I recently made the difficult decision to take a leave of absence from my graduate studies. This thought has been lingering for several months, in fact, it began after my completing my undergraduate thesis and realizing that I was ready for a break from academia. Twenty-two years old is an extremely young age to start grad school. Despite advice to spend a few years in the workforce, I went ahead. I spent an intense summer as an intern at IDEO and thought that I had a sufficient idea of what working life was like. My three months at IDEO was only a small taste of reality. I need more.
Leaving school in the middle of midterms was definitely a liberating feeling. I have no idea what to expect of tomorrow. For the first time, I don’t have a plan. If you know me at all, you are probably thinking “that must be driving him crazy.” To both of our surprise, it isn’t. I feel really good about it. I’m taking control by losing control.
Currently, I’m giving myself time to think. I’m taking time to explore all the new opportunities that are now available to me. I’m taking this time while I still have the time.
Before announcing the winner of Command X, Bonnie Siegler presented words of encouragement that I will never forget.
“Ryan, we were impressed with what you accomplished in 24 hours,” she said, speaking for Chip Kidd, Paul Sahre and guest judge Connie Dyson of the National Civil Rights Museum, “We are excited to see what you can do with a a little more time, and with the rest of your life.”
So yeah, I’m taking my time and I’m excited about it too.
Finally, I will leave you with some more words of encouragement from another inspiring source, Billy Joel. As corny as it is, the lyrics to Vienna put a lot into perspective when making this decision. You just never know where you’ll find advice the best advice on life.
Slow down, you’re doing fine
You can’t be everything you want to be before your time
Too bad but it’s the life you lead
you’re so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you’re wrong, you know
You can’t always see when you’re right.
You’ve got your passion, you’ve got your pride
but don’t you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?
One Comment
well said! good for you, I know if I hadn’t taken the time I needed between undergrad and grad, I’d be a miserable lawyer right now, or maybe a poor hippie in Rome. now you’ll have time to come over for dinner!