Our Hope by Jenifer

Our Hope by Jenifer - April 2015 Scholarship Essay

The ultimate purpose of education is to benefit those who wish to pursue it. It is a stepping stone for all students who take this path. The number one reason they attend college is to advance in their career or towards life goals. Many students choose college as an avenue to advance in their career or as a major step towards achieving their life goals. Education is often thought of as an investment for the future. Typically, the more education an individual receives, the more valuable of an asset they become to any company. It increases pay and benefits in many fields. The choice to attend college is usually made because of these benefits. As an aspiring educator myself, I attend college to receive the degree that will enable me to accomplish this task. As in many career paths, I cannot pursue this field without a college education.

I often hear the words “education” and “knowledge” used interchangeably, as if they were synonyms. While this is not entirely accurate, the confusion is completely understandable. Attending classes through an educational institution is the most commonly practiced avenue to attain knowledge, which is important to many people. “Knowledge is power.” This is an expression I heard several times growing up, as most children do. It is not about positional power or power over other individuals. The “power” is the ability to control one’s destiny. Without the proper knowledge to accomplish my goals, I am powerless to do so. When I gain that knowledge, the possibilities are limitless. Gaining this knowledge is definitely important, but in my opinion, applying the education is the most essential step of the process.

Aside from becoming an English teacher, I have a plan to co-found a non-profit organization to help end homelessness in the United States. After noticing a high number of homeless individuals in the nation’s capital, my friends and I decided to make lunches and pass them out one weekend. My goal is to implement the strategy of Occupy Madison, another active group for homelessness located in Madison, Wisconsin. The group built a village of nine tiny homes in addition to restrooms, showers, and a community garden for homeless members in the city. I would take this strategy and partner with businesses such as Plaza Cleaners from Portland, Oregon. This company has a policy where they clean clothes at no charge for any unemployed personnel with an interview for a potential job. With access to clean clothes and a shower, they have a greater chance of acquiring the job. The education I receive will help me accomplish all of these goals. As an English major, I will be able to offer resume writing workshops for the people who wish to utilize that resource. It would be a great way to apply my education to this goal. Also, the contacts and networks I establish during my tenure as a student will help me advance this organization and benefit the most amount of people it can.

There are so many reasons that I chose to become educated. I love learning new concepts and being able to relate what I learn to real-life scenarios. I enjoy being challenged in the classroom. I have so many aspirations for my future, and they are all dependent on receiving the proper education. Education is meant to improve people. Its true purpose is to give everyone the advantage of knowledge and power. It provides society with the ability to understand everything around it. It allows me to envision a better future for myself and my community. In the end, education is hope.