Georgia Romain | Free Write | August, 25 2024

Abstract: This free-writing assignment for my COMM 1130 class at the University of Utah which asked us to reflect on something we’re an “expert” in. As a 20-year-old, I wouldn’t call myself an expert in anything yet. Instead, I consider myself a “jack of all trades.” I know a little about many different things, and I value the experiences that come from trying new things.

Life at this stage is about exploration—whether it’s learning a new hobby, picking up a skill, or diving into unfamiliar topics. I’ve dabbled in a variety of activities, from creative pursuits like crafting and crocheting to professional roles like working as a barista. Each experience has taught me something valuable, even if it hasn’t made me an expert.

I believe in the idea that trying everything at least once opens doors to unexpected opportunities. Being open to new experiences not only broadens my knowledge but also helps me figure out what I truly enjoy and where my strengths lie. While I may not have mastered any one thing, I’m building a diverse foundation of skills and perspectives that will shape my future. For now, being a “jack of all trades” allows me to keep growing and discovering who I am.

Would You Rather; Expertise or Jack of All Trades?

There are many different areas in life where I believe I shine. Academics have always been a strong suit of mine, not including mathematics and most sciences. I have always and will always be a more writing, language, history, geography, and arts-focused girl, (hence the Strategic Communication major). Anything that can stimulate my creativity, whether that is crocheting, coloring, or crafting, has always filled my free time. Reading, mostly fictional romance novels, memoirs, or thrillers occupy my time a great deal–though I don’t do it as much as I would like to anymore. I have never been the most athletically inclined but I do enjoy a good burst of exercise whether that’s running, yoga, or pilates. There are many facets that make up me as a person. There are many activities I enjoy doing–but I wouldn’t consider myself an expert in really anything–at this point in my life. 

I believe any and all experiences a person has shapes them in some way and some form, even if it’s as small as the bad service you might have had at a fancy restaurant or as big as the college you chose to go to that was 900 miles from home. Growing up in Colorado, I learned to ski at three years old. During 6th grade I decided I wanted to try snowboarding instead which my dad taught me. I was nowhere near an expert in skiing and am not all that good at snowboarding after nearly a decade, but those days on the mountain, cold and crying learning how to snowboard with my dad are days that I will cherish forever. Freshman year of highschool my mom and I decided to take a wheel-throwing pottery class from the local community college near us. It was the most enjoyable class I have ever taken to date. My mom and I took the class twice over and we each made dozens of pots, plates, and little trinket dishes that fill my childhood home with our initials etched on the bottom. When I have my own home one day, a pottery studio is a must–and maybe then I’ll become an expert at wheel-thrown pottery. 

During highschool I took four straight years of Spanish but I am not an expert. I can understand it pretty decently, written or spoken, but I have such a hard time putting it all together in conversation. I’m thinking of picking up Duolingo, so I can really mean it when I say I’m bilingual. I’ve tried my hand at a lot of different artistic ventures. Painting, collage-making, bullet journaling, crocheting, watercolor, embroidery, and photography to name a few. When I try something new–especially a new hobby–I tend to get fully invested for a month or two then completely forget about it and never touch it again–thoughtfully preventing any chance at expertise. Evidently expertise is not a strength of mine–but what it is–is my ability to give my all to anything when I’m learning something new. 

So is it better to be good at a lot of different things or an absolute expert in one to two “big” things? How I would answer that question is this: It’s better to do a lot of everything. Try this and that. Do things you’ve never done before. Learn from all your new experiences and just engage in any and all activities that “fill your cup” so to speak. This life is too short to not try anything at least once and enjoy absolutely everything you do. 

*This is a mock writing sample intended for educational purposes in my COMM 1130 class at the University of Utah. All views, opinions, and thoughts are my own.