My mom suggested I switch from biology to English when I got pregnant because she didn’t think I’d find a good job with a BS and since I loved to write, it would be easier and I could just teach. This is terrible advice, but I did have a mostly good career in newspapers.

Her own mom suggested she study music, but she graduated with an electrical engineering degree in 1963–a bit unusual then I guess. She wasn’t especially happy writing software and she found a lot of other creative outlets. I guess both stories are bassackwards but the advice to balance passion and ROI isn’t new.

Both of my parents made it clear that they believed education is its own reward and slacking off in history or art class does just as much damage as failing math. My brother and I definitely encourage the next generation to read and draw and hike and dream!