Don’t let your education happen to you
I have met recently with a fair number of graduates, educators, and leaders of entrepreneurship and sales programs. Every single person agrees, students must take more control of their educational journey.
Written By Doug Burris
Education, whether you're in high school or college, is often seen as a straightforward path with a clear destination: graduation. It’s a system designed with a set curriculum, guiding you through subjects and skills that lead to a diploma or degree. But when you look deeper, you’ll see that education is more than just a means to an end. It’s a platform—a construct—that gives you the opportunity to create your own unique journey.
The Construct of Education
At its core, education is a framework. It’s built to provide you with the basics—knowledge, skills, and the qualifications needed to move forward in life. Schools and universities are designed to help you reach specific milestones, like graduating from high school or earning a college degree. Along the way, these institutions also benefit from your success as it reflects well on them and sustains their operations.
But this construct is not the whole story. The true value of education goes beyond the classroom and the curriculum. It’s about what you make of it.
Your Path, Your Journey
Within this educational framework, you have the freedom to carve out your own path. Sure, there are required courses and tests, but how you engage with your education is up to you. You can choose what interests you, explore different subjects, and pursue passions that might not be part of the official curriculum.
A college degree, while valuable, is not a golden ticket to a job. It’s important to understand that in today’s world, simply having a degree doesn’t guarantee employment. The job market is competitive, and employers are looking for more than just a diploma—they want skills, experience, and the ability to adapt and grow.
This is where networking and seeking guidance from mentors and advisors outside of the educational system can make a significant difference. Building a network of contacts in your chosen field, finding mentors who can offer advice and support, and seeking out advisors who have real-world experience can open doors to opportunities that aren’t available through traditional education alone.
Why It Matters: Education provides the structure, but you bring the creativity. You can use this time to discover what excites you, what challenges you, and what you want to pursue in life. Whether it’s through elective courses, extracurricular activities, internships, or independent projects, you have the power to shape your own educational journey. By networking and building relationships with professionals, you gain access to knowledge, opportunities, and insights that can accelerate your growth and career prospects.
Take Action: Don’t just go through the motions of school or college. Take ownership of your education. Ask questions, seek out opportunities, and don’t be afraid to explore beyond what’s required. This is your time to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your future. Engage in activities that build your experience, whether it’s volunteering, part-time work, or starting your own projects. Reach out to professionals in your field of interest, attend networking events, and seek out mentors who can guide you. These experiences, combined with your degree, will make you stand out in the job market.
Conclusion: Make Education Your Own
Education is more than just a series of steps leading to graduation. It’s a platform that offers you the chance to create something meaningful for yourself. While the framework is there to guide you, the journey is yours to shape. Use this time wisely, explore your interests, and take control of your path. In the end, your education will be as unique as you are, reflecting not just the knowledge you’ve gained, but the person you’ve become along the way. Remember, your degree is an important tool, but it’s what you do with it—how you apply your skills and experiences, and the network you build—that will open doors to your future. Surround yourself with mentors, seek advice from those who’ve walked the path before you, and leverage these relationships to accelerate your opportunities and achieve your goals.