"Cease conceiving of education as mere preparation for later life, and make it the full meaning of the present life." - John Dewey
I am an engineer. The last four years of my life have revolved around mastering problem solving techniques. In classes, there's always one right answer to a homework question or test problem. Occasionally, there are multiple approaches to the problem at hand, but they all achieve the same end result. Reaching the correct solution give me a sense of closure and achievement. I know how to operate in this space and I do it well.
I am also a human. The last four years of my life have also revolved around exploring who I want to be. But the engineer’s mindset I’ve so carefully nourished is no good here. There isn’t one right answer to life and my journey has revolved around learning to come to terms with this fact.
I arrived at UW from a school where I easily made top grades and while I was eager to socialize, my personality doesn’t lend itself to initiating social connections. On paper everything was off to a great start. My grades were strong, I had supportive parents, a handful of new friends, and stayed out of trouble. Yet I spent a lot of time that first year feeling out of place. I was following “the plan” but not getting the desired results. My logical mind didn’t know how to handle this disconnect. So I did the unthinkable and strayed from the plan, though it was more that I widened the path then changed its direction. Since then I’ve travel halfway around the world, held several club leadership positions, and interned in a town 6 hours away from anyone I knew. Were these things comfortable? No. Were they worth it? Yes. My personality hasn’t changed that much, but I’ve developed the ability to overcome my initial reservations and pursue the unknown and uncomfortable.
Graduation is looming near. I’m still hunting for a job, my lease ends soon, and many of my friends will be moving away. If I thought coming to college was a scary, new endeavor then leaving college is 100 times scarier. I know I like to have a plan. But I’ve learned to be at peace with the uncertainty of my future.
I am also a human. The last four years of my life have also revolved around exploring who I want to be. But the engineer’s mindset I’ve so carefully nourished is no good here. There isn’t one right answer to life and my journey has revolved around learning to come to terms with this fact.
I arrived at UW from a school where I easily made top grades and while I was eager to socialize, my personality doesn’t lend itself to initiating social connections. On paper everything was off to a great start. My grades were strong, I had supportive parents, a handful of new friends, and stayed out of trouble. Yet I spent a lot of time that first year feeling out of place. I was following “the plan” but not getting the desired results. My logical mind didn’t know how to handle this disconnect. So I did the unthinkable and strayed from the plan, though it was more that I widened the path then changed its direction. Since then I’ve travel halfway around the world, held several club leadership positions, and interned in a town 6 hours away from anyone I knew. Were these things comfortable? No. Were they worth it? Yes. My personality hasn’t changed that much, but I’ve developed the ability to overcome my initial reservations and pursue the unknown and uncomfortable.
Graduation is looming near. I’m still hunting for a job, my lease ends soon, and many of my friends will be moving away. If I thought coming to college was a scary, new endeavor then leaving college is 100 times scarier. I know I like to have a plan. But I’ve learned to be at peace with the uncertainty of my future.