Yes, it's true. I never finished college. My dad said I didn't need it -- only that I should type 80 words per minute and be proficient with Gregg shorthand so I could be a secretary. Wow, I thought (in 1970) a secretary is important to a company's success. She supports a powerful man, gets to sit behind a desk every day, work in a nice office, and wear nice clothes. Living the dream...
Ridiculous. In today's world, yes -- it is ridiculous. Secretaries are still important, but they aren't necessarily women, and don't necessarily support a powerful man, nor is typing 80 WPM or taking shorthand a requirement.
A simple example such as the one above is the basis for my stance on the importance of continuing education. It is almost impossible to live life and not continue to learn, but focused, deliberate and collaborative learning is what I'm talking about. In 2000 at the age of 45 I decided to go back to college. Getting my degree was a goal, but one with no focus. My first class was an algebra class and yes, I was scared to death, but so were the other "kids" in the class. Imagine the joy of realizing I was not alone and that yes, I could learn complex equations.
I met one of my best friends in that class 13 years ago. As I have continued on my journey, my life has been enriched by my advisor, many professors, students, authors, papers I have written, and countless hours of time spent thinking about and discussing topics, theories, community groups, civic engagement, whether to end a sentence with a preposition, or to cut funding for HeadStart.
A person who thoughtfully continues their education is one whose mind is open to new things and ideas. This person is better equipped to handle the world to come by understanding the one that is past. Different races and ethnic groups mingle with different generations and are exposed to other's plights as never before.
Metro State University's Perspectives 301 teaches us what it means to be educated. It does not mean that one must get a college degree, but it does mean that we continue the quest to learn and to be aware of our learning and to share it by bettering our lives and the lives of those around us.
How can we expect to understand and attempt to solve the world's problems if we don't even know they exist? Understanding the importance of philanthropy, corporate governance, poverty, and learning how to raise caring and action through the use of social media is just one more thing that can be attributed to my continuing education. I can leverage these tools and this knowledge but is the result if no one knows about it?
Each of us must make the case for continuing education by encouraging our families, co-workers, friends, and those in our blogosphere so that we can leave this earth in harmony for generations to come.
I am also into continuing education... but I do it strictly for me and that it MAY help me get a little more ahead. I wish I would have finished my degree a long time ago. Most "secretaries" (now "admins") are still women. I highly doubt the glass ceiling will be broken any time soon. I know so many brilliant women, and they have rich careers but female execs and leaders are still at such a low percentage- even, amazingly, in institutions that are dominated by women, now and traditionally. It truly is insidious.
ReplyDeleteLike hospitals for instance. Mine- one female executive, in an organization that is 75% women. Just talked to a friend of mine last night who's an accomplished doc at Sloane Kettering in NY. She's very often the only woman at conferences, high-end fundraisers, etc. And to add to the odd position she holds, she is not married- which DOES MATTER. Hardly any female execs in her hospital either. What gives?
It's amazing to think how much this world has changed since the 1970's, and of course that means how extremely different jobs are in at least our first-world countries. With that, I think the educational system should change. College degrees should require fewer classes, and majors that are relevant to the current job market should be encouraged a lot more. Additional classes even after one has earned the highest degree they care to have should continue to be taken more often to keep up with the ever-changing job world and for personal enhancement, but if only they were a lot cheaper and/or financial aid would also be given to them...
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