College

With original MTV VJ Mark Goodman, 2018, William Paterson University

Today’s Bloganuary question is to tell about the colleges you went to.

My short answer is NONE!

For decades I was ashamed of this. But over the years learning about successful people who never went to college, I basked in the fact that I’m also successful without college. I’m not saying, “Don’t go to college.” I’m just saying, some people just aren’t school people and we shouldn’t force it.

Here are some of the things I’ve accomplished without a college degree: award-winning journalist (second place from the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalism); award-winning Toastmaster speaker (best evaluator, best table topic, and best speaker for a speech I wrote on David Bowie); 5 traditionally published books — NOT SELF-PUBLISHED — in Barnes & Noble stores; making a living as a journalist since 1995, with articles published all over the world in magazines, newspapers, and online; and ghost writing books for other people that have been traditionally published and in Barnes & Noble stores.

That said, the thought of going to college did occur to me. I was inspired by a proofreader friend/spiritual mentor back in the late 1980s. I applied to several colleges and actually got accepted at William Paterson University. I wanted to major in philosophy and religion.

A young woman discouraged me and said, “What would you do with that degree?”

Dumb question, and dumber me thinking she was right. She put the doubt in my head, but also the idea of a student loan bill wasn’t something I would look forward to. Plus, I was only 24 and still in my partying stage. I felt I’d be missing out if I was home studying.

So, I canned the idea.

Looking back, I ask myself if I could do it all over again, would I go to college? Probably not. I had so many opportunities to go back over the year, and it’s just not an experience I wanted.

Deep in my heart, I truly believe we get everything we want in life. When you want something bad enough, you find a way to make it happen. For me, that was writing. And I see myself writing until the day I die. It was my dream since I was a teenager and realized I’m not a team player, so punk rock musician was out.

True writers write any chance they get. At 18 I was writing for a fanzine, called Punk, Junk, and Past Times, held together by staples and sold in a punk rock clothing store called Two Tone in Passaic, New Jersey.

For years when I held regular “day jobs” (but at cool places like publishing and music companies) I wrote on the side, waiting for that big dream to come true. I wrote poetry, which I performed in coffee houses and art galleries. I even co-wrote a play that I performed in, off-off Broadway called “Kiss My Asp.” It was in the same theatre as the famous play “Real Men Don’t Wear Plaid.” We went on after they did.

I also had poetry published in a German magazine.

Finally at age 32, I got a break. I was hired as assistant to the publisher for Outlaw Biker Enterprises and made friends with the editor of the tattoo magazines. Within a few months I was writing and being published!

I’ll never forget the night I was hanging out on St. Mark’s Place, with my friend Diane, getting ready to go to one of the Green Door Parties, where the late Howie Pyro, from D-Generation and Danzig, used to DJ. Diane wanted to get cigarettes. She walked to a news stand, and there it was — one of the tattoo magazines that had my fiction story in it!

That was the first time I got butterflies in my stomach over my career. Anyone in New York City could read my story!!

To this day, when I’m typing an article and under the headline “by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta” I can’t deny the thrill I get; after all these years.

And as for the photo above, that’s Mark Goodman, an original MTV VJ. I met him when a friend performed at William Paterson University a few years ago. The college I turned my back on, but in a way, it did bring magic into my life. College or not, I was determined to become a writer. And I did.

The fact that I became a writer without college angers some people. They feel I didn’t put in the time and don’t deserve it. Even my own mother once announced to a bunch of family members at a party that I wasn’t a “real” journalist because I didn’t go to college.

That was painful, but the statement was wrong. If you’re making a living doing something, of course it’s “real.” And it’s something to be proud of when you’re chosen to write for a publication, competing against those with a college degree, but you are the one to get the job.

If you feel college is for you then go for it. If not, don’t ever be ashamed for not going. It’s not for everyone. Those who didn’t go to college include: Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Katy Perry, Walt Disney, Coco Chanel, and Cameron Diaz — to name a few!

And whenever I get down on myself for not going to college, there’s THIS:

I loved this inspiring email my editor at Montclair Times, Mark Porter, sent to his staff years ago when I worked there. I felt it was too cool not to share:

Here’s a column from Poynter Institute that all of us in journalism will find interesting.

It’s the decades-long discussion on whether a college degree or MA in journalism has merit.

I’m of the opinion that it is not overly valuable. It’s more vital, in my perception, to major in another field — whether political science, history, teaching, biology or police science — and gain the experience by working for a college paper, freelancing for a professional publication, and proving yourself outside of the classroom.

A diploma in journalism certainly has value.

At a daily newspaper I worked at, the literally worst reporter on staff had a Masters Degree from the Columbia School of Journalism. She had no skills beyond mediocrity at every level.

In the same newsroom, one of the best investigative reporters was a high school dropout.

Yours, –Mark–

It certainly puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?

If you like this blog, feel free to support me at: https://ko-fi.com/maryannechristianomistretta

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

“The Gypsy Smiled” is now available in Barnes & Noble stores! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1132781418

“So You Think You Know the Jersey Shore?” is available at: https://omni-pub.com/product/so-you-think-you-know-the-jersey-shore/

And while we are celebrating, here is a wonderful article about the book: https://www.mypaperonline.com/beautiful-ride-in-maryanne-christiano-mistrettas-front-row-seat-to-the-jersey-shore.html

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit: Be (Extra)Ordinary

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: https://eroticbooknetwork.com/product/love-cats/

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos

Visit my business page, Pear Tree Enterprises, at: https://peartreeenterprises.wordpress.com/

Need a cat sitter in North/Central Jersey? Maryanne is a 5-star cat sitter: https://meowtel.com/cat-sitters/NJ/kenilworth/purrrrrfect-paws-cat-sitting