Like so many people in my generation, I spent my whole life thinking that there was one purpose to existence – graduating from high school, going to college and starting a career. And while parts one and three of that scenario still make great sense, that middle section is an area where my opinion has definitely changed.
Don’t get me wrong – I still think that college is indispensable when it comes to a lot of careers. Can you imagine getting treated by a doctor with a GED or a six-week training course? What if your lawyer got their training from some low-level instructors at a weekend academy? And how would you feel if you found out that the high-rise you were living in was designed by some kids using Roblox?
All of those are unthinkable, but it’s equally undesirable to shove young people with no interest in (or ability to handle) the university system. They might want to be electricians, EMTs or cosmetologists – areas that require training, but not college degrees. All three of these can result in fulfilling and even lucrative careers, but untold time and money will be wasted if those young people are instead shoved into colleges.
It took me watching my daughter and two of my stepsons pursue their passions before I changed my mind. Granted, I’m still teaching at a magnet school that specializes in medical careers. But even as I encounter students each day, I know that some of them will forego college and follow a path toward a different career. I still want them to be armed with skills that will serve them well in their lives – the ability to read and discern, the ability to write effectively, the ability to do basic math, an appreciation for history and its importance, and a basic understanding of scientific principles. All of these things – and more – make a difference in the quality of our lives.
But when I’ve encountered students who show no interest in or aptitude for college, a younger version of myself might have tried to talk them out of that path and steered them toward higher education. I’ll never talk anyone out of college if that’s what they want to do, but my older, wiser self will always encourage young people to do their best and strive toward a meaningful goal – even if that goal is nowhere near a college or university.
