William Penn Life, 2011 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2011-07-01 / 7. szám

Tibor's Take with Tibor Check, Jr.

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Things you didn’t hear at commencement*

I'VE DECIDED TO TAKE A DEPARTURE from my usual subject material (grow ing up Hungarian Style) this month. Instead of my usual musings on Magyar life, events and culture, I want to instead write something that will reach out to everyone, not just my fellow Magyars. This month, I want to write about graduations, and graduates and their collective futures.

I have always fantasized about giving a commencement address, about speaking in front of thousands of scholars and their families, passing on wisdom and knowledge to eager students who would zealously soak in every word. Although I hope I will be famous enough one day to give a commencement address at Harvard or Princeton, for now, I'll settle for being on the receiving end of such addresses.

Last month, I sat through my third graduation ceremony. This time, I was receiving my Bachelor's of Arts degree in history from Cleveland State University. For the third time, I listened to a commencement address that did not help me one bit. There was little advice, and most of that was not applicable to my situation. For a while, the president of the university prattled on about how great the school was and where it is going in the future. Of course, that is all well and good, but it did not help us graduates who were at the tail end of our academic careers.

Then, as I rose to walk across the stage, a feeling of anticipation and anxiety washed over me like a wave of cold water. There I was, receiving my bachelor's degree, and while that was a happy occasion, it meant increased responsibility, challenges and pressure to find a job or continue on in graduate achool. I felt this anxiety for the rest of the day, and it was hardly alleviated when my friend (who received his degree right before me) informed me in line that he was rejected from the same graduate school that I applied to. If you were to ask me at that moment what I was going to do, I would have just shrugged my shoulders and hoped for the best.

Then, a week later, my mother and I were shopping at Walmart. As soon as we walked in the door, there was a sample display with a worker showcasing and promoting new food products. I had not eaten yet that day, so naturally I walked over to partake in the offerings. My mother came with me as well, wanting to see if there was anything that she would be interested in. The gentleman working the sample display looked at us, and at my mother's T-shirt (which was from CSU), and asked us:

"Who goes to Cleveland State?"

My mother pointed at me, and I shrugged my shoulders as I replied: "I do, well, did, well actually, I still do."

The man shot me a puzzled look. I explained: "I gradu-Jake it rom Tibor

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ated last Saturday, but I am going back for my master's."

He then asked me: "bachelor's and master's in what young man?"

I sheepishly replied: "History."

He looked at me for a second, but it seemed like years. That look was a flat expression of nonchalance, his mouth seemingly poised to offer some "advice" that often accompanies those who receive degrees in the liberal arts or the social sciences. I was expecting a polite version of the "history degrees are pointless" treatment that I often receive from some people. Or, dreading that the next words to come out of his mouth would be "I have a master's in history and look where it got me."

But, people never cease to surprise.

He told me: "You know, certain departments and agencies within the federal government LOVE history majors." He then proceeded to list a number of job application websites, possible openings and good agencies to look into, and of course, his congratulations on my graduation. When I asked him how he knew all that, he replied: "My son works for the government, and he has a history degree, and let me tell you, it was the best thing he ever did in his life."

I had a smile on my face the rest of that day. To receive words of encouragement and actually helpful thoughts from a complete and total stranger that I will most likely

8 ° July 2011 0 William Penn Life