Why Education? by Meghan

Why Education? by Meghan - April 2015 Scholarship Essay

My father always told me to choose my career carefully. He said, "A career should be something you're passionate about." He would always use himself as an example; he flew commercial airplanes nationally and internationally for thirty-some years. He loved the constant change of scenery, cultural diversity, and greeting passengers as they boarded the plane. He even bragged, light-heartedly, about meeting Hulk Hogan, the famous wrestler, on one of his flights.

In order to make a wise career decision like my father, a person must pursue an education. Skills and knowledge are gained through practice and guidance from professionals in the career field you wish to enter. No one comes pre-programmed with the skills and knowledge necessary to fly a huge commercial airplane. My father certainly didn’t. Why would we expect anything less from any other profession? There are many challenging and fulfilling professions that require additional skill-sets and knowledge not taught in the public school system.

Choosing to pursue an education means that a student, like my father, chooses the career path he or she is most passionate about. Loving what you do for a living allows you to meet challenges with a zeal uncommon to individuals who simply work a job for the paycheck. This zeal and tenacity is the backbone of innumerable scientific discoveries and medical break-throughs, and it is what enables our country to remain competitive in the global market.

An education, or lack thereof, can also mean the difference between a lifetime of economic turmoil and well-deserved prosperity. If a person attends college and gains a particular skills-set that is in high demand and comes with some risks, then that person deserves to be well compensated for his or her expertise and high standard of excellence in performing his or her duties.

It is worth considering what life would be like without an education. Many jobs with competitive compensation and benefits packages require college degrees relating to a specific field of study. Employers want to know that an applicant is competent and able to meet and exceed the specific demands of the company’s industry. Without an education, these types of jobs are unattainable.

What types of jobs are available to people without a college education? The answer isn’t pretty: jobs requiring little to no specialty knowledge and skills. These jobs are often physically demanding, come with odd work schedules, and are notorious for offering low compensation and poor benefits, if any. Now imagine trying to support a family on an income hovering just above minimum wage. The bigger the family becomes, the bigger the financial burden, or dare I say misery, becomes. For me, the decision to obtain an education in a field I am passionate about is easy. Like my father, I too will wake up each morning invigorated by the possibilities that my workday holds.