Why Is A College Education Important to Me?
Buckhalter
EN110.6.1 Achieving Academic Excellence
Lesson 5 Writing Assessment
September 26, 2014
Why Is A College Education Important to Me?
Henry Ford, said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” For years, I thought I was just too old to return to school. However, for 20 years, I’ve worked in a career that provided great financial stability, but it never brought happiness. When I was laid-off, I made the decision to not return to the corporate world; instead, I started my process of becoming a successful counselor and motivational speaker. Spending time with my family and doing what makes me happy are my overall goals in life. So here I am forty-one and enrolled in college.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics the number of middle-aged people in college, graduate school or technical school is projected to rise to 4.1 million by 2015. I am proud to be a part of this statistic. I believe we can’t look back at what we should have done; we need to move forward and make the best out of what we can do now. This past June, I attended DePaul University School for New Learning Commencement Ceremony. Tecora Rogers, a 59 year old Masters Graduate gave the graduating class commencement address. While, I wish I can share her entire speech, the following is what stuck with me most. “For years I have worked in a corporate environment and promoted the values of others. I am at a point in my life where it is important to me to promote my own values as they relate to my community.” I felt she was talking to me. For years I’ve worked in the Marketing/Advertising industry promoted and watched others advance, while I stayed in the same position. If, Tecora can go back to school in her 50’s, I can go back in my 40’s. Vickey Kalambakai the author of The Advantages of Being an Older Student says, being an older student we know exactly what we want. While, Tecora wants to promote her values
EN110.6.1 Achieving Academic Excellence
Lesson 5 Writing Assessment
September 26, 2014
Why Is A College Education Important to Me?
Henry Ford, said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” For years, I thought I was just too old to return to school. However, for 20 years, I’ve worked in a career that provided great financial stability, but it never brought happiness. When I was laid-off, I made the decision to not return to the corporate world; instead, I started my process of becoming a successful counselor and motivational speaker. Spending time with my family and doing what makes me happy are my overall goals in life. So here I am forty-one and enrolled in college.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics the number of middle-aged people in college, graduate school or technical school is projected to rise to 4.1 million by 2015. I am proud to be a part of this statistic. I believe we can’t look back at what we should have done; we need to move forward and make the best out of what we can do now. This past June, I attended DePaul University School for New Learning Commencement Ceremony. Tecora Rogers, a 59 year old Masters Graduate gave the graduating class commencement address. While, I wish I can share her entire speech, the following is what stuck with me most. “For years I have worked in a corporate environment and promoted the values of others. I am at a point in my life where it is important to me to promote my own values as they relate to my community.” I felt she was talking to me. For years I’ve worked in the Marketing/Advertising industry promoted and watched others advance, while I stayed in the same position. If, Tecora can go back to school in her 50’s, I can go back in my 40’s. Vickey Kalambakai the author of The Advantages of Being an Older Student says, being an older student we know exactly what we want. While, Tecora wants to promote her values
Bibliography: Kalambakal, V (2008, January). The Advantages of Being an Older Student. Retrieved from http://www.back2college.com/advantage.htm Drucker, H (2012, May). Going Back to College as an Adult: The Benefits. Retrieved from http://www.brighthub.com/education/college/articles/72340.aspx Harper, N [Neal171]. (2014, June 14). Tecora Rogers DePaul University Graduation Speech, [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N3BKpS99LA