Reaction #1:
A regular interaction when inquiring about my major follows as such:
Random stranger: "So what are you studying at school?"
Me: "Oh, well I'm studying law."
"Law? Wow, you must be incredibly intelligent. There's no way I'd be smart enough to go to law school."
"Well, I wouldn't really say I'm that intellige-"
"But how can you afford to go to law school? It's not really the best time financially to go with the economy the way it is…"
"Well, I'd like to see it as investing in my fut-"
"You must work REALLY hard."
"I'd like to think that I work pretty hard but I'm really passionate abo-"
"Well I guess it's okay because you're going to make a TON of money."
*sigh* "Yes."
-Or-
A couple days ago I was studying with my bio nerds. They were doing their physics homework and I was working on my constitutional law homework. I was surrounded by white boards and science lingo, just the way I like it. With my earbuds in and some tunnel vision kicking in, I was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder by one of said dear bio nerds. An elderly gentleman had wandered over to the table, interested by the expo markers and various textbooks strewn across the table. He had asked what we were studying and what we wanted to do with our science degree and assumed I was also a part of the squishy science profession. The table went around saying things like "doctor" or "P.A." or "cell researcher" when the spotlight fell to me, the lowly Pre-Law, bachelor of arts plebe. The conversation went something like this:
"And what do you want to be a doctor as well?"
"Um, actually, I'm a Pre-Law major. I just hang out with a lot of sciencey people. "
"Hm, law, eh? Snakes. All of them. You should do something else and save a lot of money."
*laughs nervously* "Yea, I guess so. But I want to-"
"Have you even spent any time around lawyers?"
"Yes, actually my-"
"Well I used to teach physics and…" *continues talking about how accomplished he is*
He then proceeded to help them with their homework for the next hour. I politely put my earbuds back in and ignored them for the duration of an entire Korn album, grumpy and hating the world for subscribing to petty stereotypes.
Later, as I was ordering my third cup of coffee for the evening, the elderly buffoon approached me again.
"And what do you want to do with your law degree?"
"Well, I want to study international relations with an emphasis in human righ-"
"Fighting human trafficking, huh?"
*sigh* "Yes."
~
I am fed up with people and their predetermined opinion of me. I am sick of the cynicism and people feeling like they need to "warn me." AND I AM FUCKING SICK OF NO ONE EVER LETTING ME FINISH MY DAMN SENTENCES.
*deep breath*
Mini rant time:
Just because you have heard of all the corruption and watch the news and read articles about the problems in politics and government does not mean that you have the right to try and change my mind. Yes, I know there is corruption. Yes, I'm going to try my hardest to practice ethically. No, I'm not doing this for the money. No, I don't know how I'm going to pay for it yet. No, I am not a genius. Yes, I am a nerd. No, I will not represent you in court one day for free. Yes, in fact, I have spent COPIOUS amounts of time with lawyers and policy makers.
Yes, I do, in fact, live for this shit.
I just want to help people and the best way I know how to do that is do what I'm good at and what I'm passionate about. I firmly believe that finding the intersection between what you're passionate about and what breaks your heart will lead to a fulfilled life, a purposeful life. I'm not trying to be more ambitious, I'm not trying to be considered incredibly intelligent. I just like what I do.
So please, just let me study my SCOTUS briefs in peace and I won't sue you for everything you own.
This is a Grumpy B.A. Student
~
Things I am thankful for today:
1. Legal pads
2. Convenient outlets
3. Constitutional Democracy
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