The purpose of education by priya

The purpose of education by priya - April 2015 Scholarship Essay

What is the purpose of education ? I agree with the conventional answer that an education is necessary to be successful at a career and in life. People need to understand how to read, write, and calculate numbers in order to have a career. However, I believe that there are different forms of education that can each have a significant impact on a person’s life.

My parents emphasized the importance of doing well in school so that I could attend a good college and get a great job. They were absolutely right in believing that education is the key to success. I made good grades in high school and went to college to further my academic education. While in college, I begin to see there was a different type of learning that was happening. I began to see how politics, gender, and race affected a person and their ambitions. I started to understand how some people could get away with certain acts, while others were constantly under scrutiny. Being in college and away from my parents showed me how life worked in the real world. Making good grades and being a decent person were not always enough to get what you want in life.
The tragic event, 9/11, happened while I was in college. I was pre-med at that point and was going to be a doctor. That historic day changed my perspective about many things, including what I wanted to do with my life. I decided to join the Dekalb County Police Department, and I became a police officer. I worked as a police officer and detective for over twelve years, and I began to comprehend a new type of education. I learned about handling disputes, how to fight, shooting, and how to investigate crimes. The police department introduced me to a different sort of politics, and that those in charge do not always do the right thing.

I believe the purpose of education is to learn new things and understand how life works in the real world. Learning History, Math, and English is important in the academic sense. Understanding the inner workings of politics, bias, and prejudice is a different sort of education that will help one succeed in life and handle the stresses that come with it.