In our individualistic society it is a common belief that the strong, lone voice is an animating force behind every kind of success. Along with this belief is the “up-by-your-own-bootstraps” and “do your own thing” approaches to living that individuals believe frees them from having to prepare themselves within the traditional institutions or formats—colleges and universities—for their future lives. Why do these beliefs in individual achievement and self-fulfillment occur? There are three basic reasons. First, the story of college dropouts who became successful—with the prominent one being Bill Gates, the richest man in the world—dominate people’s thoughts and fantasies and draw them into trying to do the same. Second, lotteries, gambling, instant cash prizes, and pop idols lure some from education to taking chances on wealth with hopes for a successful, happy, secure future. Third, the Internet tends to level the playing field for many. That is, it allows start-up companies with little capital to compete in the world market just as it gives everyone an equal opportunity to express themselves. With a level playing field, who needs an education?
We need more educated, informed people in this world. Of course, there will be exceptions, but as technology becomes an even greater factor in everything we do, the need for educated, informed people grows coordinately.
There is no substitute for a college or university education. I’m not suggesting that it is the “be-all” and “end-all” of solutions designed for everyone, and I’m not suggesting that everyone is likely to make the “proper” use of it. It doesn’t necessarily make people better thinkers, nor does it guarantee they will be better citizens, but the likelihood of both outcomes becomes more probable with a college education. With better thinking and responsible citizenship as a student’s primary goals, however, those outcomes are all but certain.
Why is it that technology makes education more in demand? People can now access more types of networks than ever before, and they are accessible globally. Even local community debates resonate globally. Messages between close friends and family are now visible on blogs, in virtual communities, and through webcams and photo-sharing sites. In a progressively more networked society, the future prospect of citizens being connected at any time, in any place, means that massive interconnection opportunities grow more likely. Enormous amounts of information will pass in both directions in service channels, and the major challenge is that everyone has is to make sense of it all. How do we give it meaning? This is not just true for citizens but for service designers as well.
There are new social-networking sites, Wikis, communication tools, and folksonomies, and these emphasize online collaboration and sharing among users. Never before has so much information, so much collaboration and sharing, and so much communication been available at the slight movement of a mouse. This isn’t fantasy; this isn’t a dream; this is reality, and it is here. It is the way business, education, and professional transactions will take place in the future, and the very least that education can and will do is continue to introduce new technologies, prompt the asking of intelligent questions, and promote the camaraderie, teamwork, and collaboration that is one of the ancillary, if not one of the direct, benefits of education.
If any student who is in school today—at any level—has not gotten the message, it is time to make certain it is written in large letters, blinking in bright colors, posted directly in front of them so that they cannot miss it: do not drop out of school. Stop the excuses! “I don’t want to study.” “School doesn’t excite me.” “I just can’t get into it.” “I was not cut out to be a student.” “Teachers don’t make it exciting.”
There are few jobs out there beyond fast-food, grocery workers, bank clerks, and other positions in the retail marketplace or service professions. Do you want to be a garbage collector or lawn-service provider for the rest of your life? Try raising a family, buying a house, and making your dreams come true, based on one of these salaries!
Whether the job you want requires a college education or not, you are likely to find that without one, you will quickly discover there is a ceiling beyond which you cannot progress—no matter what business or profession you are in. Even if your goal is to open an Internet business and make millions of dollars online, remember that often the success of Internet companies rely on the skills and credibility of those in positions of control and authority. Because of a college education, you are likely to have improved writing and communication skills, and these will be revealed in every message you send, contact you make, interaction you engage in, and website message you construct.
When your credibility is on the line, your preparation and background will be transparent to those who it will be necessary to persuade and influence.
So, is just any college education good enough? The true answer is “Yes.” It doesn’t matter where you obtain it. But, for yourself, it does matter what skills you gather for yourself. Think about the skills that will best suit what you want to do. Some basic understandings about business will be helpful, just as some basic math, economics, and computer skills will be, too. Take basic courses in English to gain as much experience in writing as you can. Basic psychology, sociology, and any courses that contain sections on intercultural understandings will be useful. Courses in interpersonal, small group, and public communication, without a doubt, will assist you, too, in becoming a well-qualified, college educated, individual.
The purpose of your college education should be to strengthen your foundation, broaden your understandings, and deepen your thinking. Remember, the goal is not to make you think in any specific direction; the purpose is to make you think, organize your ideas, draw meaningful conclusions, and deal with ideas in a mature and serious manner. There is no better place than college to accomplish this.
At the University of Maryland, University College website, there is an essay entitled “The Benefits of a College Education.” The essay discusses the financial benefits as well as the importance of skill development, and networking.
At the website, “The Poly Post,” sponsored by California Polytechnic University - Pomana, there is an essay by Katherine Burnside entitled, “College degree still necessity,” in which she supports the idea that today, very few people become successful without a college degree. Burnside’s is a well-written, important essay.
Contact Richard L. Weaver II
