A Degree In Hard Knocks

I had finally made it. My parents flew in for my graduation. My mom was so proud. My wife was proud. I was relieved. I had earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts, and I was ready to hit the road. I could paint, draw, act, sing and play. Who wouldn't be anxious to receive this talented college grad?

I passed out resumes. I called companies. I went door to door. I answered "help wanted" ads in the paper. Many wanted help. None wanted my help. I had a degree, so they wouldn't let me flip burgers. I had no experience, so they wouldn't let me make their commercial, direct their musical or photograph their babies.

So I tapped into my resources at our church. These were the folks that knew me. Some were influential. They could open doors. One guy, David E., worked for the David C. Cook Publishing Company. He agreed to take my art portfolio and show it to some executives.

Weeks later I received a copy of a letter that some uppity-up had sent to David, along with my portfolio. The reply basically said that "Mr. Johnson's drawings were interesting, but he should seriously consider another line of work." Yikes! I was just one brick shy of devastated. I took the letter back to a couple of my college professors, asking them why I should have gotten such a response. I had gotten all A's and B's in my classes. Why was I not now qualified to pursue my career?

They responded that Cook Publishing was insensitive and unjust in dismissing me so hastily, and that I shouldn't give up. I seriously questioned my type of degree, the school I went to and the reliability of good church contacts. But I had to feed my family and take the next step.

I was willing to take anything at this point, so back to the want ads I went. I finally got a decent interview with a plastics coloring company. They were disappointed that I didn't have experience, but felt that since I could manage to get a degree, maybe I would work out there. I also foolishly rationalized that an art degree and coloring were a good fit, so I obviously was right for the job.

I'm sure I must have prayed during this degree-to-job hunting period. I put in my time at church. But beyond that not much spiritual activity was going on in my life. I could envision what God wanted for me, but I don't think I ever stopped to find out what he really wanted for me. The job didn't pay much, but had decent benefits and had the potential of being a great career start. If only I would have stayed. Another one of those should've/could've/would've events.