Wes and I were driving back to the city recently and had an interesting discussion about education. You see, if I remember correctly, I was doing the hypothetical worrying thing that I do way too often. I asked him, "what if we get married and then we have a baby and then I stay home with the baby and because it's so hard to get a teaching job before I had a baby I never actually use this degree that I am working on because I never got a job and then I spent all that money on something (a degree) that didn't give us any money in return and then it's like I just wasted my time?" *insert breath here* At which point he started laughing, and then I did too because I realized how ridiculous that whole thing was.
After we both stopped laughing at me...
Wes made a very good point.
He said that he thought society had all the wrong ideas about education...viewing universities as a job factory. And I realized that in my nonsensical moment of worry, I had really had the wrong perspective all along. Thinking of university as a job factory is what I fall back on far too much.
"What it really is," he said, " is an investment in knowledge, in your own education as a person." Even if you never use your degree in terms of a job in the way society expects, you are still a better person as a result. You have still grown and expanded your knowledge. And it's true! I completely agree.
I can really tell how much I have grown in my time at school...learning to live alone, make a solid and concise argument, speak and act in a professional manner, how to manage my own money, and so many valuable teaching skills that can be used in a variety of contexts. Education is more than just a road to a job. It's about growing as a person and developing yourself in so many ways. I like to think of myself as a lifelong learner...learning this lesson was an important part of that journey. So thankful for my guy who humbles me in the gentlest of ways (and often, I think, quite by accident!).
I mean, let's be real. It's also where you learn how long you can REALLY go without grocery shopping, how to do ANYTHING from Pinterest, how to accomplish anything BUT listening to the lecture (I have seen people order delivery pizza, a group of guys watch a sports game, and of course there is the all-too-typical wedding dress purchases, among others), how to communicate just about anything over texting or Facebook because the long distance phone call is too stinkin' expensive. And don't you forget the acquiring free stuff skills that I have been sharpening. Crucial. A big thank you goes out to my friend, mentor, guru, and general free stuff aficionado Renee.
But seriously, pay attention to the first part of this post. It all goes downhill at the end. There is some genius up there though, promise! You should probably go read it again to remind yourself that I can write something useful. Go, read it! Up there.
And right now, I am thankful for a summer break to reflect on these thoughts about education :)
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| Pretend this is summer...see the sunshine? It's definitely summer in this picture. You can tell by Wes' facial expression that he agrees. |
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| Ok. This one is ACTUALLY summer. That better? And yes, I was terrified. I am like 40 feet off the ground, aren't I? You let someone do that to you and let me know if you have a more normal facial expression. Actually, on second thought, don't. Let's just all help me out and smile and move on :P P.S. side note, he's super cool. |
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