u/Yumismash

(Sorry for the long-winded post)

Hi there. I graduated from UCSB in 2022 with a degree in Anthropology. I was a transfer student and originally was a Comm major that unfortunately had to switch majors. I got a C in one pre-req class and I tried to appeal but they wouldn't allow me to continue. When I spoke with an advisor, they were selling me on Anthropology because I told them ultimately I'd like to be employable.. I had a Marketing and Business development internship while in school as well..

Worst decision I probably made tbh.

Anyway, I did have job offers and I worked in the entertainment industry and video game industry doing receptionist and customer support work. That customer support job at the video game publishing company I worked at (505 Games) was the best job I had. Unfortunately, they laid off 30% of the entire company 2 days before Thanksgiving in 2023. On top of that, my dad got sick with cancer so I ended up just becoming a full time caregiver until he passed. After he passed, I threw myself into a Cardiovascular sonography program. Why? Well, a lot of pressure from my bf's mom... she knew I hadn't been working because I was laid off + caregiving but it seemed like as soon as he died everyone expected me to just hop back into working. I needed time. I just went through the most challenging time of my life plus dealing with grief.. so I wanted a couple moments to breathe... I didn't get that though. She told me if I did the program she would just hire me afterwards. So I did what she said, and the Drs where she works isn't hiring new grads now. Lol

So that put me to where I am now. My BA cost me $18k due to scholarships etc, and this stupid associates I got cost me $45k (lol). Why not work as a tech? Well, I found out through clinicals I kind of hate the work and its super physically demanding. So what do I do?

Honestly, everything I've done in my life so far has been for other people. I wanted to get their approval and to be accepted. I'm over it now. It hasn't served me at all nor gotten me the respect or praise I've been wanting this whole time. So... without making any rash decisions, I'd like to know how viable/worth it it is to maybe try to obtain a masters and a PhD in something I am actually interested in... the issue is, is I may be biting off more than I can chew because of what I'd like to do.

If possible, I wanted to look into physics. I've always been obsessed with space, NASA, telescopes, sci-fi... I always wanted to take part in it. A friend of mine whom vanished off the face of the earth (social media, haha) I looked up yesterday to see what she was doing career wise since we hadn't spoke in so long, and she's now Dr. Lauren Schatz that works for the Air Force at the Starfire program in Albuquerque, NM. Working with sodium lasers and all sorts of cool optics. She's an award winning physicist now. It was awe inspiring.

Here I am, someone who hasn't accomplished a fraction of what she has, now looking at myself in the mirror asking if this is the life I want? How much time do I have left? What can I do and is it possible? Is it practical?

I appreciate anyone's thoughts and suggestions. I'm feeling pretty lost at the moment.

​

(Sorry for the long-winded post)

Hi there. I graduated from UCSB in 2022 with a degree in Anthropology. I was a transfer student and originally was a Comm major that unfortunately had to switch majors. I got a C in one pre-req class and I tried to appeal but they wouldn't allow me to continue. When I spoke with an advisor, they were selling me on Anthropology because I told them ultimately I'd like to be employable.. I had a Marketing and Business development internship while in school as well..

Worst decision I probably made tbh.

Anyway, I did have job offers and I worked in the entertainment industry and video game industry doing receptionist and customer support work. That customer support job at the video game publishing company I worked at (505 Games) was the best job I had. Unfortunately, they laid off 30% of the entire company 2 days before Thanksgiving in 2023. On top of that, my dad got sick with cancer so I ended up just becoming a full time caregiver until he passed. After he passed, I threw myself into a Cardiovascular sonography program. Why? Well, a lot of pressure from my bf's mom... she knew I hadn't been working because I was laid off + caregiving but it seemed like as soon as he died everyone expected me to just hop back into working. I needed time. I just went through the most challenging time of my life plus dealing with grief.. so I wanted a couple moments to breathe... I didn't get that though. She told me if I did the program she would just hire me afterwards. So I did what she said, and the Drs where she works isn't hiring new grads now. Lol

So that put me to where I am now. My BA cost me $18k due to scholarships etc, and this stupid associates I got cost me $45k (lol). Why not work as a tech? Well, I found out through clinicals I kind of hate the work and its super physically demanding. So what do I do?

Honestly, everything I've done in my life so far has been for other people. I wanted to get their approval and to be accepted. I'm over it now. It hasn't served me at all nor gotten me the respect or praise I've been wanting this whole time. So... without making any rash decisions, I'd like to know how viable/worth it it is to maybe try to obtain a masters and a PhD in something I am actually interested in... the issue is, is I may be biting off more than I can chew because of what I'd like to do.

If possible, I wanted to look into physics. I've always been obsessed with space, NASA, telescopes, sci-fi... I always wanted to take part in it. A friend of mine whom vanished off the face of the earth (social media, haha) I looked up yesterday to see what she was doing career wise since we hadn't spoke in so long, and she's now Dr. Lauren Schatz that works for the Air Force at the Starfire program in Albuquerque, NM. Working with sodium lasers and all sorts of cool optics. She's an award winning physicist now. It was awe inspiring.

Here I am, someone who hasn't accomplished a fraction of what she has, now looking at myself in the mirror asking if this is the life I want? How much time do I have left? What can I do and is it possible? Is it practical?

I appreciate anyone's thoughts and suggestions. I'm feeling pretty lost at the moment.