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I hope when people ask what you're going to do with your…

“I hope when people ask what you're going to do with your English degree and/or creative writing degree you'll say: Continue my bookish examination of the contradictions and complexities of human motivation and desire; or maybe just: Carry it with me, as I do everything that matters. And then smile…” quote by Cheryl Strayed
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“I hope when people ask what you're going to do with your English degree and/or creative writing degree you'll say: Continue my bookish examination of the contradictions and complexities of human motivation and desire; or maybe just: Carry it with me, as I do everything that matters. And then smile very serenely until they say, Oh.”

Cheryl Strayed

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker encourages embracing a humanities degree as a lens to explore human motives, suggesting it can be a lifelong analytical tool and source of personal fulfillment.

In simple terms: Use your English degree to examine human desire.

Key Takeaway

Apply literary insight to everyday life.

Themes

education creativity human motivation

Mood

hopeful inspired

Type

philosophical advice

When to use this quote

  • Writing
  • teaching
  • career counseling
  • personal journaling
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

Literary analysis psychology self-reflection

Questions to Reflect On

  • How will you convey the value of your degree?
  • What contradictions intrigue you most?
A Different Perspective

Not all audiences value humanities, so articulation matters.

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