Why I've Decided Not To Get My Master's Degree (For Now)

We all have that one question that we dread answering.

It's the eye-rolling question, or the "eye-flutter," as some of my friends would say. The one thing you'd rather not have to answer, or better yet, the one thing you'd rather not have someone ask you.

The worst part of it all is that you know it's coming--you can feel it--you can sense it. Its silent steps seem to slither into almost every casual conversation, no matter the person. It's not that your hatred of the subject is the root of your never-ending annoyance and dislike; it's the inevitable expectations, programmed from predictable societal standards, that carve loathing irritation into your heart.

So, what's mine, you ask? Six simple words; one complex assumption.

"Are you going to grad school?" 

Granted, it's a natural and typical response for someone conversing with me about my sudden life changes. I understand that I'm currently in a career pickle: working two part-time, contracted jobs to help me through the time being. But, in no way does my lack of job stability or accomplishments imply that I must go back to school. The shocking part is that those who expect me to return to school stare at me with shocking dismay and disappointment as if I shouted that God does not exist during a Catholic Mass. In fact, I feel like some people would forgive me for that act of misconduct over accepting that graduate school is not on my agenda.

Recently, with the guidance of my patiently awesome trainer, I've been learning the art of boxing. That's right: boxing. Yes, I'm a girl who likes to box, and quite frankly, I've becoming quite good at it. Besides using it as an outlet for my daily frustration, I've discovered it to be a rewarding (yet, painful) workout. What can I say, I'm a girl that's excited to see how many guys she can beat up in the ring. (Current count: 3.)

Yet, I must admit that learning the fundamentals of boxing is a boring and tedious task. You have to learn the correct techniques, allowing it to become second nature, before you're ready to mess around in the ring. You have to understand the importance of certain punches, know how to defend yourself correctly, where to place your hands, remember to keep your elbow in, know your distance, learn how to move your hips, etc. You can't jump into the ring the first day--though, that is ultimately the thrill and goal. You need to know the basics and be prepared, or someone is going to knock you out. But then again, you won't know your real strength until you put your techniques to practice one-on-one against someone else.

That's how I feel like graduate school is. At this point in my life and career, going back to school would be the safe route and the easy way out of navigating through the "real world." I have the tools I need to succeed, but now it's time to put them into practice outside of the classroom. I'm a firm believer that though education is very much needed, school can only take you so far: the rest is perseverance  faith, determination. and most importantly time. You have to take a few punches before you go back to the basics.

And that's why, as of now, I refuse to go back to school. Not because of the fact that a Master's degree could ultimately ruin and hinder many career prospects in my respective field, but because I have not yet built enough experience to feel the need to continue my education. How can a school teach me to write professionally if I ignore opportunities I have now for my writing to be published?

Nevertheless, please don't confuse my passion with a dislike or hatred for higher education. For many people, it's deemed necessary for their career, individual vocations, personal accomplishments, self-esteem and so on and so forth. There is absolutely nothing wrong with graduate school, but simultaneously, there is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to gain first-hand, real-world experience. The former is generally accepted and preferred; for whatever reason, the latter is considerably always condemned.

So, maybe one day I'll miss the comforting stability found outside the ring. Maybe I'll be in dire need of additional coaching and temporarily walk away to remember the basics. Maybe I'll lose my balance or take a hard hit and be forced to take refuge in a sheltering environment. Or maybe, just maybe, the adrenaline pumping through my veins will be the only thing I ever need or desire from here on out.

Regardless, the truth is that right now, at this very moment, I'm enjoying being in the career ring way too much: it's probably the healthiest and one of my proudest accomplishment thus far in my life.

And for now, right now is all that matters.


(Photo courtesy of Julie Meram)