A typical situation
Student: I am thinking about doing a Master’s.
Me: That’s exciting! What programs are you looking into?
Student: Well, I’m thinking about school ___ because they have a really good reputation for ___. To be honest I don’t really like ___ but I know that with a degree in it I’ll be able to get a
good job.
Me: I see. Have you taken a class in ___?
Student: Yeah, I did, and it was ok. I did ok in it. So I know that I could do a whole Master’s in it.
Me: But you didn’t really like it?
Student. Right. But I need to get a good job because I am supporting myself financially/I have to
take care of my family.
Me: What classes have you taken so far that you really did liked?
Student (lighting up): Oh! I really loved your course in _. And I took a class in _, that was
really great too.
Me: Great! So, have you considered a Master’s in any of those subjects?
Student: I would actually love to do that, but I’m afraid that I won’t get a job afterwards.
My next step in this conversation is to coach the student to see the fact that they are letting fear
of scarcity run their life. In actuality, they have been lucky enough to find subjects and topics
that make them light up, that really interest them. I hold that truth up for them to see.
What I have noticed is that when we pursue studies and work in areas that really interest us, we
are not only happier, but we are most likely to be successful.
There is a piece of art made by Julie Hayward in Vienna’s eighth district that says, “don’t try to
be an apple if you are a banana. You will always be a second rate apple...” It fits here perfectly.
Don’t study X if you actually love Y. Studying X is what makes you feel safe, maybe, but it’s not
going to make you happy and you’re not going to be as great at it as you would be at Y. We only
live once. Pursuing the interests that make you you is your path to success.
Then I always ask the students to send me a postcard from the place they’re doing their
Master’s. Those cards, written from a place of courage and trust, are the decor for my own
happy place.
