Education: a Pearl of Great Price by Angela

Education: a Pearl of Great Price by Angela - April 2015 Scholarship Essay

Someone once told me that an education is unnecessary and that on-the-job training is sufficient. I rebutted his vehement declaration with the statement that by studying at university one is learning from experts in the field. He implied that going to college does not make one an expert; it is not the only means of becoming a master. He is wrong, however, because for most subjects a college education to at least the level of master’s makes one an expert (or very nearly a true expert, as with subjects like history). This level of education can only be achieved through formal college experience. At the university level students are taught by experts in their field; that is, professors must have a doctorate degree to teach at the university level (or master’s level for fine art as no doctorate level exists for this subject; master’s is sufficient training of expert-level for fine art). Earning a doctorate degree takes years of research and writing - nearly 10 years, and in that time you are collaborating with and under the supervision of other experts. It is a team of these masters that grant one the same level. Thus, the process perpetuates.

Education is required to obtain this level of expertise; however, one does not need to study at this level to benefit from education. Indeed, anyone can profit from formal education because it provides one with theory, critical thinking, technical writing, and practical training of their specific subject matter. These qualities will in turn aid one in their chosen profession - whether its medical assisting, CEO, historian, or chemist - at whatever level they choose to study. Even if one obtains a degree in philosophy but works as a paralegal, the degree will truly aid one’s legal work by aspecting traits of critical thinking, analysis, and technical writing; these traits will help anyone in any type of career. A college education is so essential to provide one with not just skills training but with analytic training, teaching one how to think and deduce, and how to write well - arguably the most advantageous skill of all. If one writes well, one can make a good first impression; one who writes well is attractive to employers and exhibits to others that one is well-educated.

Some people relish in auditing courses without matriculating purely for the educational benefit. I have found that this can sometimes be more freeing than being a degree-seeking student. The element of fun is present which makes the learning more enjoyable and retainable. Learning for the pure enjoyment of learning finds its purpose in the fact that education can never be taken away from you. The desire to increase one’s knowledge through formal education is a noble quest that improves the mind and body and shows a reverence for learning. A worthy endeavor, to be sure.

Education has so many positive affects to a person and their chosen profession, whether that is in the ivory tower, on Wall Street, or in a medical office. An old axiom asserts that “education will never be as expensive as ignorance.” Truly, a college education provides one with such a depth of enlightenment and learning that cannot ever be taken away. Indeed, education is priceless.