Imagine graduating with honors, armed and ready to take on the “real world.” Next comes the relocation, resume tune-up and what feels like endless job-hunting. In the end, that dream career requires a bit more training than what you’ve got. That is my story.

As I work towards my second degree, I know absorbing as much information as I can is more important than finishing in a rush.

Believe me, I love a good shortcut. Pressing Ctrl + Z to undo on my computer is one of my best friends. I almost took a shortcut towards my first degree as well. Having switched majors from fashion merchandising to general studies, I had the opportunity to graduate one semester ahead of schedule. It was a beautiful idea until I saw the bill for my summer classes. 

I’m glad I didn’t rush. I don’t think I would have explored my newfound love of writing had I been dead set on just breezing by. I definitely wouldn’t have taken martial arts here on campus with my best friends either, which would have left a bucket list item unfulfilled. 

Taking my time introduced me to experiences I would have ignored otherwise. It also equipped me to deal with tight circumstances both in school and out. After changing majors, I was left with even slimmer pickings for job opportunities on nationwide career boards. For all those who make jokes about liberal arts majors, that’s not cool. In the back of my mind, I knew I wanted to work in animation; I just didn’t know where to look.

The following year was spent in New York City, and it wasn’t easy. Thankfully, little pieces of my dream career puzzle started coming together, like learning about animation internships and the numerous lessons offered around the city to help further my craft.

Treating NYC like my learning experience truly helped me survive. My bosses were like my teachers, my schedules were equally demanding and there was a whole lot of walking. Tuition was paid in MetroCard fares, and moving back home was my graduation instead of my defeat.

Sometimes, I wonder if life could have been easier had I stuck with fashion merchandising. If I stuck to the curriculum as planned, maybe I would have found meaningful employment in NYC. But, would I have been as appreciative of the entire college experience if it was that cut and dry? Until someone invents a way to travel between parallel dimensions, I can’t answer that question. 

I can say learning as much as I could in each seemingly disjointed moment did more for me than rushing into the future would, and I believe this animation degree will carry more worth because of it.