Lesson Learned by Joseph

Lesson Learned by Joseph - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my academic career, I have learned more than I could ever imagine. From learning the most effective way to study to even learning how to make lesson plans, I've learned many lessons from my teachers. I have always thought the lessons students learn from their teachers outside of the course content is far more valuable than the content itself. Sure, knowing how to multiply polynomials in algebra is great. But, learning how to be independent as a student and how to be organized is crucial. Teachers are incredibly important in a child’s life. The impact teachers have on students is second to only the parents of the child. Teachers can change lives. Many of my teachers and professors have impacted mine. But one particular professor truly opened my eyes.
His name was Bill Shields, a geology professor at Illinois State University. A man who teaches 1000-plus students, at most one per cent geology majors, Bill Shields is a fan favorite at ISU. People are always talking about how awesome of a guy he is and how funny and enjoyable his class is. He is also well known to help undecided students figure out what they want do with their life, sort of an extra advisor or mentor. As the self-proclaimed “most indecisive man in the world”, I decided I would go to his office one day to pick his brain. I told him what I wanted in my life, to help people, and I told him how I wasn’t sure which direction to go.
He then explained a rather long story of his life. What a life he has lived. He started out as a land surveyor. He worked for about five years and then became bored of it. So he decided to go to trade school and he then was an electrician. A few more years passed and next thing he knows, he’s through culinary school and is a head chef in a restaurant in Florida. A couple years go by and now he’s teaching a bunch of college students geology. What he said was to not be afraid of screwing up, or getting into the wrong career. He wanted to do what he was doing at every job he had, but he just got bored of it after a while and needed change. He told me it’s okay to have a change in heart.
His advice was really a two-for-one type of deal, as he emphasized the importance of having a “go-getter” mentality. I think this part of his advice spoke to me even more so. He told me how nothing would come to me in life and if I want to see change, I have to change and make it happen. He said I needed to make bold decisions and be willing to go out of my comfort zone in order to make strides in my life. It’s a competitive world and nothing good will come if I sit back and wait for change. “It’s just more fun that way, anyway,” I remember him saying while chuckling.
My parents have taught me many, many things in my life, but my teachers have also played a big role in who I am today. Bill Shields takes a lot of credit for what teachers and professors have done for me. Although Bill didn’t technically help me declare a major that day, he actually did when I realized how much of an impact one conversation can have. I learned so much about life from one conversation with a teacher. Because of that, I decided I want to be a teacher and a mentor for students. I want to have the same impact on my future students as Bill Shields does with his. I am going to do what makes me happy, teaching and helping students. But what I won’t do is sit back and let life take its course, I want to go out and live and have control over my life. Thanks, Bill.