8.25.2008

why i am going back to school

the title sounds like a first-day-of-school journal assignment. heh.

i figured it'd be good to have it down somewhere on something paper-like.

1. i want to push myself as a designer and explore. especially that type of exploration that cannot be done while in the working world.

2.
through those explorations, better define if i have a specific area of interest and where my special interest and skill lies within the field.

3.
to get my head (and body) back into the [insert field here] community. working for a small firm for so long has cut me off from the community and what is going on within it. i want to re-connect, or really, connect for the first time to not only happenings, but the people. in short, networking, but not the soul-sucking kind i've done for work these past years.

there are others, of course, but those are the main ones.

i've been having really good conversations with skims lately. yay for summer break and part-time work that has allowed both of us more time. we went through the same undergrad program, and she's currently in the program whose acceptance i did not accept. so thankful for friends that really get it. so thankful she's taking a similar path but always a step or two ahead, so she can dispense good wisdom and calm the anxious potato. totally providence.
oh, and a bonus reason--despite my disillusionment with the real working world part of our industry, despite knowing the payoffs (or lack thereof, especially quantitatively) of obtaining this particular degree, despite knowing the suffering i am about to go through, i just can't see myself doing anything else, work-wise. i don't mean this in a narrow-minded, i'm-too-scared-to-try-something else kind of way. i mean it in a i-actually-know-at-least-this-one-thing-about-myself-deep-down sort of way.

20 comments:

  1. love the photo and the last paragraph. it's great that you know what you are meant to do! ;-) i'm excited for this new chapter in your life. faaabulous seeing you today; we will hit up RC next time! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. The i-actually-know-at-least-this-one-thing-about-myself-deep-down is a good way.

    It's far better than the other way. That's where I am. Boo.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am proud of you Tater! I hope when you start school it will all come to light as to why you chose to go the route you are. I am optimistic that you will really enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tater, I have a feeling that you're going to love school. And if you ever fall out of love with school, you can always refer back to this post :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. That last sentence is just amazing. You are SO lucky to have that. Honestly.

    We should start a back in school blog...

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm really happy for you. Shoot for the stars! This is what I tell the students on the first day of school so it's cheesy but strangely appropriate here. =)

    ReplyDelete
  7. You're pursuing what you love and that is such a beautiful gift. So many 2nd generation Asian Americans feel the burden of pursuing careers that are fo sho money makers b/c we feel the pressure of our parents' expectations and sacrifices. But what you're doing--it's truly the culmination of our parents' dreams (although many of them won't admit it). The fact that you can CHOOSE to follow this path and find passion in it. That's something that alluded so many 1st generation folks. It's a wonderful thing.

    Yay!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think it's wonderful that you're going back to school and doing something about following your calling. I have not yet found a workable way to do that, so I really admire you for that.

    ReplyDelete
  9. at the risk of sounding repetitive, i love that last sentence too. there are far too many of us in the world who are the opposite of that.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think going back to school is awesome. My years in school were my years of biggest growth. In some ways they were the toughest, but in others they were the most incredible. You're going to just do wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think you are awesome. You are going to do so well in school. Your passion for what you do will carry you through the rough days!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I know you're going to kick ass and take names during your return to school. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. i think it's so great that you're following your passion and doing what you're meant to do.

    much love to you as you embark upon this new journey :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Will I see you on a future season of Top Design one day? I hope so.

    ReplyDelete
  15. After you're done kicking ass in school and become a big shot in [your field], will you still be friends with us little people?

    :)

    You'll be awesome. Trust.

    ReplyDelete
  16. It's funny - when we're in school we try so hard to get out. As soon as we get out, we start trying to figure out ways to get back.

    ReplyDelete
  17. ditto lots of the others... i am so excited to hear about this new phase -- anything that's tied to someone's true passion is fascinating.

    plus, i hear there's free food involved.

    ReplyDelete
  18. i heart that you know and are doing something about it. i hope to know some day too ;)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm proud of you for heading back to school, despite it being expensive and scary! If you know what you want to do, then you're doing the right thing!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I yearn to have that statement be fact in my life. I'm so happy to know someone who can say that with confidence.

    ReplyDelete

comments are tasty!