Passion is not enough?

There’s something I’ve been wanting to blog about for a while. I’ve actually talked about this with other people in my class and I’m glad there’s a general consensus that they get bothered by this question too. There’s nothing greater than a table full of people asking you the following:
what are you going to “be” when you graduate?
what is international development?!
what kind of job can you get with that degree?
what are you going to do after school?
Oh so you’re going to be helping people do chores in Africa (on my placement)?
Then after all of these questions come at you like shrapnel from a bomb you just want to pretend you didn’t hear them. Ok so it is nice when people are generally interested in what you are doing, especially when they know about development issues and are actually interested in your degree, but these questions make me want to pull out all my hair.
Answers:
I am going to be a graduate and have a degree in environmental studies and a diploma in environmental impact assessments when I am finished school. Is that cool? or do I need to be a doctor, engineer, nurse, mechanic? what is in a title? credibility? so frustrating.
As to what international development is, that’s a complex thing to answer, umm its developing countries around the world using environmental and social (etc.) means that attempt to make a sustainable difference? Yeah I took many courses on indev so explaining it in a few sentences is hard and that confused look on your face means I’m going to tell you to look it up.
hmm and the job I can get with this degree is working with an NGO (non-governmental organization, like OXFAM- you know what that is? cool, I’m glad something that is coming out of my mouth doesn’t sound foreign), the United Nations if I want no life… and so on.
After school? working. If you haven’t noticed school costs you everything, yes monetarily but also mentally, socially, and such. but the thing I will be focusing is the working-to-get-money part. After that I intend on going back to school and then I will fly to the moon….ok no, but you were actually interested for a second there
and no I will not be helping people in Africa do their daily chores. This was legit what some people asked me about my placement next year… how is that international development? HOW. I will be working with an environmental NGO, called A Rocha in Ghana, that focuses on environmental restoration, protection, eco-tourism…(http://www.arocha.org/gh-en/work/overview.html)
Sorry for the slight tinge of anger but its super stressful and frustrating when people grill you on these topics. I”M GOING TO UNIVERSITY, I’M LEARNING. I’m passionate about what I am learning about and love it. Is that not enough? I’m not a drop out, I don’t do drugs, and I contribute to society. I will learn more along the way, but for now I’m going to school for international development and I am right where I want to be.