“What is College Good For?”

By Nakesha S. Willis

According to research, college is an educational institution or establishment providing higher education or specialized professional or vocational training. In my opinion, college is an awesome investment because having knowledge and being trained in a certain field may make your living someday. Let’s see what others think about it!

         Many have raised the question of whether college is worth the investment. Many people, like me, believe knowledge is everything! Most professions or occupations today require a certain level of degrees and experience.  In the article Professor: Value of College Extends Beyond Paycheck by NPR Staff, Professor Mike Rose, speaks on the importance of getting an education. He is adamant that we are not learning just to make a living, but to assure that you will be able to pursue the things you desire most. I definitely support that statement. I have always been told that nothing will be handed to you, it is up to you to work hard for what you want to accomplish. Louis Menand stated in Live and Learn: Why we have college that college exposes future citizens to material that enlightens and empowers them, whatever careers they end up choosing. By that, he meant college is to prepare you for what you choose to pursue. If you skip out on that experience, you’re missing a valuable part of your life. College teaches a great deal of responsibility. It’s an environment where you should network and learn new things each day.

Will students today occupy jobs that do not yet exist? As stated in Don't Miss the College Forest for the Career Trees, a college may not always be able to anticipate what technical skills students will need about ten years from now. That article stated thirty percent of students will work in jobs that do not exist yet and sixty percent graduate in majors different from those in which they began. Being a college student, I know that’s a fact. People change their majors multiple times throughout their college duration for various reasons. One of those reasons would be due to the fact that people think they wanted to pursue a career but had no idea of what all intelled and realized it wasn’t for them. Many people want to know, does a degree vary in importance based on your field of study? There are various statistics that gives responses to this question; one being How Much Is a College Degree Worth? Depends On Your Major. I believe all degrees are important. While pursuing a career, you learn many things. With most majors, students are allotted the opportunity to intern in their field to get an idea of the type of work that is to be done.

All in all, if you ask me, college is a priority. Knowledge is key! It’s up to the individual to decide whether or not they want to do what it takes to obtain their goal! I am here to succeed in the field of Elementary Education/Collaborative Teaching and that’s what I’m adamant about.

 

Labels:

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2011/06/06/110606crat_atlarge_menand

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bobby-fong/dont-miss-the-college-for_1_b_1677766.html

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/05/27/136613490/how-much-is-a-college-degree-worth-depends-on-your-major

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/11/137093258/professor-value-of-college-extends-beyond-paycheck

"WHY College?"

"Why College" is a question that reminds me of my purpose for being here at JSU. That brings me to the question "Why Not College?" College is supposed to be a place and a chapter in your life where you explore new atmospheres, meet and network with new people, and study in the field of your choice. I am an Elementary Education/ Collaborative Teaching major. People often say that I am following in the footsteps of my dad, granddad, cousin, grandmother, and godmother. My dad is principal at Smith Middle School in Birmingham, Al and my granddad was a driver's education instructor and assistant principal at Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham as well. My cousin has been teaching elementary education for about four years now. My grandmother has taught all grade levels and was principal at a high school in Mobile, Al. My god-mother teaches juniors and seniors at a high school in Mobile also. So, I guess it could be said that 'it's a family thing'! I am very passionate about working with kids and it is and has been my aspiration to pursue that field. Not only will I change lives but it has benefits as well. Some benefits would be free summers and holidays. I am aware that a child's elementary years are the most valuable moments of their lives. Children deserve to be educated and motivated in the same setting and that's my goal. I worked at a summer camp for the past three years with 3rd and 5th graders. That experience made my decision even more easier to come upon. I not only want to achieve my life-long aspiration but I strive to make my family proud and make a positive difference in my community through educating kids who will one day be the future of our world. :)

Welcome to My World :)

    Hello, my name is Nakesha Willis. I am a student at Jacksonville State University, majoring in Elementary Education/ Collaborative Teaching. I was born on December 5 during the "Blizzard of '93." I'm from Birmingham, Alabama. I am a graduate of Ramsay High School. I cherish several things but the most important would be my relationship with my family and God! I have one younger sister and four god sisters, 3 younger and one older. My hobbies include dancing and shopping. I have danced for 15 years since age three. Christopher Reeve once said,  "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." That quote has been my inspiration for the past couple of years. I find comfort in knowing that I can and will be whatever I set my mind to strive for, for faith without work is dead! My support system is and has been strong. That system consists of my parents, other family members, friends, and mentors. With that being said, I look forward to this course and the challenges it may have in store!