"What are you going to do with that?!"

A few weeks ago at work I was chatting with a client while I was ringing up her purchases.  She was about to graduate from nursing school and I mentioned that I was also in graduate school too - hoping to graduate this May.  Somewhere in the middle of our conversation I also mentioned that I had an undergraduate degree in business.  She then commended me for getting my MBA and said that was an awesome thing to have and would probably allow me to do whatever it was I wanted to do in the future.  I didn't have to heart to tell her I wasn't getting my MBA and was actually getting a Master's in Fashion Merchandising...so I simply went with it, saying thank you and allowing her to go on her way.

As soon as she left I began to question why I didn't immediately correct her and tell her what I was actually going to school for.

Then I got to thinking...(and clearly channeling my inner Carrie Bradshaw)...Who I adore, by the way...

Something funny happens (almost) every time I tell someone I'm getting a Master's in Fashion.  They immediately get a weird look on their face and say, "What are you going to do with that?!"

Naturally, I'm taken aback every.  single.  time.  this happens.  My standard response is to look somewhat offended, making a classic 'Brooke face' and say, "Ummm...you got dressed today, right?"  All the while looking at them like they're the crazy one.

Whoever I'm talking to will generally laugh and say something like, "Haha, oh yeah...so you want to design your own line?"

Um.  No. 

And as a side note, just because I went to undergrad at Presbyterian College doesn't mean I went to college to study the Bible...

All of this gets me thinking that the general population doesn't give as much credit to those in the Fashion industry as they deserve.  They look upon this industry as silly and frivolous and those who work in this industry as brainless or of no substance.  While working in retail I see that some clients give me and those I work with no credibility whatsoever in whatever it is that we're talking to them about for reasons what are unbeknownst to me. 

Just this past week I had an "incident" with a client who immediately assumed I was dumber than dirt and couldn't possibly have a clue as to what I was talking about.  She eventually said, "It's okay...I'll just ask someone else..."  Uhh, okay.

Moral of this blog is: please do not judge others with what they choose to do with their lives.  And just because they are behind the counter instead of in front of it, doesn't mean a thing.