Before I could truly define my goal in life, I believe it is necessary for me to experience more than just Ohio, more than just the United States, and more than just living in a cozy lifestyle that so many of us take for granted. There are so many people in this world who have much worse experiences than we do and we are constantly too consumed by our own lives to realize it. I have not experienced anything even similar to their lifestyles and I would need to expand my views before really deciding how I can make a difference.
Currently, I'm simply trying to finish my mechanical engineering degree at Ohio State, while bettering my fraternity. However, I do not really want to continue pursuing my degree. It just seems like what is expected of me by my parents and today's society in the United States. I will probably use my degree to find a good job to be financially stable, but what I really want to define my life is what I have learned about leadership and the relationships I have made with others. I do not want to look back from an office job when I am older and realized that I have done nothing to help others. Realistically, I would like to find a job in mechanical engineering that actually helps those in need, but still I don't believe this is really what is necessary to make a difference.
There are many people who make a difference in today's world. Whether it be giving to charity or doing community service activities, these people are helping improve the lives of others. These sometimes small actions can add up and make a huge difference. However, this might be my ego talking, but I want to make a strong, impactful difference that everyone could set apart from these smaller actions. To do this, I would need to step outside of the norms and honestly I am not sure I am ready yet. I look forward to gaining a better understanding of myself and the world as time passes on. For now, I will keep my mind open to new ideas and new experiences.
Andrew,
ReplyDeletePursuing a degree is indeed an expectation of parents and employers in todays times. But ther is more to this. First of all, a degree shows you have the ability to accomplish something. Employers (and others) also filter out candidates by education. When a hiring manager is presented with four hundred resumes, the first and easiest way to prune this pile into manageable numbers is by degree (or lack thereof). Many employment situations involve insurance (such as driving a company car) or bonding (handling cash, or working with children). The demographics of risk show that a degree reduces the risk and business cost. The third paradigm is a bit more esoteric. Whenever I have worked in a group of degreed and non-degreed employees, all doing essentially the same thing, I (and others) have noticed a spirit of striving and constantly having to prove oneself, among the non-degreed. For what you want to do (which is noble) a degree will open the doors and lead to the opportunities that you will otherwise not find.
Life goes in cycles, some of which are fairly predictable. Demographically, you will find you have a lot in common with those about 40 years older than yourself, and I am sure you have felt much frustration with the Gen-X attitude of many who are only ten years older than you. Your fraternity will provide you with links to those who are about my age (63). Acacia, like many fraternities, declined in the seventies, but there are quite a few from the sixties who are retired, or soon to retire who share your vision.
Personally, I would suggest you pursue a position with a Fortune 500 company with a fast track program. For example General Electric has the Edison Engineer program. Between Ohio State, Acacia and GE, you will have a leadership and management education that is world class and an excellent foundation for your vision.
cheers,
Mike O'Dorney
RPI 256