“They” say that education is wasted on the young.
I finally agree with “them”.
We attended a high school jazz program last night and Dean asked me if I wish I were still there (in HS). My response was mixed. In reality, my response is/was I want to be in HS NOW, not go BACK to HS. I generally enjoyed my HS experience, but, though we had opportunities, the opportunities today are far more advanced (and plentiful) then “back in my day”. The classes and hours are structured differently, which gives more options (I like options!) and, as I said, opportunity.
So, what would I tell my 16 year old self now?
Pick.
I was pretty proud of myself my senior year in HS. Up until that time, you had to be in “regular” choir in order to be in the advanced (well, actually SHOW) choir. They changed that rule my senior year. And I was the first (and at that time the only) one to take advantage of that. It was a mistake… I struggled through HS because I LOVED playing the trombone, but, I had more friends in choir. So, subsequently, I could never PICK. I tried to do both. Well, I DID do both. I was always in band. And was in choir (or SHOW choir!). But I SHOULD have chosen to stick with trombone. I wasn’t in jazz band. I couldn’t fit 3 music classes into a 6 class period day.
So, I dabbled in both. I have always wanted my cake, and eat it too, with a cherry on top on a fancy plate. I have always loved the options, even if I didn’t NEED them.
And here we are.
Some would say because my options are so open, I have so many opportunities. I am finding that the lack of focus has left me directionless. I feel I was lied to. Several years ago I was told by higher education people that companies were looking for people like me with a varied set of abilities and backgrounds. As online employment agencies and algorithms have advanced, they are looking for keywords. I don’t have C++ or BSN or Sr. VP in my resume. I have “bass playing home remodeler with a technology background”. Those algorithms clearly overlook me.
And when something DOES come along, I fear that I am being boxed in.
Can I not play trombone on one hand and hold a power drill in the other while talking on my Bluetooth headset?
I offer advice to a friend trying to get him to see that he is obsessing about the things which he cannot control to the detriment of the things he CAN control.
Perhaps I should use similar logic in my own life.
to be continued.
