---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The university awarded me my degree, but…"
description: "\"“The university awarded me my degree, but can something that’s basically worthless be properly called an award?”\" — Jarod Kintz"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/398/jarod-kintz-2_award_the-university-awarded-me-my-degree-but_2877917.jpg"
---

#  The university awarded me my degree, but can something…

![“The university awarded me my degree, but can something that’s basically worthless be properly called an award?” quote by Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/398/jarod-kintz-2_award_the-university-awarded-me-my-degree-but_2877917.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/398/jarod-kintz-2_award_the-university-awarded-me-my-degree-but_2877917.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/398/jarod-kintz-2_award_the-university-awarded-me-my-degree-but_2877917.jpg)

> ““The university awarded me my degree, but can something that’s basically worthless be properly called an award?””

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

## About This Quote

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

Questioning the value of formal recognitions when the underlying achievement feels meaningless.

**In simple terms:** Degrees may feel empty if the work lacks meaning.

Key Takeaway

Reevaluate why you seek external validation.

Themes

education recognition meaning selfworth

Mood

skeptical reflective

Type

critical philosophical

When to use this quote

- career decisions
- academic pursuits
- personal fulfillment

Key Concepts

valuation existential doubt social constructs

Questions to Reflect On

- What would make a degree feel valuable to you?
- Can you find purpose beyond the title?

A Different Perspective

The award may still hold practical benefits despite perceived worthlessness.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [“I want to win an award that doesn’t exist yet. Well, I want my clone to win it, and that’s almost the same thing—and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-want-to-win-an-award-that-doesn-t-exist-yet-well-i-want-my-clone-to/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“It’s a real pleasure accepting an award—for someone else. Especially if they are my clone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/it-s-a-real-pleasure-accepting-an-award-for-someone-else-especially/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“An award winner recommended and commended someone’s work, and that someone later endorsed my work, so it’s like I’m an award winner twice removed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/an-award-winner-recommended-and-commended-someone-s-work-and-that/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“I haven’t won an award, but I have won over an award winner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-haven-t-won-an-award-but-i-have-won-over-an-award-winner/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [Winning or not winning an award doesn't affect me. I just like to do my work in the best possible manner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kk/winning-or-not-winning-an-award-doesn-t-affect-me-i-just-like-to-do/)

KK

> [You don't want to make awards the reason you're doing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-nolte/you-don-t-want-to-make-awards-the-reason-you-re-doing-things/)

[Nick Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-nolte/)

> [I don't like the energy at award shows. It's rehearsed and everybody is just focused on themselves and nobody wants to genuinely applaud for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaani-kapoor/i-don-t-like-the-energy-at-award-shows-it-s-rehearsed-and-everybody/)

[Vaani Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaani-kapoor/)

> [I am not after any award. Love and affection of the audience is the biggest award for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mukesh-tiwari/i-am-not-after-any-award-love-and-affection-of-the-audience-is-the/)

[Mukesh Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mukesh-tiwari/)

> [I look to a time when brotherhood needs no publicity; to a time when a brotherhood award would be as ridiculous as an award…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-mich/i-look-to-a-time-when-brotherhood-needs-no-publicity-to-a-time-when-a/)

Daniel D. Mich

> [Any award the NBA gives you, whether it's on the court or off the court, it's definitely an honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-thompson/any-award-the-nba-gives-you-whether-it-s-on-the-court-or-off-the/)

[Tristan Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-thompson/)

> [I'm not a great believer in awards-of course the fact that I've never won one has nothing to do with it at all!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-banks/i-m-not-a-great-believer-in-awards-of-course-the-fact-that-i-ve-never/)

[Iain Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-banks/)

> [Some of my contemporaries don't want to talk about the female problem because they feel like whenever they get a teaching position or an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/du-yun/some-of-my-contemporaries-don-t-want-to-talk-about-the-female-problem/)

[Du Yun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/du-yun/)

> [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/)

[Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/)

> [I love my role in 'Deshamuduru' but I did not get any award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali/i-love-my-role-in-deshamuduru-but-i-did-not-get-any-award/)

[Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali/)

> [Professionally speaking, the proudest moment was when I booked the 'Human Stain.' I knew it had Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris and Gary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wentworth-miller/professionally-speaking-the-proudest-moment-was-when-i-booked-the/)

[Wentworth Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wentworth-miller/)

## More by Jarod Kintz

> [“I notice when you’re gone. Or do I? How can I observe something that isn’t there?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-notice-when-you-re-gone-or-do-i-how-can-i-observe-something-that/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“I wouldn’t love you if you were the last Sodomite in Gomorrah.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-wouldn-t-love-you-if-you-were-the-last-sodomite-in-gomorrah/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“A blanket could be used to make sweet, sweet music with the love of your life. Hopefully that person is me, because I’ve been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-blanket-could-be-used-to-make-sweet-sweet-music-with-the-love-of/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“A brick could be used to slow down time. Sort of like a camel in a wheelchair pushed by a thirsty Arab. Hey, Khalid,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-brick-could-be-used-to-slow-down-time-sort-of-like-a-camel-in-a/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“We have a love so pure that it makes snow seem yellow. (Don’t eat it!)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/we-have-a-love-so-pure-that-it-makes-snow-seem-yellow-don-t-eat-it/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“I hid Mrs. Frozenwater’s body in the ice cube trays in my freezer. Better to keep her there than let her memory thaw out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-hid-mrs-frozenwater-s-body-in-the-ice-cube-trays-in-my-freezer/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“Two similar words might lead to two similar ideas. They might also lead to the basement, which I recently converted into a dungeon/torture chamber.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/two-similar-words-might-lead-to-two-similar-ideas-they-might-also/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“Nothing is and isn’t; nothing is and isn’t—nothing itself is, and at the same time, nothing isn’t.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/nothing-is-and-isn-t-nothing-is-and-isn-t-nothing-itself-is-and-at/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“Embossed letters represent the topography of typography.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/embossed-letters-represent-the-topography-of-typography/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“There’s only one piece of clothing I could eat fast, and that’s a scarf.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/there-s-only-one-piece-of-clothing-i-could-eat-fast-and-that-s-a-scarf/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“Dora J. Arod is to Jarod Ora, as yes is to yes. Yes is also the correct answer to “Will you marry me?” Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/dora-j-arod-is-to-jarod-ora-as-yes-is-to-yes-yes-is-also-the-correct/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“The best part about being kidnapped is being blindfolded and getting kicked into the trunk of a car. Boy, normally I have to beg…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-best-part-about-being-kidnapped-is-being-blindfolded-and-getting/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“Orafoura once told me that if I were a car, I’d be a Ferrari. One that was scratched smashed, rusted, and stolen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/orafoura-once-told-me-that-if-i-were-a-car-i-d-be-a-ferrari-one-that/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“What makes a good leader? I ask myself this every day, and then as I begin to list off characteristics I realize I’m describing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/what-makes-a-good-leader-i-ask-myself-this-every-day-and-then-as-i/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“I’d like to file a missing person’s report—on my clone. It’s nearly 2012. He should have been here by now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-d-like-to-file-a-missing-person-s-report-on-my-clone-it-s-nearly/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

[Explore all 6,921 Jarod Kintz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

## More Award quotes

> [Professionally speaking, the proudest moment was when I booked the 'Human Stain.' I knew it had Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris and Gary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wentworth-miller/professionally-speaking-the-proudest-moment-was-when-i-booked-the/)

[Wentworth Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wentworth-miller/)

> [I love my role in 'Deshamuduru' but I did not get any award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali/i-love-my-role-in-deshamuduru-but-i-did-not-get-any-award/)

[Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali/)

> [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/)

[Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/)

> [Some of my contemporaries don't want to talk about the female problem because they feel like whenever they get a teaching position or an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/du-yun/some-of-my-contemporaries-don-t-want-to-talk-about-the-female-problem/)

[Du Yun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/du-yun/)

> [I'm not a great believer in awards-of course the fact that I've never won one has nothing to do with it at all!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-banks/i-m-not-a-great-believer-in-awards-of-course-the-fact-that-i-ve-never/)

[Iain Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-banks/)

> [Any award the NBA gives you, whether it's on the court or off the court, it's definitely an honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-thompson/any-award-the-nba-gives-you-whether-it-s-on-the-court-or-off-the/)

[Tristan Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-thompson/)

> [I look to a time when brotherhood needs no publicity; to a time when a brotherhood award would be as ridiculous as an award…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-mich/i-look-to-a-time-when-brotherhood-needs-no-publicity-to-a-time-when-a/)

Daniel D. Mich

> [I am not after any award. Love and affection of the audience is the biggest award for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mukesh-tiwari/i-am-not-after-any-award-love-and-affection-of-the-audience-is-the/)

[Mukesh Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mukesh-tiwari/)

> [I don't like the energy at award shows. It's rehearsed and everybody is just focused on themselves and nobody wants to genuinely applaud for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaani-kapoor/i-don-t-like-the-energy-at-award-shows-it-s-rehearsed-and-everybody/)

[Vaani Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaani-kapoor/)

> [You don't want to make awards the reason you're doing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-nolte/you-don-t-want-to-make-awards-the-reason-you-re-doing-things/)

[Nick Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-nolte/)

> [Winning or not winning an award doesn't affect me. I just like to do my work in the best possible manner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kk/winning-or-not-winning-an-award-doesn-t-affect-me-i-just-like-to-do/)

KK

> [I don't feel I have to acknowledge how I'm doing by an award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/i-don-t-feel-i-have-to-acknowledge-how-i-m-doing-by-an-award/)

[Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/)

> [I never thought I would get a National Award. For me, it was huge, and I got complacent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/i-never-thought-i-would-get-a-national-award-for-me-it-was-huge-and-i/)

[Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/)

> [You don't do a play to compete for an award. This was the argument I always had over the Oscars. I didn't win them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenda-jackson/you-don-t-do-a-play-to-compete-for-an-award-this-was-the-argument-i/)

[Glenda Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenda-jackson/)

> [I was on MTV's 'Real World' at the time when 'Queer Eye' came out. I remember, the first time I won an award, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karamo-brown/i-was-on-mtv-s-real-world-at-the-time-when-queer-eye-came-out-i/)

[Karamo Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karamo-brown/)

Browse all 647 Award quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The university awarded me my degree, but can something that’s basically worthless be properly called an award?”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jarod Kintz"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-university-awarded-me-my-degree-but-can-something-that-s/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Award"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-university-awarded-me-my-degree-but-can-something-that-s/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/398/jarod-kintz-2_award_the-university-awarded-me-my-degree-but_2877917.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/398/jarod-kintz-2_award_the-university-awarded-me-my-degree-but_2877917.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/398/jarod-kintz-2_award_the-university-awarded-me-my-degree-but_2877917.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The university awarded me my degree, but can something that’s basically worthless be properly called an award?” — Jarod Kintz",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jarod Kintz",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The university awarded me my degree,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-university-awarded-me-my-degree-but-can-something-that-s/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-university-awarded-me-my-degree-but-can-something-that-s/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
