Why Can't We All Be Famous? by Sophia

Why Can't We All Be Famous? by Sophia - April 2015 Scholarship Essay

Education – the systematic process of receiving information by studying particular subject matter or through life experiences. We are taught from a young age that an education puts the key to a successful life in our hands. If so, why are so many well-educated individuals left poverty-stricken? We have been led to believe that education is an investment. The more money, time, and effort you invest in your education, the greater the return you will receive in the future. However, with both college tuition and unemployment rates on the rise, there is truly no way for anyone to make that guarantee.

What do Adele, LeBron James, Jennifer Aniston, and Eminem have in common? Each pursued an education. Each coincidentally abandoned their pursuit in order to pursue their passion. They are the anomalies. They are the ones who made it big without breaking the bank and taking out $100,000 in student loans. What does that tell us? Passion and pure talent can overpower the importance of an education.

There are few select circumstances where an education merely acts as a safety net. An actor can act without recognizing the psychology behind the audience’s emotional reactions. A musician can write songs without understanding the physics behind the sound waves they produce. An athlete can run, jump, and shoot just the same without knowing what muscles allow him to do so. However, if their professional career fails, where does it leave them?

In my eyes, education simply helps individuals discover their passion in life. It gives them the tools that they need in order to further pursue their dream. A doctor cannot make an official diagnosis without proper training. A teacher cannot teach their students if they have not learned the lessons themselves. A scientist cannot make a rational hypothesis without having conducted any research.

Though some may view higher education as a waste of time and money, it is much more than that. It is a way to find yourself and ensure that each individual is given the tools necessary in order to succeed. However, a lazy and unemployed person with a masters degree is inevitably going to earn less money than a driven and determined blue-collar worker lacking a college degree. In my opinion, though an education is important, hard work and determination are even more important for a successful career.