Congraduations Class of 2008

No -- I didn't misspell Congratulations -- it's a portmanteau

Ah, commencement time . . . the end of one thing, beginning of the next. It's crazy to think that this time of year, five years ago, I was standing cap & gown with the Hiram College Class of 2003. At that point, I already had a job lined up, a couple of roommates and a plan to sign the lease for an apartment the morning of our Senior Trip to NJ & NYC.

Little did I know exactly what I was getting into.

Five years later: I'm in a house, I'm making my first car payments, at the same job I had after graduation (pretending those few months at the Bingo Factory never happened). Life is good. But seeing all of my friends who kept going with school, and who are received additional degrees this week, I have to wonder; is that for me?

I recall in one of my high school classes, we were taking a poll of those going to college. Who has a parent that has never been to college? Both parents? Who will be the first in their family to get a degree? I believe that my generation has a major advantage in that everybody that I knew growing up who wanted to go to college was able to find a way. I don't think that the same can be said for the generation of our parents. Both of my parents have been fortunate enough to each have a Master's Degree. But, what does that mean for me? Its a little bit of pressure.

I'd thought about grad school before. In fact, months before that time five years ago, I had applied to a program at The University of North Carolina. I was very excited about the program involving virtual reality there. But, I was not accepted to the program; and into the working world I went.

More recently, I'd been thinking about taking some art/design classes. One of the most difficult things for software engineers is to come up with user interfaces that are both attractive and functional. If I were to ever get serious about venturing into writing software for a small business of my own, I think a background in design would be extremely useful. But, am I ready to actually go back to having class, doing homework, reading assignments, ugh! I don't think so, not quite yet. Maybe someday.

But I digress . . . Congrats to all who graduated. Its a lot of hard work and I have the utmost respect for you. As you start the next step in your lives, remember to never stop learning. . . and something about sunscreen.