Reflective Essay

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In life, timing can be everything and there was a time not too long ago when I didn’t know where the Masters in Applied Arts and Sciences degree could take me. The possibilities were endless and I knew this, I just didn’t know where I was headed. I only knew how bad I wanted the degree. As I am currently up for a promotion at work which will name me the showroom manager at Home Meridian International, I see those endless possibilities are actually just the beginning. It’s been a long road no doubt. But, I have persevered and become someone who people at my job look up to and believe in. I have many co-workers who tell me they do not know how I did it considering I am working two jobs; a full-time one and one part-time one. I tell them I did it because I really wanted to be successful.

I was asked by the head of marketing if this is what I wanted? Absolutely, I told her! This is why I went back to school, but I had no idea my job would offer such a huge promotion so soon. Nonetheless, this day that I sit here and write this reflection is one of the happiest times in my life. I have worked hard in the furniture industry for almost two decades and this is really the icing on the cake.

I can think back to how I got in the industry and never in a million years did I think of being a showroom manager. At the time, I was young and just happy to have a job. I was at Schnadig Furniture in High Point, NC and my parents felt since I was working I could go to college later. Even though I had a job, I knew one day I would go back to college and finish. When I first attending college in 1997, it would be awhile before I went back in 2007. This was a very emotional time for me as I had just lost my dad and I wanted to honor him by going back to school and getting my degree. My father was always pushing me to go to college so I could get a decent job, but I just didn’t know what I wanted to do or where I wanted my education to take me.

Little by little, I passed a class or two and things began to click. I grew more and more confident and began to realize I could do it. Obtaining that college degree seemed far off at first because some subjects were harder than others. Nothing to the degree that should have kept me from going to college, but it definitely hindered my decision making. Ultimately, I did it. Now, my whole question afterwards was why I had waited so long. This has been a very interesting journey for me as I learned to work algorithms and also jump into the environment of different people and gain an understanding there.

As I near the end of the Masters of Arts and Sciences program at UNCG, I know I take with me the skills to flourish in whatever path I choose. The only thing that could make this event better is to be able share it with my dad. Knowingly, this journey of achievements and happiness has become for me a place of reflection. The path to graduation has brought me to a place where I seek classes that feel like they are made for me to take and that they can speak to me personally. I have been giving the chance to open up and find something within myself that will make me better and allow me to focus my attention on enriching the lives of everyone I come in contact with.

In such case, there is a class that sparked my interest because it came from the title, Simple Living. Of course, I wanted to learn how to simplify my life and unwind from the hectic world in which I live. Not to say that I haven’t tried, but yes, working two jobs and going to school can get a little overwhelming at times. Plus, whenever possible I do like to ride motocross and hike nature trails.

So, the question would be what happened during and after I took the class? Well, to begin I learned to figure out just how much was enough. I learned I didn’t have to be consumed by the acquisition of goods. It made sense for me to save when possible and to take time out for myself. I hadn’t known I was so self-indulged on the things in life that did not matter. I wanted to get back what I had wasted. However, it was not about money. It was about time wasted. It was about the times in my life where I didn’t do something because of mixed feelings or other people. I needed to rely on what was really important to make things simple.

The normalcy I could find in making things more simple was calming and relaxing to my soul and the idea that it wasn’t over just yet left me no choice but to look forward and to simplify things. The first thing I did was I went motocross riding by myself. I took some time out for me. I put myself first and did something for the person inside who always wanted to get out on the weekends, but didn’t because of other reasons. I can honestly say that little moment riding freely really felt good. I had done something as simple as riding my bike and it felt so good to do it.

Another experience which really had a significant impact on me was  the opportunity I was afforded to work with some very passionate and friendly people who helped me complete a project about migrating families and what it is like to leave behind those we love in search of another place to live and prosper.

My project on Omar and Peter, who are two guys who came to America from totally different parts of the world, had an effect on me that was purposeful and enlightening. I have constantly thought about the people around me and I do not look at life as if I am owed something by being here. I am truly blessed to have the life I have. Everyone is not as fortunate as I am and I need to acknowledge this. These two individuals came from far away distances to live here and by attending the Literature of Migration class, I was able to tell their story of migration to my classmates.

The class titled Food and Film took me back to when my family used to prepare and cook meals together every night. I miss those days and sometimes I long for that feeling again. Had I known how impactful those moments would be to me now, hopefully I would have cherished them a little more. This class allowed for me to discuss and partake in cultural activities that would bring me closer to different groups of people through the exploration of food preparation and film while also being very symbolic of culturally proud people. I’m proud of the experience because I was able to find my own connection to family and traditions through the preparation and eating of a dish that I prepared with those I love.

I have to contribute the experiences and opportunities afforded to me by the Masters of Arts and Sciences program as a building block to where my future is headed. This program has been a true blessing. I can say it again that I plan to further my education as I only see the best in what I can become and by what the classes in this program offer an individual. My professional life has taken off and the respect from peers and colleagues alike is unmatched by anything I have ever witnessed.

It should never be taken for granted how I felt when my acceptance letter came. I never want to lose that feeling. I say with confidence that this is my motivation for the Doctorate program I will apply to. I have seen my life turn full circle. I have learned through the rigors of this program to appreciate everything that has come my way. The road traveled is not always the easiest, but it is always worth it when there is a prize at the end. I want my college education to be something other people can look back on and be inspired by. I want my family to know I was given a gift and I did the best I could with it.

My studies have taken me abroad and back. I studied the history of people I work with and I never knew how important and influential this could be to me. My work studying other people and their cultures brought their important issues about life and family to the forefront. The Reel World class was special because I was afforded the opportunity to study about great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi. Windows Into Hearts of Culture is another example of my continued effort to study different cultures and different traditions. There was much information taken away from these courses, such as origins of music and dance to the reasons why and how I can be a valued artist.

My experiences in the Science, Environment and Media course really gave me a much needed appreciation for our planet and the environment which we live in. I owe everything to this program and I just can’t say it enough how much these shared experiences have broaden my sense of awareness to the needs, and/or wants of other cultures and people. The MAAS program is a program where any student can find themselves in a place where things are different and the landing place is unknown. However, when the opportunity comes for that student to use that knowledge gained and to apply themselves to the situation; this student is and can be valuable asset.

My time in the program is one where I would repeat it if I could. I’ve become so ingrained in the expectations of the classes and the coursework that it will be truly missed. I tie this in to what my whole goal and focus was to begin with. I wanted to complete my undergraduate degree and make a better life for myself. While this was my driving force to attend UNCG and graduate, what came afterwards was a determination to do so much more. I now want to add to my resume all of my accomplishments and put myself in a position never thought of before to succeed.

I owe so much to the program and the professors. I consider this to be my time to reflect back on my experiences and to do much more than before. I do not want this to be the end of my learning or my growth. I have become addicted to pushing myself and challenging myself to do things I know some said could not be possible. I leave with the quote of a person who asked an important, but seemingly selfish question at the time. “What do you plan to do with that?” I say anything I want thanks to my graduate degree.