How Will Your Degree Impact the World?

In the United States, graduation is an accomplishment that symbolizes many things. Whether it be accessibility to jobs, gifts from relatives or completion of long nights of academic work, graduation is a happy time for people. Recently, I attained my Masters degree. Walking across the stage and receiving my diploma was an emotional and triumphant moment. When I returned to the pew, I leisurely recalled my college graduation. The president of the University, a Jesuit Catholic priest, told us that we had joined the ranks of the 1% of the world's population that have a college degree. Then my mind traveled to a conversation that took place in one of my graduate classes. We were discussing the relevance and significance of ethnic studies programs. Of course, as usual, I was in the minority and most of my classmates claimed that these programs are not as important as "traditional" courses of study.

All of this was going through my mind as I sat and watched my peers cross the stage and receive their diploma. Graduation, more specifically, the actual attainment of Bachelor's, Masters, doctorates, etc. should remind us of our extreme privilege and responsibility to others. We are amongst an elite group. Indeed, an MBA does afford you the opportunity to work at a huge Fortune 500 company and make a six-figure salary, but what impact does that have on the rest of OUR world. As the millennial generation, I hope we all consider our world as larger than ourselves, our homes or our neighborhoods. Thanks to technology and globalization, frankly, I have more in common with girls living in Johannesburg than my peers from Westchester County. As I reflect on my two degrees at 23, I'm wondering how my career will impact the other 99% of the world. Furthermore, in addition to identifying as a millenial, I also strongly identify as an African American. My racial identity brings an even heavier burden for me to carry. As millenial people of color, we must be more aware of our privilege because at some point in American history, someone leveraged their privilege to pave the way for us. Why did I study African American Studies as an undergraduate and continue to focus my research on black girls? Because without knowing our history and understanding this racialized society, I cannot help young people conceptualize, develop and express their strengths. I'm not proposing that everyone quit their jobs and join the Peace Core (although that's great!) but I am still challenging our generation to use our degrees to tear down historically oppressive boundaries that continue to contain that 99% that may not have the power to do so.

Also, I am now a contributing blogger for FWDNation.com so please take a look at the site and give us your feedback!