Six years after my daughter graduated from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University with a degree in public relations, my son has reached his milestone, graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in data science. This past weekend brought up a whirlwind of emotions and reflections, emotions many parents experience when their children graduate from college.
High School Challenges and the Journey to Independence
Looking back on my son’s high school years, I remember the daily battles over getting out of bed for class. Mornings were a struggle. Both my kids often got reprimanded for showing up late to their first periods, leaving me to play the reluctant drill sergeant.
My sister once told me, “You’re enabling him. Just let him sleep and see what happens.” But I couldn’t bring myself to take a hands-off approach. I wanted to help him learn how to succeed, even if it meant nagging every morning.
When he went to college, I realized he’d have to take full responsibility for himself. “It’s sink or swim now,” I told him. And swim he did. To my amazement, he rose to the occasion. My sister had been right all along. He didn’t need me pushing and prodding him every day. Taking responsibility for his own life allowed him to soar.
Discovering His Path
Like many young adults, my son wasn’t always sure what he wanted to do with his life. But as he explored his interests, something clicked. We realized, as he did that his passion had been with him since childhood.
When he was little, he loved playing Nintendo baseball—not so much for the game as for the stats. He would spend hours meticulously assembling the perfect teams while ignoring the gameplay itself. His fascination with numbers and patterns laid the foundation for his later pursuit.
During college, he took time to reflect on his ambitions and charted a path forward. Once he set his mind on something, there was no stopping him.
A Data Science Advocate
Interestingly, the data science major didn’t formally exist at UC Berkeley until my son’s senior year. But that didn’t stop him. He tirelessly advocated for the program, showing the same determination he had in his childhood interests.
While waiting for the major to be officially introduced, he founded the Berkeley Sports Analytics Club during his sophomore year. What started as an idea blossomed into one of the most popular student organizations on campus, with over 100 members. His drive and ability to create something impactful from scratch left me in awe.
Graduation Day and a Proud Parent
As my son graduated from UC Berkeley this past weekend, I couldn’t help but marvel at how far he’d come. He was no longer the boy I used to wake up for school each morning. The young man walking across that stage had matured in ways I could never have imagined.
Watching him succeed reminded me of what it takes to raise thriving children. My son and daughter have inspired me through their grit and determination to pursue their dreams. They’ve shown me that resilience and self-discovery are integral to success.
A Bright Future
Parenting is filled with highs and lows, successes and challenges. My children’s journeys have taught me so much about letting go and trusting their ability to find their way.
Whether they’ve earned a degree in public relations from Syracuse or data science from UC Berkeley, their accomplishments reflect their hard work and passion. As a parent, there’s no greater joy than knowing my kids have a bright future ahead.
To all the parents out there witnessing their children’s college success stories, please take a moment to soak it all in. These milestones are not just theirs; they’re ours, too. Watching them soar makes every sleepless night, every struggle, and every argument worth it.
Congratulations to my son, my daughter, and all the graduates chasing their dreams. You inspire us every day.
