Manifestations of the quarter life crisis
So I just met with a gentleman who wanted to buy my Kaplan/Schweser CFA Level 1 study books. We had a brief chat, where he mentioned that he was working at a medical device company and he holds an undergrad biomedical engineering degree as well as a MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Besides preparing for the CFA exam himself, his brother is also preparing to take it. His brother has a JD and is working [unhappily] at a law firm.
MBAs and JDs are usually the finale. The final degree. With which it’s assumed you know specifically what you want to do within the bounds of business or law. However, these two brothers still do not know what they want to do. They both are not satisfied with their degrees and their jobs. Why else would they be taking the exam?
There are so many people in this situation. 20-30 years of age, well-educated, yet no idea where he or she fits in the world.
on February 22nd, 2008 at 6:47 am
sounds like a case of two asian kids doing exactly what their parents expect of them: rack up credentials and get a high paying job like a good boy so you will have a happy life just like all our family friends and their kids. we have this concept beat into our heads that we look out for the prestige before we look out for what makes us happy. SIGH hahaha
on February 22nd, 2008 at 8:11 am
he was asian. hahahaha. right on.
on February 22nd, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Well, I think regardless of cultures, there’s a common misconception that prestige + wealth = happiness(or at least peace of mind). I feel more than ever that finding your spot in the world is going to take a trial and error method. You just can’t get discouraged.
on February 23rd, 2008 at 2:48 am
Well, at least those guys have enough money without having to worry about how to pay for stuff.