I really love this article! Chris is also looking at MFA programs that offer "free rides", but in directing. This young man is going to be highly sought after and his sets are amazing!
I'd also like to add that Chris was a very "average" student. No APs. He started high school under some family trauma, and my goal was to get him through it happy and healthy. No academic pressure. He got the same amount in scholarships as his "academic" brother (pretty much every AP there was), but through talent scholarships in theater. And the academic one? Didn't maintain his honors program status in college, but Chris graduated cum laude. It's really amazing what can happen after high school when they come into themselves.
Thank you, Lisa! I know I'm preaching to the choir, but we need more conversations about those non-linear paths. (And the fact that there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all timeline.)
I love this! I'm soooo bored of the engineering / business / computer science focus and how people seem to look at me with cocked head and sad eyes when I say that my soon-to-start-college daughter is interested in environmental studies and film studies. I'm thrilled for her and sad for THEM that they can't think creatively enough about how broadly those two areas can translate into fantastic careers down the line. Jake sounds like a remarkable young man who is really going places.
Right??? I mean absolutely no disrespect to engineering/business/CS people, but over the past 30 or so years, majoring in anything other than those disciplines has become the punchline of a joke (as in "...do you want fries with that?") and I think the world is a more divided and less vibrant place as a result.
I love Jake's story on so many levels, Irena. And as the comments here pull through, there are many wonderful insights to take away. It's helpful to remember—we have time to figure things out. Heck, it's why so many older aged adults still say they don't know what they want to do when they grow up. We're always becoming. Dominant cultural paths aren't always our best way. I love how Jake notes to pay attention to our gut and pay attention to what we like doing. Good lessons for all of us.
Thank you, Kathy! His clarity when we spoke was inspiring. Paying attention to our gut and to what we're doing seems like such a simple injunction, and yet there are so many social and cultural barriers that get in our way. (Not to mention the very human urge to self-sabotage because certainly whatever is logical and straightforward couldn't be *that* easy!)
Totally agree, Irena! I think this is why it's helpful to have certain people (because people can also throw you off) around you who truly see you and can point out when you spark (using your word from your book) to something.
Thanks for sharing these insightful thoughts on Jake’s story. It’s a great reminder that we are always evolving and have the time to figure things out. Listening to our gut and doing what we love are definitely important lessons to keep in mind.
Thanks for sharing this post, it’s a great reminder to trust our instincts and follow what truly makes us happy. We are always evolving and it’s important to remember that we have the time to figure things out.
Love this so much. For a hot second in college I thought maybe I should be an industrial engineer, whatever that is. Then I came to my senses and realized that the only thing that made sense to me was being an English major. I've never regretted it.
Okay, I need to know how you decided (even for a hot second) that you wanted to be an industrial engineer without knowing what it was. (And ditto about having zero regrets about majoring in English, although I did have some minor sadness about not at least minoring in the classics.)
Good question. My exact motivations are lost to the mists of memory, but I think I was looking for something that would help me get a job (yes, we worried about such things in the 80s) instead of what I really liked to do. Surprise! Writing and editing are useful skills! My big regret, however, is that I didn't throw myself into creative writing and/or acting, which were really my passions. But at the time, I wanted to be independent (not dependent on my parents, anyway), and that meant making money.
You are not going to believe this but I am your imaginary upstairs neighbor in NYC! I also have the brick wall, of course. I guess we should imaginary clickety-clack around together? Imaginary text me!
And here in real life, I loved this profile and especially this: "Life is a lot longer than it seems like in high school, and you have much more time than you think to decide what you want to do.” I know he's busy with other, very cool things, but Jake for President??
Oh, I am not the least bit surprised that you are my imaginary upstairs neighbor in NYC! I think we should meet for an imaginary coffee... at Central Perk, maybe? Or, better yet, IRL in Redwood City schedules permitting.
I think you're onto something with Jake for President. Campaign slogan: "Making America a perfect setting... for all."
That’s so cool, maybe you and your imaginary upstairs neighbor can have some fun adventures together! And I agree, Jake for President would be interesting to see!
I really love this article! Chris is also looking at MFA programs that offer "free rides", but in directing. This young man is going to be highly sought after and his sets are amazing!
Kelly, I have no doubt Chris is also going to do some pretty spectacular things!
I'd also like to add that Chris was a very "average" student. No APs. He started high school under some family trauma, and my goal was to get him through it happy and healthy. No academic pressure. He got the same amount in scholarships as his "academic" brother (pretty much every AP there was), but through talent scholarships in theater. And the academic one? Didn't maintain his honors program status in college, but Chris graduated cum laude. It's really amazing what can happen after high school when they come into themselves.
Yes. This especially: It's really amazing what can happen after high school when they come into themselves.
Wow, that’s awesome! Chris sounds like a talented and ambitious individual. Best of luck to him in finding the perfect MFA program!
That’s amazing to hear about Chris’s talent and potential opportunities in directing! Can’t wait to see where his career takes him.
That’s awesome to hear! Chris sounds incredibly talented and driven. Can’t wait to see where his career takes him!
Great read! So nice to read about JB. I love your words!
Thank you so much, Carol. Talking to JB was pure pleasure, apart from needing to restrain myself from shrieking, "OMG, you're all grown up!"
So glad you enjoyed the article about JB! Your support means a lot.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! JB is truly inspiring.
Thank you for sharing this lovely piece about JB. Your words are beautiful.
I love the Brandeis mentor that took Jake under her wing. We need more of that!
100 percent agree. The mentors I had in college literally changed the course of my life.
That’s great to hear! Mentorship can make such a positive impact.
That’s so great to hear! Mentors can make such a positive impact.
That’s wonderful to hear! Mentors can make such a positive impact.
What a great story about a great person! I love reading about the non-linear paths that so many successful people take.
Thank you, Lisa! I know I'm preaching to the choir, but we need more conversations about those non-linear paths. (And the fact that there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all timeline.)
Thanks for sharing this inspiring story! It’s always motivating to hear about different paths to success.
Thanks for sharing this inspiring story! It’s always interesting to see the different paths people take to success.
It’s inspiring to see how different paths can lead to success. Thanks for sharing this story!
I love this! I'm soooo bored of the engineering / business / computer science focus and how people seem to look at me with cocked head and sad eyes when I say that my soon-to-start-college daughter is interested in environmental studies and film studies. I'm thrilled for her and sad for THEM that they can't think creatively enough about how broadly those two areas can translate into fantastic careers down the line. Jake sounds like a remarkable young man who is really going places.
Right??? I mean absolutely no disrespect to engineering/business/CS people, but over the past 30 or so years, majoring in anything other than those disciplines has become the punchline of a joke (as in "...do you want fries with that?") and I think the world is a more divided and less vibrant place as a result.
I love Jake's story on so many levels, Irena. And as the comments here pull through, there are many wonderful insights to take away. It's helpful to remember—we have time to figure things out. Heck, it's why so many older aged adults still say they don't know what they want to do when they grow up. We're always becoming. Dominant cultural paths aren't always our best way. I love how Jake notes to pay attention to our gut and pay attention to what we like doing. Good lessons for all of us.
Thank you, Kathy! His clarity when we spoke was inspiring. Paying attention to our gut and to what we're doing seems like such a simple injunction, and yet there are so many social and cultural barriers that get in our way. (Not to mention the very human urge to self-sabotage because certainly whatever is logical and straightforward couldn't be *that* easy!)
Totally agree, Irena! I think this is why it's helpful to have certain people (because people can also throw you off) around you who truly see you and can point out when you spark (using your word from your book) to something.
Thanks for sharing these insightful thoughts on Jake’s story. It’s a great reminder that we are always evolving and have the time to figure things out. Listening to our gut and doing what we love are definitely important lessons to keep in mind.
Thanks for sharing this post, it’s a great reminder to trust our instincts and follow what truly makes us happy. We are always evolving and it’s important to remember that we have the time to figure things out.
Such a great reminder to trust our instincts and embrace the journey of becoming. Thanks for sharing Jake’s story!
Love this so much. For a hot second in college I thought maybe I should be an industrial engineer, whatever that is. Then I came to my senses and realized that the only thing that made sense to me was being an English major. I've never regretted it.
Okay, I need to know how you decided (even for a hot second) that you wanted to be an industrial engineer without knowing what it was. (And ditto about having zero regrets about majoring in English, although I did have some minor sadness about not at least minoring in the classics.)
Good question. My exact motivations are lost to the mists of memory, but I think I was looking for something that would help me get a job (yes, we worried about such things in the 80s) instead of what I really liked to do. Surprise! Writing and editing are useful skills! My big regret, however, is that I didn't throw myself into creative writing and/or acting, which were really my passions. But at the time, I wanted to be independent (not dependent on my parents, anyway), and that meant making money.
You are not going to believe this but I am your imaginary upstairs neighbor in NYC! I also have the brick wall, of course. I guess we should imaginary clickety-clack around together? Imaginary text me!
And here in real life, I loved this profile and especially this: "Life is a lot longer than it seems like in high school, and you have much more time than you think to decide what you want to do.” I know he's busy with other, very cool things, but Jake for President??
Oh, I am not the least bit surprised that you are my imaginary upstairs neighbor in NYC! I think we should meet for an imaginary coffee... at Central Perk, maybe? Or, better yet, IRL in Redwood City schedules permitting.
I think you're onto something with Jake for President. Campaign slogan: "Making America a perfect setting... for all."
That’s hilarious! Imaginary clickety-clack buddies it is! And I agree, Jake for President would be interesting!
That’s so cool! It’s always great to find common ground with someone. And who knows, maybe one day Jake will surprise us all!
That’s so cool, maybe you and your imaginary upstairs neighbor can have some fun adventures together! And I agree, Jake for President would be interesting to see!
🥰
So sweet! 😊
That’s so sweet! 😊
That’s so sweet! 😊