It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Later
Working at a publishing company, it’s a particularly fitting analogy to use, “when one chapter ends, another begins.” It’s not easy to say but this is my last official blog post at Parables & Books.
As many of you know, I will be leaving at the end of the month to pursue a master’s degree in Spanish Linguistics with NYU Madrid. I am so excited to begin this journey to a whole new life. I’ve always envisioned myself in academia and this juncture is gearing me up for all that I need to accomplish. My ultimate goal of obtaining a doctorate in Sociolinguistics is just one step, one chapter, closer than it was before.
Living in Spain is sure to be an adventure, but there are certain challenges I’m going to face. Adapting to a whole new culture for an entire year is going to be difficult in of itself. Although, that is an exciting component of traveling and I probably won’t mind that so much. Still, there are many parts of my life that I’m, for the lack of a better word, abandoning. I will miss my niece, who just recently turned one-year old. I will miss the wedding of one of my oldest friends. I will miss the birth of a new niece or nephew.
All of these sacrifices, as challenging as they are sure to be, are what it takes to reach my goals. Nothing should ever stop you from going after what you need in life. Of course, everything is always easier said than done. But no matter what you’re trying to accomplish, “obstacles” will come in the way in some form or another. Keeping focus on what is most pressing to me has helped me make some important decisions.
Originally, after completing undergraduate school at Rutgers, my goal was to take some time off to apply directly to get my PhD. I didn’t get accepted anywhere. I was completely devastated. After realizing just how competitive it is, and particularly with only a BA under one’s belt, I worked an assortment of odd jobs. From interning in SoHo for an online photo crowd sourcing website, helping my father’s construction business, private tutoring, substitute teaching and most infamously waiting tables, I learned so much about life. Working in these different capacities helped me realize what my skill sets are and where my passions lie. Most importantly, I was able to draw comparisons and take what I learned in one field and apply it to a seemingly unrelated one, surprising others and myself along the way.
I’ll never forget my first day at Parables & Books; I was thrown into this completely other world and loved every minute of it. It hasn’t always been easy, yet I have continued to learn about myself through working here. When I got the opportunity to apply for this graduate program that seemed tailor-made for me, I jumped on it, knowing that all of my experiences had led up to that moment. Getting in has been one of the most gratifying events of my life.
My time here at Parables & Books has been exceptional. After almost an entire year, I have seen the company take shape and produce some stellar work, work that I have had a hand in developing. I am so excited for the continued growth and what’s in store for P&B. I will miss all of the people that I have had the opportunity to work with and wish them all only the best.
As I prepare for grad school, I’m also in the process of applying for a Fulbright grant to conduct independent research in Istanbul. I hope to do so immediately following the completion of my master’s program next year. Is it ambitious? Absolutely. But is it worth it? Without a doubt. God willing, I will get accepted and be able to do some awesome research. If not, I know that it’s because I need to be doing other things in my life first or instead. Now is the time to go after everything we want from life. I don’t want to regret not having tried something if it means that much to me.
I end this blog post encouraging you all to follow your dreams. Go after whatever you want, within reason, of course. Try your hardest at whatever you do. If you wait tables, take it seriously. Never look at what you do as menial or unimportant, because you never know how that experience will impact your life in some way. I don’t know for certain what the future holds for me. I just know that we’ll never get a glimpse of what we want from it if we don’t take initiative and be proactive.
Thank you, all. See you later.
“Life is like a novel. You can guess what will happen in the next chapter, but you will not know until you get there.”
Comments
Steve B. July 20, 2012 at 11:07 PM
Your laundry list of vocations sounds uncannily like mine to this point. Best of luck in whatever that next chapter of your life might hold, MJ!
Nadine July 30, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Matthew, it has been a pleasure. Great post and I hope once you are settled we get a least 1 more blog updated us on life in Spain as a grad student; your studies, the culture and so on. Best of luck to you and our prayers are with you!