Higher Education

When I was in high school I felt pushed toward higher education in college.  We were told that all the jobs worth having required a college degree.  As I’ve grown in age and experience, I have found that this is not at all true.  There are many valuable jobs that require no college courses at all.  There are even jobs that will pay you for your work while you are being trained!  While I value the college education I have received, and the degrees I have are necessary in the field of education, college immediately after high school is not the only option.  If I could go back and do it all again, I probably wouldn’t have taken out loans to pay my way through completing college in four years.  I would have sought a way to work through college and pay as I went.  I also know there is more than one way to receive a higher education.

Technical training can be an alternative to college.  There are many valuable skills that can be learned and many high schools offer these options free of charge.  High school students that take advantage of technical training are employable in that field upon graduation.  Jobs in fields like electrical, plumbing, welding and construction are higher paying at entry with training or experience in that field.  These are careers that pay well, are always necessary, and do not require college.  They also provide a higher education.  If you've ever met someone who has worked at their trade for the past 30 years, you can see what an expert they are and how much education they have received through technical training and experience!

Experience is such a great teacher.  It can definitely be a hard way to learn, but the lessons it teaches stick with you for life.  I have worked as a teacher in multiple settings and have had colleges of all ages and experience.  No matter how much you train or learn or read in a book, a more experienced teacher will be better at classroom management.  I've seen teachers settle a classroom with a look, a look I tried to emulate but with no results.  It is a look that comes with experience.  It is like the "mom look", you can only have the look by experience.  No matter how much you study to prepare for a career, experience will make you better.  There is no shortcut for experience; you have to put in the time to gain it.  That time is worth it.  There are many valuable careers that only require the time and dedication to learning in the field and gaining the necessary experience to master that trade.

Another area or higher education that is rarely talked about or credited is personal study.  Some people like to spend four years and thousands of dollars studying something with few job or career options, such as philosophy, to earn a piece of paper verifying their study.  Others prefer a career while pursuing such a study on their own time.  With digital research and the availability of books, research, remote courses and other sources of information, it is easy to enhance your personal study of a subject with quality information.  Lively debates and discussions can occur not only in a classroom, but also in a coffee shop, public forum, or around your own dining room table.  If you can read and discuss, you can learn anything!  Christians are commanded to love God with their mind.  One part of that is to pursue the study of God's Word as well as areas of interest.  We can glorify God through our study and by teaching others what we have learned.  Discipleship is one of the best forms of higher education!  People who seek to be constantly learning will achieve that goal.  They will become well rounded people who are able to meet and converse with a variety of people, no expensive piece of paper required.  

Learning comes in all shapes and forms and continues for our whole life.  Sometimes we embrace and direct our learning through purposefully studying areas of interest.  Other times life jumps up and teaches us something we never planned on learning.  We should use every opportunity to grow closer to God and bring glory to him.  Embrace the learning opportunities He gives you, and seek to do what you love.  If that means going to college, do that in whatever way works best for you.  If that means another form of higher education, embrace that path and do your best!