The idea of college is different than it was 30 years ago. Back then it was more of a choice, or better yet, a privilege to continue your education by attending a university. Now, I can't help but think that I did not really have the option of not going to college. Both of my parents did, and they came from much less fortunate families than they raised me in, so why wouldn't I go? I felt it would be a shame for me not to, so I chose to attend my mother's alma mater, Purdue University.
It seems to me that getting a degree these days is the typical “next step" after high school. Whether it is a technical degree or a bachelor's degree, it has become the norm to earn one. The rarity of a degree has lessened over the years as more and more people attained them. With so many collegiate individuals, the depth in education for all different fields has expanded. With that, the need for experts in each and every one of those fields has greatly increased. If you are passionate and successful in the area of study that you choose to pursue, then your degree is a damn good one to have.
Purdue University is best known for its top-notch engineering and science programs. People all around the world respect this university for its challenging education and well-rounded students and I take pride in this. However, I am in the school of management, also known as not the school of engineering. Although the Krannert School of Management is an amazing and high-ranked program, I have had multiple people tell me to my face that my education is not as important or challenging as their engineering education is, and I will not make as much money or be as successful as them. Lucky for me, I am passionate about my major, and I am not going to let them influence me into thinking that I am any less important just because of what I am studying in school. I dare any chemical engineering student to take accounting classes for four years. Likewise, I would not stand a chance in any chemistry class beyond the high school level.
There is an adage that I'm sure many of you readers have seen before. It goes a little something like this: If you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. I love this little gem because it relates to just about anything you apply it to, including education. Every student has his or her own strengths and weaknesses. For some, they thrive by learning how to perform open-heart surgery. For others, they get excited to work through a two-page math problem and take every math course their university has to offer. Neither is better than the other. Minds aren't meant think alike. That is what makes us unique and interesting.
The grown-ups drilled into our heads since we were in kindergarten that individuality is something to strive for, so why do people have a hard time understanding why everyone does not want to earn the same degree? An individual's worth is not measured by the words written at the bottom their diploma, but rather by the hard work that was put forth to earn it.
You are defined by your passion and originality. You are defined by the morals you have and the company you keep. You are defined by the effort you put into your classes and the love you have for what you do. You are not defined by what you choose to study in school.
