There is no doubt that a college or university education is extremely valuable to an individual who is striving to improve his career and the life of his family. Statistics and data put together by numerous independent organizations have verified the value of a college degree for many years. Parents have been repeating the mantra of “go to college” to their children for decades, but I believe a stronger message will be sent if my children see me go to college and witness how I benefit from it.
A college degree has become vitally important to my personal employment situation, because after thirteen years serving as a police officer for another city, I have recently taken a job as an officer in my own community, and where as a college degree was not a prerequisite for promotion at my previous department, it is a requirement at my new department. If I desire to move up the ranks, then I’ll need to obtain a college education. For the betterment of my family’s future, and for my own future, I am proceeding towards that goal of obtaining a promotion.
I have known and understood the importance of a college education for my whole adult life, but due to my employment situation, the energy and time required to achieve a college education did not mesh with my immediate realities – until this moment in my life. Now the reality is that if I wish to experience all of the benefits that go along with a promotion, I must challenge myself to find the time and energy needed to work full-time and get an education.
Fortunately, finding myself at a new department with new colleagues and supervisors to impress, has given me the drive and the inspiration I need to put in the hard work that is always necessary when bettering yourself. My goals and dreams – with reference to a college degree – are driven by more than my own personal career objectives. I am the proud father of three children, and one of them will be graduating from high school this coming spring. Knowing that my pursuit of a college education at this point in my life will likely stimulate my own children to go on to college is a large part of what drives my dreams right now.
It is easy for a father that did not complete college to tell his child – “Don’t do what I did and settle for a high school diploma” – but it packs a lot more punch when that father actually enrolls in college courses with the firm goal of completing the degree. The College Board organization has published a well-researched document called “Education Pays 2004 – Trends in Higher Education Series” by Sandy Baum and Kathleen Payea. In the 56-page research document there are the many predictable recommendations for getting a college education.
But beyond the obvious advantages of a college education, there are other positives. For example, “The young children of college graduates display higher levels of school readiness indicators than children of non-college graduates” (Baum & Payea, 2005, p. 8). Moreover, the report continues, after they graduate from high school, students whose parents have attended college are “…significantly more likely than those with similar incomes whose parents do not have a college education to go to college themselves” (Baum & Payea, 2005, p. 8). I am also sharing with my children the facts of life relative to education.
For example, higher levels of education “correspond to lower levels of unemployment and poverty,” Baum explains (2005, p. 7). With the economic downturn – and signs of another possible recession at hand – and so many people out of work, I want my children to have the best possible options for their future. The University of Maryland University College (n. d. ) also explains that a college education helps young people “…develop… skills in reasoning, tolerance, reflection and communication” (para. 3). I want my children to be able to solve problems and to cope with unexpected crises that they will be confronting.
Learning reasoning and communication skills will be enormously helpful to them as they mature and become part of the adult world. In conclusion, finding myself at a new employer and amongst a new set of colleagues has given me the drive to ensure I put in the hard work necessary to establish myself as a future leader in the organization. In addition, I am also very motivated to set a good example for my children. If they decide not to attend college, that will be their choice, but I don’t want them to turn away from their future educational opportunities simply because their father never got his college diploma.
Every parent wants the best possible future for their children, and I know I am no different than millions of other parents. I am uniquely positioned to make a very positive impression on my children, which could help drive their dreams of a better future.
Writing a Descriptive Paragraph
For my Descriptive Paragraph, look at the two main characters: Sherlock and Watson. Be sure to include physical, personality traits, as well as any key items that you notice. Describe factually, not proven point. Make sure your writing is reflective of describing the character without opinions. It’s a short Video from an episode of BBC’s Sherlock (When they 1st meet).