Why?

I feel like I've complained about this before, but I'll do it again.

Why do people feel the need to openly judge my choice of being a server in the time I have to wait to go to optometry school? I hate it. I realize that it would be a better use of my degree to get an engineering job, but I don't want to a) get burnt out on a career path I don't want to follow anyway and b) work somewhere real for a year and then up and quit on the company.

Everyone has the same reasoning behind their logic that I should have gotten an engineering job: I'm wasting my natural abilities or as a smart woman I could "write [my] ticket anywhere". I hate that last bit, because it makes it sound like someone or something else is making me be a server and go to optometry school instead of a more lucrative engineering career. UGH.

I feel like I've made the choice that will make me most happy. And truly, I'm learning "customer service" which as a doctor is critically important! I wouldn't learn that behind a desk or in a research lab. I'm also not in dire financial straits. I make decent money, especially now that business is picking up again. I don't need to make a ton of money right now, I'm meeting my expenses just fine (even with the new car).

I wish people would keep their thoughts to themselves. It does me no good to hear them.