Ever since I graduated college four years ago (holy crapoly!), I’ve noticed that while I’ve long shoved my textbooks into storage (except for “Conception To Birth” — there are some quality diagrams in there, I tell ya), almost all of my friends have continued their studies. This has become even more apparent now that everyone is starting to graduate. Jess is now a dentist. Randall is now a doctor. Fred is now a lawyer (almost). Alice is working on her second master’s (why the heck do you need two?). And the list goes on and on and on.
I am very proud of my friends. Don’t get me wrong. They’ve made many sacrifices for their education and I wish them enormous success (and I hope to be able to count on them for a ‘buddy rate’ on medical/legal/other advice in the future). But around this time, I can’t help but feel a teensy bit inadequate with my unremarkable bachelor’s degree in political science, a major I don’t even like saying aloud in fear that people will ask my views on political affairs (”Ummm, make love not war?”) Yes, I know that in my profession, a graduate degree is not necessary and that in the past four years, I’ve gained more real world experience than $120K could ever buy, but I sort of wonder what my social circle will look like five or ten years down the road. Will these friends, who’ll eventually start convening over expensive wine and bruschetta to discuss managed healthcare and occupational pensions, still want to hang out with poor little Michelle B.A.?
I surely hope so.
8 responses so far ↓
1 m@ // Jun 4, 2007 at 10:25 pm
There are so many others with further education. Myself? I have a PhD in kicking ass at Wii bowling.
2 michelle // Jun 4, 2007 at 10:28 pm
I know, but I only have so much bandwidth.
3 desiree // Jun 5, 2007 at 11:15 am
i totally know how you feel!! not to mention people graduating from pharm school…etc etc. have u noticed that we are and will forever remain “ghetto” ahem, stealing free tampons at seaworld. =) seriously tho, i think we will all remain friends for a LONG while. Masters/JD/MD/PhD doesn’t change who we are at the core. hope that helps! love ya mich. and just so you know, we are all jealous of your fun, glamourous job you know!
4 Alice // Jun 5, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Remember! We’re friends first and foremost..it just so happens we have a few abbreviations attached to the end of our names is all.
5 F.J. // Jun 5, 2007 at 9:57 pm
The skills that you possess can’t be taught or earned by a degree. I actually envy your creative writing skills. Go figure that I chose an occupation that utilizes my worst skills. (Remember that time I had ask you how to rephrase a paragraph for my application?)
The different skills that each person in our circle of friends possess, as a collective, we can accomplish a lot more.
6 michelle // Jun 5, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Haha. Thanks for these wise words. See, all that studying is paying off.
7 jenny // Jun 7, 2007 at 4:11 pm
i’ll be there with you. probably at PCR. cause you just can’t beat a meal for $5. love you.
8 natasha // Jun 7, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Mish, you know I love you. And I don’t even really like brushetta . . . whatever it’s called. I miss you!
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