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to those who've earned a post-secondary degree...

posted 5 years ago by filmgeek99 (671)
3 replies | jump to latest

Would you say that what you learned is your main passion in life? If not, what is?

I ask this, as I've come to a sudden realization recently that many people who, despite having studied a certain academic subject for many years, still don't really hold that much interest in said subject. I know a girl who's currently teaching psychology in university, but in my time getting to know her, I can see that despite all her academic credentials (PHD et. all), she really doesn't know much about any specific field of psychology. From what I can tell, she only chose it as her primary academic pursuit as a result of it being the easiest subject for her to get good grades in (after having struggled many years in school growing up). Her main passion in life, seems to be animals.

I also have a friend who's a psychiatric nurse but like her, he too seems very much like someone who got into that field as a result of it being a subject he did well at in school, rather than it being a burning passion for him. His main passion in life is clearly movies, as he's seen far too many weird, obscure foreign films for me to even count. Whenever he starts talking about anything even remotely related to psychiatry, he stumbles and falters as though he's Colin Firth from The King's Speech. The way he describes how he deals with psychiatric patients, sounds more like typical man-to-man, bro pep talk more than anything. After I told him I'm going to film school, he even openly admits to me that upon looking back, he wishes he had studied that instead. I feel bad for him.

I'm not saying of course, that anyone who's ever achieved a masters or a PHD degree, only chose that route because they enjoy being able to brag to friends how accomplished they are. I just see this as a common facet in the pathology of post-secondary grads.

So with that in mind, would you say that what you spent years upon years studying, is really your main passion in life? If not, what is? And more importantly, do you wish you had pursued that instead?

[–] actionkamen (23176) 5 years ago

I think having two separate field of work and personal passion is a good thing. Many people get frustrated on doing the thing they love NOT exactly in the way they love to do.

For example, her real passion might be animals. But working as a zoo worker or a dog breeder might not the way she imagine it would be. Professional works often have troublesome stuffs attached on them. Maybe it's terrible pay, or the need to appease customers, etc.

Doing one thing professionally and then have a passionate hobby can be a good solution. Yes, you're stressed on your work more, but at least it pays handsomely. Then you can unleash your own passion in a way that you like without many external considerations. Who cares if caring for animals doesn't make enough money, you already have a good paying day job. It would be more enjoyable than have to juggle your passion AND your boss' / customers' demands.

[–] nyctc7 (44089) 5 years ago

While some are able to combine both, I've always said that just because someone likes to fish doesn't mean they want to own a bait and tackle store.

[–] FredBurroughs (22230) 5 years ago

It usually helps to have a career path in mind before getting one.