Future Management ROP by Kendra

Future Management ROP by Kendra - August 2015 Scholarship Essay

If I could create a course in the high school curriculum I would create a future management ROP course. In this course, it teaches students how to balance check books, write checks, pay bills and taxes and teach them how to actually be adults. In high school teachers focus so much of their time and effort on actually teaching us math and English and history, that they aren't teaching us real life skills.

Growing up I never had to worry about money or my electricity being cut because my parents always payed the bills on time. However, I have no idea how to balance a checkbook or fill out a W-4 form. We need to be taught these life skills. They are important! We no longer become accustomed to writing in cursive or how to type on a computer without looking at the keys. We aren't taught all of the endless jobs that exist in the world. We are taught the basics— lawyers, doctors, teachers, police officers, veterinarians, astronauts. Many of us don't know how many jobs are out there until we actually get to college and change our major ten times.

My counselor isn't even aware of all the job opportunities that are in the work force. He doesn't know which classes I should take or even which college to go to. How am I supposed to figure out my future at 16 years old? We are expected to be taught by our parents, but they were never taught either.

Paying bills and taxes is just the tip of the iceberg in the world of debt. We work and work and work to get our money taken away from us by taxes and the rest is sent to paying bills. Earning nine dollars an hour does not pay the bills! We need to be taught on why school is important and taking care of a family is expensive and if you don't balance your checkbook out correctly your credit will tank. Most kids don't even know what credit is! We need to be taught these life skills so we can be productive civilians in society.