Every time I meet someone new, I inevitably get asked, “What do you do?” In the past, it was simple for me to respond that I’m an engineer, reflecting my college education. My partner, however, receives the same question and often hesitates, lacking a traditional job or a degree.
When he shares that he never attended college, I’ve noticed that some people react with pity, as if to say, “Oh, I guess you’re not smart enough.” In those moments, I quickly interject, “Actually, he stays home with our child and excels at it. While many of us were busy with studies and socializing, he dedicated six years to serving our country in the Navy and traveling the globe. Despite not having a full-time job now, he has nearly a decade of experience in electronics and can handle just about anything.”
It frustrates me that society often relies on labels and titles, leading people to overlook more meaningful questions about someone’s life, such as:
- “Where did you grow up?”
- “What are your favorite hobbies or films?”
- “What led you to your current path?”
Even though I hold a college degree, defining my identity isn’t straightforward either. I studied engineering, but it wasn’t my passion. Fortunately, I found a law firm that recognized my abilities and has been training me to work on patents for innovative concepts. Now, when asked about my career, people seem puzzled by my shift from engineering to a legal role, which highlights another issue with the emphasis on college credentials: just because I studied one subject doesn’t mean I’m limited to it.
In fact, I would have loved to major in English, but I felt my writing skills were already strong upon graduating high school, so I decided to explore my interests in math and science. I’m convinced that even without a university education, I would have carved out my unique path. Society tends to undervalue those without degrees, but that perception is misguided. Many believe that only degree holders achieve success, and only in their fields, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
I know numerous mothers with degrees in fields like finance, education, theology, or nursing who have chosen to stay home with their kids. There’s no classroom that prepares you for the challenges of parenting—no textbooks for handling sleepless nights or navigating the decision to homeschool. What does that suggest about the significance of college degrees?
This reality underscores that while college can provide valuable skills, it doesn’t define worth. My engineering background honed my research and problem-solving abilities, which are applicable in various situations, whether I’m evaluating a building’s structure or tackling a patent office rejection. Both scenarios involve setting clear goals and identifying obstacles, allowing me to devise a plan to succeed.
The same can be said for mothers. A finance degree often means they manage household finances, while a nursing degree equips them to make critical health decisions for their children. There are also many successful business owners who skipped formal education, millionaires who left college, and brilliant scientists who thrived outside traditional classrooms. It’s all about how we utilize our knowledge, and I refuse to be reduced to just one piece of paper.
I am more than just an engineer. I’m a mother, a spouse, a writer, a technical consultant, a swimmer, a creative thinker, a discerning eater, and a philanthropist.
Never feel like you wasted your degree because you chose a path that suits your life better, whether that’s in a different field or staying at home. What you’ve learned will come into play when it matters. Even if you’re not in an office, your skills enrich your family’s life, and that’s something to be proud of.
A college degree may come with a hefty price tag, but it cannot define your identity. It merely indicates that you pursued and completed a course of study. While it holds value, it’s not the entirety of who you are. Hopefully, one day, society will recognize that individuals—who are talented, intelligent, and capable—are not solely defined by their degrees.
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