recognized, but it's a bummer having to come back and write a thesis. When you're told you're done, you want to be done. My family was in town and being able to share this experience makes it so much more fun, even if I was the only one who deemed it appropriate to walk for my degree, I think there were 3 of us graduating, oh well I got my cool stuff.
I think it would be appropriate at this point to discuss what I've learned aside from the economics. This program has given me an education on myself. It has been a beneficial experience to realize what I want to do, more on who I am, and where I want to go. Over the last year I've realized that life isn't about how much money you make, although it helps. Live is about bettering yourself and those around you, and to be surrounded by those you love. I'm not saying that Suffolk was the cause of this personal revelation, but they didn't hurt. The program coupled with work, made for a stressful situation that could have only been handled with the support and care of those around me, and I am thankful everyday for them.
The program also taught me how to formulate my own arguments and to digest information. I think undergrad gives you the information you need to succeed, but never pushes you to make a stand or formulate a thought, they teach you everything has two sides, but the most important thing a masters has taught me is there is not black and white situation, so you must make a choice. This goes completely against my personal concept that I am always right because I know sometimes i'll be wrong, that's just the nature of gray areas, but at least I'll have a side, an opinion, and I'll be part of the discussion.
The last 2 things that really were interesting to me at graduation were: not everyone wants to do what you do, and start a career, don't get a job. The first one surprised me when i saw the excitement everyone had when graduating, these were people that put in long hard hours such as myself to become something completely different, and nothing I wanted to do. We get so wrapped up in our lives and think everyone is always gunning for what we want, but I was in a room with 200 people who wanted nothing to do with what I love to do.
The second point is a crucial point for me, and I think I realized it about 48 hours before being told by the graduation speaker. I've decided to leave a paid job for an unpaid internship for this reason. A career is a journey of growth and happiness, A job a task for cash. You should develop a career and do what you love, not what may pay the bills. This is hard especially in this economy, but still an important message. I'm not saying go work for free; I hope in the near future I'll be paid for these tasks, but the point is do what you love and pursue you're dreams, and everything will fall in place. Don't wake up in five years and say "what have I done with my life."
