After three whole years, I’m excited to say I am going back to school! I am officially enrolled (virtually) in Michigan State University, pursuing a Masters in Management, Strategy, and Leadership. I have been hesitant about pursuing another degree because I was not interested in spending my time or most definitely my money if I didn’t have a particular career path. A masters is something for specialized knowledge- to help you advance in a specific field/path. When I received my Bachelors in 2017, I didn’t know what I could possibly go back to school for, without thinking I was wasting my time.
When I was 16, I planted the idea in my head that I wanted to be the General Manager of a hotel when I grew up, and travel the world with all the money I’d make from it. At 20, I finally managed to swing a job at a the front desk of a hotel in Miami Beach, and then I quit… after TWO DAYS. A lot of factors played into that decision, but I knew it was not the right time for me to start my career in a hotel. I didn’t have it figured out then… and I sure as hell don’t have it figured all out now. I am a few years older now, and because I have just a little bit more clarity where I want to be, I decided to go forth with getting a Masters.
As a young professional today the pressure is ON when it comes to higher education. Our society continuously links getting a degree with success (while for some professions it is a MUST I agree), but I studied Hospitality… an industry where opportunity is endless and choosing just one thing to do has been impossible- at least for me! While I loved my time in school, I chose to experience everything I possibly could job-wise: special events, nonprofits, restaurants, travel and tourism, and then finally cruise lines, where I’ve been for almost two years. While I am in the “field,” I am most certainly not doing something that brings me joy. Probably a post for a different discussion, but if you’ve ever been a young professional unemployed, or looking for a job, you know what you’ll find? Employers that require Bachelor degrees and want to pay you $12 hour… true story, just look on LinkedIn. So tell me one more time how getting a degree will ensure higher salary? Moving on…
When I was in undergrad, it would pain me to see the amount of people only pursuing education because of the expectation placed on them. I’d see them change their major three, four, FIVE times because they realized they didn’t actually want to continue studying Biology (ooh, sorry was that you)? So many people told me I was “screwing up” my resume by going from different jobs after a year. Maybe some companies care, but when I actually explain to employers that I am just trying to figure out where I want\ to be, they understand! I’ve learned so much in all the jobs I’ve had, and I know when the time is right to move on to the next adventure. I don’t expect anyone graduating from high school to actually know what they want to do with the next 20+ years (and if you did, I am high-key jealous).
If we’re going to place any sort of expectation, we should place the idea that it is OKAY to try different things until you figure out what you want to explore more in-depth.
I was always a little envious of those going to med school, or becoming a lawyer, because that is a defined path. They know at least what direction they are going.
Me? I had 5 fork in the roads and wanted to taste everything. Sometimes I can’t fathom the idea of doing just one thing before trying everything else. That’s my personal battle. When I get good at something, or I stayed in one place for a long period of time, I’m always after what’s next. It is really difficult for me to say “this is one thing I want to do and now I’m going to do it forever!” Because forever is a long time. I knew from a young age that I didn’t want to go to medical or law school, but I was still very bent on finding a way to still help people. Pursuing a degree in organizational leadership will allow me the opportunity to do that… just in the business world! Part of my goal in the future is to be a business or self-development coach.
Ya girl is really not trying to work in one place for 50 years. I’d really love to retire in like… 10 years (get your laugh out now) LOL! I just don’t want to be working because I need money. I want to have money and then pursue other things that bring me joy. #goals
As always, thanks for reading all the way through if you’ve made it this far. Please feel free to comment, or connect with me on my social media channels for more thought discussions!
-Ziz