We consider higher education as a stepping stone for the trajectory of our future. UC Berkeley students are familiar with this narrative; for many of us, high school was a CV to show that we have the capacity to succeed at Berkeley. For transfers like myself, the jobs many of us held while managing a community college curriculum isolated us from our classmates who went on to a more independent academic experience — constantly wondering if we made the right choice by staying home.
I spent my time attending community college working in an industry where a degree isn’t required. I avoided talking about my age, as I felt it’d distract from the respect I’d earned through my work. I took side jobs in addition to the two places I was on a payroll at. Eventually, I came to love the extra income because of its addictive inconsistency. During this time of my life, I experienced how debilitating the combination of gender and age can be.
With relief and remorse, when I got accepted to UC Berkeley, I left work. I hesitantly revealed my plans to individuals who’d come to be surprised with my age and quickly developed advice, almost to serve as a parting gift.
UC Berkeley became a vacation destination. I finally had the opportunity to escape the responsibilities I’d somehow stumbled into, but primarily the repercussions my positions began to impose. Attending university became a pay cut. I pressed pause on the credibility I’d earned and spent time focusing solely on academics instead. I learned to manage my time between a maxed out course load and two jobs. Now, I’ve transformed into a student who truly fulfills the literal meaning of a “full time student”; I feel like I’m back at square one. This is my experience.
The thing about transfers that students who didn’t go through the process don’t understand is patience — patience in waiting for your efforts at community college to pay off; the restraint it takes to smile while living through another response to the “I’m going to community college right now” remark. I wanted to write an ode to the transfer student, an appreciation for what you haven’t properly given yourself enough credit for.
I’ll be applying for internships with a sense of urgency in the coming semesters, which is something I hadn’t considered when I had a job. I’ll spend the next few years feeling what it’s like to gain experience in a field to, again, grow my employability. Allow the repetition and self-doubt many transfer students feel to act as an indication that you have an advantage; the time you spent experiencing another version of yourself outside of UC Berkeley, outside of academics, and while standing upon a different set of stepping stones, were valuable.
Since transferring, more than not, I’ve questioned my goals, motivations, and choices within academics, employment, and life above all else; although, perhaps not a set of contemplations I’d make without transferring, I think my experiences will inevitably benefit me in a profound way. Within every transfer experience, the circumstances differ, though the patience it takes to accept a new path is invariable; especially when you already have one drawn out in front of you.
Dear transfer student, take comfort in your background; appreciate the solidarity in considering that just like the path changed once, new stepping stones will continue to reappear throughout your lifetime.