Well, I am officially graduated. For some reason people seem to think that walking across a stage and picking up a cardboard roll means that your whole life is going to change in all these wonderful and fantastic ways. "And what are you going to do now?" I get asked. The same thing I have done for the last 30-some years. And, no, I am not going to get an increase in pay. Sorry to disappoint you, folks, but this whole experience has been somewhat like being in a play. It's over and now we are back to ordinary time. (A phrase I particularly like--it doesn't come from theater, but from liturgical Christianity, specifically Catholicism, and means the time in between the major holiday seasons. So: there is showtime and there is ordinary time.)
The speeches really weren't bad at all. None of your the sky's the limit nonsense. At this school they recognize the fact that many students are working and nontraditional. One professor spoke of juggling work and school, how at first the boss and everyone are 100% behind your decision to go to school, then someone gets sick or goes on vacation or maternity leave and it's right before a big paper is due or a test, but, can you step in for Susie while she is off? And so you do, because you really don't have any choice, meanwhile the professors pile on assignments like theirs is the only class you have to take--she could have been talking about my experience. I had to laugh though when she told us to go in to our bosses Monday morning and tell them that now that you have your degree you are more valuable to the company so you should have a raise. Yeah, right. Nice try but it isn't going to happen.
Anyway, while we were waiting for our names to get called, I found that the guy sitting next to me was an alumnus of that notorious institution called The Rat Factory (not its real name), which I also worked at until its demise. It was incredible, and unless you lived through it, you have no idea what it was like. If you did, I'm sure you have plenty of stories to share! Awful is not the word for it. It was unique. It was a place where being fired was a reason for celebration. Nietzsche once said "that which does not kill you makes you stronger." I think he must have been a Rat Factory alumnus as well. Now, that was an education!
And then it was time to go up on stage and get our diploma cases and shake everyone's hand. It sure felt strange being on stage without lines to speak. The auditorium was packed and people were waving and screaming, but I didn't hear a sound. It was just like being in a movie. And then it was over.
The speeches really weren't bad at all. None of your the sky's the limit nonsense. At this school they recognize the fact that many students are working and nontraditional. One professor spoke of juggling work and school, how at first the boss and everyone are 100% behind your decision to go to school, then someone gets sick or goes on vacation or maternity leave and it's right before a big paper is due or a test, but, can you step in for Susie while she is off? And so you do, because you really don't have any choice, meanwhile the professors pile on assignments like theirs is the only class you have to take--she could have been talking about my experience. I had to laugh though when she told us to go in to our bosses Monday morning and tell them that now that you have your degree you are more valuable to the company so you should have a raise. Yeah, right. Nice try but it isn't going to happen.
Anyway, while we were waiting for our names to get called, I found that the guy sitting next to me was an alumnus of that notorious institution called The Rat Factory (not its real name), which I also worked at until its demise. It was incredible, and unless you lived through it, you have no idea what it was like. If you did, I'm sure you have plenty of stories to share! Awful is not the word for it. It was unique. It was a place where being fired was a reason for celebration. Nietzsche once said "that which does not kill you makes you stronger." I think he must have been a Rat Factory alumnus as well. Now, that was an education!
And then it was time to go up on stage and get our diploma cases and shake everyone's hand. It sure felt strange being on stage without lines to speak. The auditorium was packed and people were waving and screaming, but I didn't hear a sound. It was just like being in a movie. And then it was over.
