Life After College: How Higher Education Prepared Me To Thrive - Essay Sample

Introduction

College education has adequately prepared me for life after school. I believe the purpose of higher education is to prepare me to pursue my ambitions both in my career and overall life through opportunities that enhance knowledge, skills, and creativity. Through various learning opportunities in college, I have gained critical skills that have prepared me to be an enlightened and engaged citizen capable of communicating clearly and thinking critically, ultimately able to thrive in my well-being. A college education is an extension of high school, and I believe it serves to elevate me to a higher level of inquiry in a way that engages and challenges the mind. Theoretical and practical knowledge that I have acquired through higher education offers a framework for exercises of the brain, both in imaginary and real-world situations. Moreover, the purpose of higher learning for me is not only for success in private life abut also solve problems that affect the whole society. Higher education is crucial for success in my life because its purpose for me is to broaden and deepen my thinking capacity that can lead to the achievement of career goals, progress, and solutions to social problems.

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What I Have Gotten Out of College

College offers valuable learning opportunities that improve communication skills and intellectual ability. Higher education has improved the level of my imagination, critical thinking, and oral and written communication skills. Specifically, a series of educational programs that are not limited to professional conferences, workshops, and seminars that I attended in college dramatically improved my communication skills. Other academic activities, like class presentations and group work, also enhanced my critical thinking, engagement, and enthusiasm. Throughout my college education, I have strived to perfect my oral and written communication since academic activities require rigorous communication skills. I value social skills that I have developed in college, and I believe it would be crucial for my future career.

I do believe that the purpose of higher education for me is to solve societal problems. College training requires one to apply knowledge to solve real-world problems as it provides forums for open thoughts. More importantly, colleges offer platforms for challenging pre-conceived ideas and doctrines, implying that it paves the way for addressing critical problems facing society. Scholars have argued that college education ought to serve the community more than it serves students (Petrache 1). Upon finishing their education, college students are expected to rise to their expectations rather than steering away from societal challenges (Petrache 2).

I think the ability to solve problems through research should be the result of college. The achievement of this goal is essential as it distinguishes graduates of higher education from high school students who have a lower level of inquiry. Unlike high school students who are conditioned to become passive learners, college graduates learn by making connections from principles (Neuby 4). While in college, for example, I have been trained to identify facts and assumptions, and more importantly, apply critical thinking skills. Besides, research and other academic works that I have handled in college require essential skills such as the ability to consider a range of alternatives, application of principles, and synthesis of information. I have mastered these skills through practice, and I perceive it as one of the most important things that I have gotten out of college. Moreover, I consider my competency to research as the achievement of my purpose of a college education as it would allow me to solve problems in my profession.

Research shows that most American students enroll in colleges for economic and social benefits (Chan 3). Some of these advantages, according to Chan, are advanced knowledge, improved health, higher salaries, and work benefits (3). The author's research supports my view that the purpose of higher learning is to pursue life ambitions and also improve knowledge for career growth and development. Students that I have interacted with in college also have a similar belief that higher education serves to train students in specific areas of study through programs and practices that improve their competency in the labor market.

Several programs enabled me to build my job skills while in college. Through club memberships, for example, I managed to build teamwork and leadership experience along the way. Other school programs like internships and externships also enabled me to breach a gap between practical and theoretical knowledge in my area of study. Besides, the presence of pivotal facilities in institutions of higher learning makes colleges essential facilities to advance knowledge and also build careers. While in college, I made good use of the available resources, including quality reading materials. I believe such skills-building opportunities in my college has paved the way for me to launch a successful career.

Conclusion

I do believe that the primary purpose of higher learning for me is to deepen my creativity and broaden my thinking capacity to allow me to pursue my life ambitions, solve problems, and develop my career. Also, I believe that the result of higher education should be the ability to think critically and communicate clearly, become an engaged, responsible, and enlightened citizen. While in college, I developed my communication skills, enthusiasm, and level of engagement through a series of academic activities. Besides, I have enhanced my intellectual ability and competency in researching by making good use of the available resource.

Works Cited

Chan, Roy Y. "Understanding the Purpose of Higher Education: An analysis of the Economic and Social Benefits for Completing a College Degree." Journal of Education Policy, Planning, and Administration, vol. 6, no. 5, 2016, pp. 1-40, https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/roychan/files/chan_r._y._2016._understanding_the_purpose_aim_function_of_higher_education._jeppa_65_1-40.pdf. Accessed 24 January 2020.

Neuby, Barbara. "Inquiry Teaching in the College Classroom." Journal of Effective Teaching, vol. 10, no. 1, 2010, pp. 4-21, https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1092197.pdf. Accessed 24 January 2020.

Petrache, Horia. Does College Education Serve Any Purpose? Indiana University- Purdue University Indianapolis. Indiana: Horia I. Petrache, 2014, https://lab59.sitehost.iu.edu/pdf/college-education-opinion-22feb14.pdf. Accessed 24 January 2020.