Chasing that elusive Master's Degree

Throughout my life, a master's degree has appeared in different lights, according to who owns it: ostentatious, annoying, commanding, obvious, impressive, creative, incredulous. Now I see a new attribute for a Master's degree: mine.

When I left Penn State many years ago, I had an empty feeling on the field on Graduation Day. I hadn't really applied myself. Sure, the classes came and went and my grades usually reflected my effort. But I never gave attention to learning; like so many, I was just learning how to grow up, not really how to grow.

I promised myself that day that – some day – I'd pursue a Master's degree.

Since then, I always held up the Master's as a glorious, non-attainable achievement that only very smart people can attain. A simpleton like myself could never achieve a Master's degree. Then I started getting to know these people.

Most of my friends have them now, and seemingly, so do all my bosses. And I've founds some exceptions to the "very smart" rule.

So now I'm a Master's candidate: I'm working full-time, have two kids under the age of 5, and will graduate just before I turn 50. Now people in my office are saying, "If HE can get a Master's, so can I."

Anyway, my wife (above) is very proud of me, and that makes me feel pretty smart.

– Tom Sakell