Life Beyond College

As I look back into my high school boy's dreams, my endless hours of study and language struggles, the memories are still as clear as it was just yesterday. I wanted to become some kind of a doctor, a researcher, working for the understanding and cure of deadly diseases such as HIV infection and cancers. I remember saying to myself and to my friends that money isn't everything and that you should strive for a career that you would love. You work hard and be successful at what you do and the money will follow.

Well, I'm not sure about the money these days but it is certainly important that the career you're pursuing or practicing is enjoyable and meaningful to you. I used to tell my then girlfriend who's now my wife that, life is complicated so try to live it simply. She told me money makes the world go 'round. Well, I think we were both right.

Money does make the world go 'round and simplicity does make it go a little smoother and more livable. In the industrialized world money appears to be the primary source of energy that drives our every day lives. When there's a means there is a way. Money can buy you life for a few more days, months or even years. You've probably heard times and times again that money is the source of all evil. Well, it is true, but it can also be a ladder to your happiness. It all depends on who you are, your heart and your mind, your spirit. Compassion cannot be bought or sold, but if you have it in you then money can become your greatest tool for a happier life for you and those you are compassionate about.

I came from a small war-torn country in Southeast Asia, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR or Laos). The average life expectancy there is less than 60 years. Most people there live on less than a dollar a day. Since my childhoold, the lack of money has always been the source of problems in family and in health. My family came to the USA and started our new lives with literally nothing. We began with free food from the foodshelves and free clothes from the free stores. We had some helps along the way. My parents did well despite of all the hardships and sacrifices. Their three children all received college education. I received my Master's degree in biotechnology. But what is intriguing to me is that I'm still struggling with money...the lack of it.

My parents are now separated because I couldn't afford to keep them together. My mother has been suffering from multiple diseases, primarily hepatitis B and rheumatoid arthritis for more than a decade now. Recently she was diagnosed with a liver cancer and severe skin rashes from her autoimmunity and liver condition. How ironic it is. Here I am, been working hard trying to get my high education but I'm still struggling with the very problems that I faced since my childhood -- poor health, broken family and being broke. So that's my life beyond college. I have come to believe that unless you had a financially successful family to begin with it'll take you more than education, hard work and strong spirit to be successful in life. It'll require some luck and the being at the right place at the right time, meeting the right people. Well, I can't say I've had one of those. But I love my parents. I love my mom and I try to do whatever it takes to make her healthy again -- giving her best medical cares possible, even though we can't really afford them.

So I'm back in school working on my PhD degree so I can run my own research projects. I'm currently working on molecular modeling of the development and malignancy of head and neck cancer. Scientific research work doesn't pay much but it's something I love and enjoy doing, seeking new knowledge to help improve health. Only if my bills and student loans can understand that, it would be awesome. So here I am again, going to school full-time and working as a scientist/technician full-time.

I'm also interested in biopharmaceutical industry, where I think a scientist can make good money while doing something he/she loves. Next time I'll talk more about the topic. Just type in the word "biopharmaceutics" in the Search Blog box to get to that article in the near future.

Thanks for reading and I hope your life after college has been more pleasant and more prosperous then mine.

AyK
ayk007@comcast.net