For most, the end goal of a collegiate education is that beautiful sheet of paper, destined to be framed in mahogany, hanging in an office one day. A college diploma is a symbol of recognition and accomplishment.

The true significance of the document is not necessarily listed for all to see. I doubt college can be accurately summed up by merely showcasing the letterhead of the alma mater, the recipient’s name and concentration of curriculum.

Specific non-academic instances have had their impact on my education as a person. Somehow that lesson I learned when I almost flipped my Explorer over in my front yard does not make it to the format of the certificate. Although I did not receive a grade for how I dealt with that experience, I remember it ranking fairly high in my academic priorities that week.

My college education has hardly been confined to the classroom — it has been enriched by every moment both on and off campus. College has served as a transition full of opportunity for pseudo-responsibility, anywhere from viewing Math 101 as an emotional obstacle to overcome to incorporating over 100 opinions into a philanthropy project.

Tech has also acted as a fine backdrop for students such as myself to sufficiently alter preconceived life plans.

When I first arrived at Tech, my perception of just about everything was entirely different than it is now. I walked into my dorm room expecting to have a sensational experience for four years, before settling down with my phantom fiancé. Not to mention my excellent grade point average, which is the sole purpose to be brought up in conversations with hypothetical children in the future.

When asked which career I would prefer to pursue, I would say, “I am unsure, maybe writing for magazines?” when I was thinking, “I don’t exactly want to work when I grow up.” 

Something happened when Ashley Maudlin, a friend from the dorm, asked who the lucky guy was I had in mind. It was at that moment that my eyes were opened to the realization that my entire life plans revolved around a person who at the moment did not, and may never, exist.

This also provoked further contemplation on whether I would even be OK with getting engaged within the next two years.

All of a sudden, the jump from being concerned about the ideal Halloween costume of 2003 to picking a new last name seemed more real and scary than previous slumber party talk had made it out to be.

Genuinely shocked, I had to move to Plan B-- well, think of a Plan B.

So I began to listen a little more in class, not for a self-gratifying GPA, but just in case it was necessary information for a future employer.

Each day I adopt the independent career woman attitude a little more. If I embrace a career, I might as well enjoy it.

So thanks Tech, for letting me have a safe environment to make my mistakes and develop my revised, now realistic life plans.

Life stories are not attached to the degree, but I’m hoping the growth is apparent in the first interview.

 

Melissa Walker is a junior journalism major from Baton Rouge and serves as news editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to mew018@latech.edu.