“You’ve got a college degree? What are you doing here?”
That question keeps repeating over and over,
My words bubble up, stuck in my throat,
As I swallow the urge to fight back their overwhelming judgement,
Almost like a ticking time bomb inside me, ready to explode.

As I feel their prolonged stares, awaiting my suppressed answer,
All I can do is feel shame—
Shame for leaping down a path of uncertainty and inevitable failure,
For spending my hard-earned money on a useless degree.
All I want is to pursue a job that doesn’t need degrees or certificates,
A path that doesn’t need to be framed or flaunted.
Just one I’m passionate about, where I can truly thrive.

But their voices continue to lurk and linger in the back of my mind,
Their expectations, heavy and draining,
Reminding me of sacrifices they made to get me here.

But I can’t break the truth; the stress weighs heavy on me,
As I follow this path I never wanted,
Trapped in their web of expectations,
Carrying this dream that was never mine.