Past Editorials
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October 2003 |
Graduation Day A little over two years ago, I embarked on a journey that I should have done in the '70: to finish college. My life's fate, with some luck, gave me many reasons why college was not really necessary. Bill Gates and Albert Einstein respectively dropped out or went to college only when it was deemed necessary. I found a decent job that has kept me well (financially) for 29 years. I got busy pursuing my personal life and also experienced plenty or travel opportunities - while having lots fun and experiencing trials and tribulations along the way. Two years passed by in a blink of an eye (so it now seem). I've done it. I've finally completed college, not with a BS in Engineering that I started out at University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, but a BS in Information Technology at University of Phoenix in SF, California. I recall around the midpoint of this undertaking, I questioned myself if what I was doing was really necessary. I asked myself what I am doing to my aging body and mind. Can an "old fart" still have the capability and energy to go back to school and have an academic acumen - while still working full time to make a living? The hardships and difficulty of focusing and balancing work, family, and school was too demanding. I though about just quitting. Yet, I know I had to do this to prove to myself that it can be done. I thought I can still go through the rigors of academic exercises and, perhaps this time, learn the right way. I also know this was something that was missing and was much needed on my CV. Finally, I wanted to do this to be an example to my children. I want to instill in them the value and importance of (higher) education, particularly in today's very competitive market. In fact, I want to instill this to any or all children who would listen to me. In retrospect, I am glad I did this now rather than 30 years ago. Why? Education has tremendously improved its delivery system since then. There could never be a better time than NOW to go to school. Better books, improved technology and tools, including computers and the Internet are such an added advantage. Imagine, I was using a slide-rule to calculate the cosine of 30 degrees when I was in 2nd year engineering in 1973. Unfortunately, education is now an expensive proposition. Just as I experienced, I am sure not too many would have had the means to pay for this so easily. I got lucky. The firm supported me. The only other thing I needed to have was the desire and utmost commitment to learn, to persevere, and to work hard (plus there is an incentive that I had to have a good grade to get a reimbursement). I recall writing down the following in my personal journal awhile back. Bill Gates, when asked in an interview for the secret to success, answered:
The past two years can be considered a "success" then. I focused on a vision to get a Bachelor's Degree. The timing was perfect because I was able to obtain financial sponsorship and that there is a program available that caters to working adults. The immediate and massive action is everything I had to do to get it all done. There was even a bounty of bonuses. Along the way, I learned much more beyond just "IT." Although I filled in many of the knowledge gaps from my real world IT work experiences and skills, I also learned more about myself and my place on earth. To the chagrin of my classmates, I attest that System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology can be used for just about everything really. I valued and appreciated the Philosophy and Critical Thinking courses; I also enjoyed the Ethics and Business courses. Even the last minute "crash course" in Macroeconomics for my segment for the final GEN480 presentation have now aroused me towards a new field of interest. I also learned the value and importance of working with colleagues, of diversity, of team collaboration, and of group competition. Having more heads at a problem are better than one. More so today, I believe that it takes a village to support someone to college. I am grateful to the managers at the Big "B" for their financial backing. I am also thankful to my family and friends who have been supportive, understanding, and giving. Now, they realize why I often said at times lines such as, "Sorry, I can't play." "I'm busy," "I have a paper to research and write," or "I have a project to complete for a final presentation." I went for an BS in IT - but I gained so much more. I hope to augment all of these as I pursue my next goals and my dreams. When the timing is right, you know darn well I will once again take the immediate and massive action to pursue the plans and goals ahead. For starters, I now need to work on what I originally wrote in my goal planner - "MBA by 50." In perspective, the BS degree is actually just 50% of my target. Along the way... I know I will need to find balance between work, family, and studying. And I if I tend to tip the scale more towards studying for the next two more years... people whom I love will once again understand and support and cheer me on. But today, it is a time to celebrate a job well done. It is also a time to count my blessings. I am in deep gratitude to many:
Thank you all for your support! Finally, I dedicate this accomplishment to my now departed mother and father. Since I know you two are still watching over us, I want to thank you both for giving me the love and the head start learning since childhood and for instilling all the good values that we should strive for. ~ Mr. Dave Chance, sorry for ending the sentence with a preposition = ; ) ~ |