I Switched Fields for Graduate School. Maybe You Should Too.

We’ve all heard the quote about the road less traveled. It’s made all the difference, right?

But, which road makes the right difference? Does anyone ever recognize you’re blazing a trail? When does it turn from a misstep to a Medium story?

Believe me, I know the feeling. Like many grad students before me, I’ve been a ‘good student’ my entire life. I had everything I needed to succeed as a professional engineer; five research projects, a summa cum laude degree, and a suite of references from the foremost experts in physics and engineering to guide me towards an easier path of success.

Until I hated propulsion.

I remember everything about that day, except what I was being taught. Probably, it was a lecture about jet engines and pressure, but, I didn’t care anymore. I no longer fit in the boxes of my colleagues; they got their pilots’ license and flew drones with abandon. What I did know, is that if I didn’t find work I loved for my Ph.D. research, I’d be miserable for the next six years.

I was terrified. I needed work that had a soul. It came where I didn’t expect: the Daily Show.

A piece from Jon Stewart reached me at my lowest point: apparently, 1.15 billion dollars of the donated funding to Haiti was unaccounted…