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MosleyEssay31.docx

Running head: PURPOSE OF EDUCATION 1

PURPOSE OF EDUCATION 2

Essay 3

Thyiest A. Mosley

Park University

07 JUN 2019

Higher education or rather the chance to attend an institution of higher learning is something that most people envision. The motives behind the attendance may differ but one thing [“thing” is casual, overused] aspect that most people can agree on is that college is part and parcel of society. College, unlike high school, has much more significance. It offers a person an opportunity to write establish their his or her [pronoun/antecedent agreement: “person” is singular] own path. People who attended institutions of higher learning are revered, and failure to attend may make a person seem less knowledgeable even when they he or she [pronoun/antecedent agreement] are is successful. Mark Edmundson’s‘s essay, “Who Are You and What Are You Doing Here?” [no italics; quotation marks only] raises some questions about the validity of a college education in today’s world. While the quality of education in institutions has dwindled, Edmundson fails to recognize that skills acquisition, friendships and connections, and self- discovery are a crucial part of the college experience. Good introduction.

Chan (2016) notes that that higher education does not necessarily equate to having the necessary skills or the job. This [vague “this”; this what?] trend has been largely caused by the diminishing quality of education at institutions of higher learning. Universities are more focused on the financial aspects as they have become corporate entities. Schools are now more about how they could maximize their earning potential and less about students’ needs. Initially, universities main role was to focus on the personal development of the students, encouraging them to adopt their own values and increase their leadership potential. However, commercialization of colleges has resulted in a dual role for schools. Therefore, not only are schools tasked with the above responsibilities, but they are also required to promote college access, affordability and completion. Optics has become very crucial. [what does this phrase mean?] [the style of these sentences suggests that they are quoted from the original source; you should use quotation marks to indicate when you are quoting phrases or sentences from a source] Completion rates are equated to school’s performance;, [comma splice] thus the higher the completion rate, the more the school is regarded as a performer. Moreover, an increased tuition fee means that colleges maintain the stature that they have. The labor market is quite demanding and thus requires highly skilled professionals. Institutions have to adapt to this changing system to ensure that their graduates are ahead of the curve [casual expression]. After all [?], in recent years, many hiring managers feel believe that skills such as good communication skills, adaptability, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are much more beneficial than an undergraduate major [what is your support for this statement? What is your source?]. I believe that the emphasis should be more so on the skills acquired rather than the education itself, as the society needs well-rounded individuals who do not only have the knowledge but are better equipped to use it. What use would is a college degree if an employee can is not be able to solve problems without having to contact their his or her [pronoun/antecedent agreement] supervisor? This [vague “this”; this what?] situation would only create redundancies within the organization and consequentially waste resources.

Institutions of higher learning have a lot more to offer than a great [“great” is casual, overused] solid education. Emphasis has always been placed on the kind of college a person goes to. Students and parents alike prefer to go to Ivy leagues institutions but are often limited by a number of issues whether it they [pronoun/antecedent agreement] is are financial restrictions, low grades, or the rigorous process it takes to get into be accepted by a reputable institution. The prestige that comes with being an alumnus of such an institution is unheard of significant. Most of the American elite are proud alumni of Ivy-league colleges. Looking at the Forbes list or the C.E.Os of big firms, one notices that most of them are products of these institutions. College is typically about more than just the education;, [comma splice] it is a network that will guarantee future opportunities. It is a signal that a person is of a certain stature, and it is an identity that a person can share with others from all over the world (McCabe, 2016). That is why parents and students are caught in the admissions struggle every year. Several people have advanced the idea that where you go to college does not necessarily define who you are going to be. Mark Edmundson arguesd that the education one receives in college should be the focus for students and not the other aspects of the school. However, I opine believe that it is extremely hard difficult to focus on the kind of education one gets receives when the mere mention of which college a person is an alumnus of can result in an interview. That is the reason why students will always try to get enter these institutions, as they are a pathway to success. In addition, the connections that the student make will not only be an alley pathway to success but can also create well-adjusted students who have a support system both within and outside school that will help deal with whatever challenges they may face.

Self-discovery is a vital portion of the education system, and many people attending college are yet to figure themselves out (Benner, 2015). There are myriads of Many people who believe that choosing a career that a person loves is essential. The famous quote “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,”, has been used variedly to reiterate exprsses this notion idea best. Edmunson in his article spoke of how says his father persuaded him to choose a career path that he was passionate about rather than the one that had a better salary and perks (Greene, & Lidinsky, 2011 [incorrect parenthetical citation for this source]). Unfortunately, many people go through life without ever discovering their true passion. Dreams may be unrealistic even for those who discover their passions early enough. Life is full of discoveries even about you as a person. What may be appealing to a person when they he or she [pronoun/antecedent agreement] are is 18 years old headed off to college may not be as appealing 10 or 20 years later. When children are asked what they want to become, they all have dreams of grandeur. Nevertheless, life experiences may result in many people abandoning the paths for whatever reason. Therefore, advising people to follow their passions is great [“great” is casual] a good idea, but failure to understand that dreams and realities are two separate things is a bit of a fallacy. Moreover, happiness is not something that can be achieved in totality. One could always find something that fulfills them him or her [pronoun/antecedent agreement] other than their a career choice.

In conclusion, Edmundson’s view that the quality of education in colleges has deteriorated is completely founded [??] [founded? unfounded?] as the institutions and professors are engrossed with other issues such as public status and their own work [do you discuss this issue?]. However, I opine believe that college still has a lot much to offer students, friendships, connections, self-discovery, and acquisition of skills that are crucial to the current job market. While the education system in itself is defective [do you support or discuss this idea?], students should embrace the experience in its entirety and know that 2this experience could lead to life-changing opportunities and decisions. In addition, they should be proactive enough to acquire relevant skills they may not learn in college.

References

Benner, D. G. (2015). The gift of being yourself: The sacred call to self-discovery. InterVarsity Press.

Chan, R. Y. (2016). Understanding the purpose of higher education: An analysis of the economic and social benefits for completing a college degree. Journal of Education Policy, Planning, and Administration, 6(5), 1-40.

Greene, S., & Lidinsky, A. (2011). From inquiry to academic writing: A text and reader. Macmillan. [this is not the correct References entry for the Edmundson article]

McCabe, J. M. (2016). Connecting in college: How friendship networks matter for academic and social success. University of Chicago Press.