The Point of Having a Degree
Hello and welcome back! This topic may sound pretty straight forward to some, but I can guarantee there are very opposing views on it. I have two degrees: my first one being in science, Bsc. My first two years were the basic science requirements that everyone takes in a science degree. Honestly, these first two years are the hardest. The courses are very general, and you cover a lot of material over a lot of different subjects. The books are extremely heavy and large, and it is a huge jump from high school to university.
I attended the University of Alberta for both of my degrees. My second degree is in teaching - High school math and physics, because that is where my interests are and what I felt most passionate about. (This is coming from someone who once wanted to get into tax law).
During both degrees, I worked full time at my Sobeys job. I didn’t love it, but I had to pay for bills and my car. I ended up getting grants and student loans for my education, and still have a hefty loan payment to this day. After both degrees, I ended up working at Sobeys again, until I finally found my passion, creating art and content and establishing my Youtube channel, blog and sticker shop.
So, you might ask - what was the point? Why did I waste all that time and money on school merely to do something entirely different? Well, I have a couple of answers for you.
The first is that when I first started, there was a lot of pressure on me to go to school. My stepdad said either go to school, or get a job and move out. So, I went to school. (Back story here was I didn't get time to think about what I truly wanted when I was in Grade 12). My stepdad uprooted us when I was in Grade 11. We moved across country from Alberta, Canada to New Brunswick, Canada. By the end of Grade 12, there was the possibility of moving back to Alberta. I had applied to both universities in each province just in case, and we ended up coming back to Alberta. In both cases, I left behind friends and the comfortability factor. I was out of my element both times and it left me with this sense of no roots, and no ties. When we came back, I was out of touch with my friends and there was no sense of belonging. When we first left Alberta, we moved from Sherwood Park which is just outside of Edmonton, and which is where I went to school. When we came back, we moved to Edmonton so it was an entirely different ball game.
So, I started school. I think the process in which we came back, and my feelings towards it already gave me a bad start. I ended up skipping classes and I didn't write any of my final exams, since I was already failing. I ended up getting kicked out of university.
At that time, my mom and stepdad were going through a divorce. I ended up working at Sobeys and I moved in with my boyfriend. I went back to school two years later, and completed my science degree. Well, you might think at this point I would have know what I wanted. Technically, in my head I did - I wanted to become a meteorologist. That’s why I majored in Earth & Atmospheric Science. I was taking all the atmospheric science courses I could so I could eventually get in as a weather person. Well, it turns out it just wasn’t my calling.
When I was done my degree, I fell back working at Sobeys again. At the time, it was a good backup plan for bills. Another couple of years working, and I felt passionate about being a teacher. I had always wanted to teach, even from when I was a toddler, pretending to write on a chalkboard. So, I completed my after degree.
If life hadn't gotten in the way, I probably would have made it. My new boyfriend at the time decided he didn’t want to be with me anymore. The problem is, we had bought a house together and I had done all the renovations. We had walked into some trouble by buying a foreclosure. Once we signed, the condo board decided to let us know we had to get a $25,000 loan to pay for the roofing and siding of all the buildings. It was yet another super stressful time in my life. I was just finishing up my degree, and my boyfriend left me and wanted me out of the house. I had no where to go, but my sister and I eventually moved in together. I finished up my degree with low marks and low attendance from all the “life” stuff I had to deal with. (I was still trying to work full time at Sobeys on top of this).
Instead of applying for jobs right after school, I waited a year and applied. Of course all the brand new graduates from the new year took all the jobs. Besides, my low marks held me back. Then, I found out I was pregnant with my son and the rest was history. I remained at Sobeys until two years ago when I started my online business and fell in love with my work.
So…
What was the point?
Well, in most cases, when one starts out in school, they have a solid foundation (from their parents) and know where their interests lie. (Please keep in mind that NO ONE knows where they’ll end up later in life. You might love something at 18 but completely change your mind by the time you’re 25. You are still a kid at 18 and don’t really know what’s best for you, especially if you are still living at home). TRUST ME.
Also, if you spend more time or money on your degree, you are more likely to stick with that area of expertise. For example, becoming a doctor or lawyer, or something that requires a very specialized area of expertise.
If you go to a community college, it’s easier to get hands on work experience. Here in Alberta, we have two schools that specialize in that - Nait in Edmonton, and Sait in Calgary. You generally take two years of schooling, and then are able to gain valuable paid work experience in the form of a practicum from actual companies. The chances of the company hiring you once you complete your program is very high.
So again, what is the point of my education?
Well, I can certainly tell you I feel like I failed on so many levels. My exes would certainly tell you that. But now, knowing what I know, I choose to look at my past differently. I learned so much. I learned knowledge, and life experiences while working at my paid job. I lived on my own, and had to take care of myself and my problems. It wasn't easy; sometimes life downright sucked rocks.
The most important thing I learned from my degrees and going to school for so long is persistence, motivation, perseverance and commitment. I also learned that something worthwhile deserves to be earned…not handed to you on a silver planner. Blood, sweat and tears make you a better person. You live and learn from your experiences and interactions with other people. Plus, I actually picked up interesting and worthwhile information from my classes. I may not use the information in my job, but it sure is worthwhile in the most weird situations. I am a life long learner, a habit I picked up from school, and I have learned to question everything. I no longer watch the news and absorb that information. I take it, take what I know from my degrees and meld it together along with my life experience and throw out the parts that are not true, and that don’t make sense. I learned to think for myself, and use reasoning, good judgement and logic to make fair and worthwhile decisions - about life, and business.
If you are looking to work for someone else, a degree will tell them a lot about you. Even if the job you’re applying for has nothing to do with the degree, they will be more likely to hire you than if you had no education at all. It shows a potential employer that you’re more likely to see a job through and think logically through problems that arise.
Has this article given you food for thought? Do you disagree? Let me know in the comment section down below.
Sandra 💛
