Monday, May 14, 2012

May Madness: Graduation 2011 - One Year Later


Dear Friends,

Over a couple weeks ago, I finally finished something that took me over ten years to complete. I finally got my college degree. Although, it is only an associate degree, it is better than nothing at all in this world. Last year, I was happier than I ever was at my high school graduation. I was surrounded by people that helped me get through this ordeal and was blessed to have people that I can be proud to call my friends. This is going to be a short blog about being out of school with a degree.

First and foremost, I think in this world we live in today, things are not as they were ten years ago. It is hard to find work, housing, get a car, or do anything productive. I might have a degree but unless you have connections, finding a job is like finding a gold nugget during a blackout.

Second, being employable is not as good as it use to be. We are told to go get a high school diploma but you cannot get a job with just a high school diploma. Then you go to community college to get an associate degree but you barely can get work with an associate degree. Then you go to a university or college to get a bachelors degree but there is a 50/50 chance you get a job. My point is that having a piece of paper is one thing but being employable is a different league than most.

Third, having this degree does not guarantee that someone will hire you. I have friends that are doing what they wanted to do in life but some people don’t get their dream job. I have one friend working for a car magazine and another working for a school system. They are happy and blessed. I also have friends that are unemployed but happy because of new additions to family and other blessings.

Finally, since I graduated from community college, I find myself wanting to do more because I still want to learn more and be something than what I am now. In the long run, after a year of having a college degree, it is better to get more than a degree but working and gaining some happiness and peace of mind. I guess for now, I have to make the most of what I have. I can say that I graduated with a degree but I am not done with my education. There will be more to come but this is the end for the time being.








Eugene Chandler III

No comments:

Post a Comment