Wasting My University Degree

Now that I’ve graduated, what am I doing with my life?

I suppose I expected friends and family from near and far to be asking me that very question once I graduated. However, I fully admit I was not prepared to respond to such a loaded question. Little did I know that I needed to be fully stocked with ammunition to take on such an angry mob.

It’s been nearly one month from the date I graduated with my bachelors of science in kinesiology with honours from Dalhousie University. Indeed, I passed nearly all of my courses with straight A+s and I conducted my own research to earn an honours, but I am not writing to you to brag about my “high achievements”. In fact, I am going to be honest and put myself in a vulnerable position today. I know that I am quite alright at reading, memorizing, and regurgitating information, even when I don’t see value or agree with that information, but my degree hasn’t equipped me with what I need to get to where I want to be.  I did learn many things that were very interesting and valuable to me over the last four years, and many of those things didn’t necessarily come from my educational “high achievements” perse.

In no way am I saying that I am not grateful for the amazing teachers and mentors I have been so privileged to have in my life. What I do want to communicate is that the last four years have taught me a lot more about myself and just being able to go through the experience of earning an undergraduate degree has changed me as a person in significant ways. I met many people who taught me about their own world, who influenced me to step outside of my comfort zone, and who have supported me without judgement as I grew and evolved into who I am today. The last four years have given me an experience that is a large part of who I am, and in my opinion, that has been my high achievement.

The very first response I get when I inform people that I am currently not searching for a job in the field of kinesiology nor did I apply to continue my education within an institution (i.e., University), is, 

“Well don’t let your degree go to waste!” said with intonations indicating that I somehow offended them.

I am sorry dear family or friend of mine, I have no intentions to offend you in any way. The challenge is walking away from this conversation with you feeling “content” about my decisions and understanding that a degree doesn’t mean the next step is my career. I am sitting here asking myself how I can take four years of reflection and growth and squeeze it into a sentence or two to help you understand me. 

The last few times I’ve attempted to answer your question, you walked away from me in disappointment, anger, frustration, and confusion and I have been left sitting there feeling the exact same way.

I’ll start off with a quote. Read it slowly.

 “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.”

- Albert Schweitzer.

Many of my colleges will walk away from their undergraduate degree with an education that has prepared them to start their careers down a path of health and human performance. Many others will be prepared to embark on their masters degree and conduct meaningful research to help improve our world in some way. Some, in fact, will even become doctors who will treat us when we fall ill. I think that is an amazing journey for them and I know they will do great things and be very successful in life.

Here’s where I come in, looking like a punk kid making mediocre money by selling homemade chocolate at the local farmers’ market- something I could have done without a very expensive undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. 

See. I understand you. I hear you, dear family and friend of mine.

What I can’t seem to fit into a sentence or two is that I am not on the pursuit of happiness. Rather, I am enjoying the happiness of my pursuit.

And you may ask now, “What does that even mean, Julianna?”

I’m glad you asked.

I am 22 years old, nearing the peak of my cognitive capabilities and performance (according to research that indicates mental performance peaks near 23 years of age). Right now, I am living my dreams to the fullest. And right now, that may not be your dreams to the fullest of me. And I don’t mean that my dream career is making chocolate for the rest of my life. What I mean is that right now…

1. I experience great joy from my job.

I dreamt of owning my own bakery when I was a kid, but I never had the courage to tell people that’s what I wanted to do. Now, I own my own chocolate company with a central focus on producing high-quality food while educating our customers face-to-face about the impact our food has on our bodies. I love every aspect it… For those who know me (aka follow me on Instagram), you know when I see food, I see art. I see exploration. I see science. I see each and every one of my cellular membranes being influenced by the quality of nutrients I put in my mouth. I get to share that passion by interacting with new people every day we set up at the Farmers’ Market. And no- I don’t want to see my chocolate business grow to be in Superstore or Walmart.  I dig and support the go-local movement #supportlocalYXE

2.  I have time for self-improvement.

I always over-commit myself with “productive” things to fill up my time hoping to seek greater fulfillment with my accomplishments. Currently, that go-go-go mentality has subsided and I am finally doing all the things I put aside for “later.” (Realizing that “later” is not a guarantee, and today is the day to pursue what drives me). I’m reading the books I’ve always wanted to read. I’m spending time outside and feeling the grass on the souls of my feet. I’m meditating and journaling every morning and night. I’m taking the time to give my worn-out brain the sleep it needs to detoxify. I’m saving money to travel to gain new experiences. My body deserves to experience the world around me and become mindful in every action I take during my time here on Earth.

3. I am learning and understanding topics I’m truly passionate about. 

During university, most of the work I did felt like work. Crunching numbers, worrying about proper citation formats, meeting deadlines. I love learning and I will spend the rest of my life a student, but the institution of university is not where I thrive. I wasn’t able to explore all the things that got me excited without being told that my paper is “out of the scope for this course.” Now I am fulfilling my eclectic areas of interest at my own pace by exploring and learning about the influences on our consumption patterns from some of the largest public relations campaigns in our history, the metabolic impact of ketogenic dietary practices, the concept of metabolism, the flaws in our view of “science”, the impact of my actions on those around me and the world I live in, all while reading the Bhagavad Gita (one of the most important, influential, and luminous Hindu scriptures). For now, a university curriculum is not what I’m searching for.

I may come off as a punk kid making mediocre money by selling homemade chocolate at the local farmers’ market, but even if I am, I’m enjoying the happiness in my pursuit. I am 22 years old, nearing the peak of my cognitive capabilities and performance. Please trust that I am not “wasting my degree”. Understand I am building on my background, I am connecting with deeper aspects of existence that far too many of us are being distracted from, and I am in no rush to become a highly-respected socially conformed well-paid professional whatever.

If you experience joy from your job, have time to dedicate to yourself and the ones you love, and are continuously pursuing what your biggest and wildest dreams are, then let’s talk more often and learn from each other. If not… then let’s talk more often and learn from each other without judgement, with open minds, and without the urge to compare one another based on our own journeys through life <3