In his work, Plutarch once said: “For the mind does not require filling like a bottle, but rather, like wood, it only requires kindling to create in it an impulse to think independently and an ardent desire for the truth.” (Babbitt, Helmbold, Einarson, Clement, & O'Neil, 1927) That was true in Plutarch’s times and remains true until now. I am inclined to believe that it’s better to develop oneself in the field that is interesting to you rather than to fill your head with any “useful” information. Another question – what is interesting to me? I entered college 15 years ago without any precise plans for the future or clear understanding of personal aims. After two years of uncertainty, I finally decided to make a pause in my education to find myself and choose the most suitable sphere of life. And I do not regret it, since college is not something that you are obliged to attend, it is rather a thing helping you to become professional. Many people think that a college diploma is a key to success, but I don’t think so. You can get hundreds of diplomas, but if you don’t like what you do, you’ll never succeed. That’s why I am happy to have left college then and return to it now, when I exactly know what I want. Only now I can confidently say that college is important for me and for my career.
As I said, the main reason why I study is my desire to become professional. Having taken an interest in arts and technologies, I started working in the sphere of IT, gradually acquiring new skills. However, uncompleted undergraduate education has always prevented me from getting more prestigious positions, because diploma is usually an applicant’s advantage over others. Since I am an ambitious person, I have never said I am smart and qualified enough. That’s why I passed various courses and received certificates proving my expertise as a Security Specialist as well as few proofs of my competence in the IT sphere (for example, ITIL, Scrum Agile). They are, however, only the little steps towards the job of my dream.
“We work to become, not to acquire.” (Elbert Hubbard quote) – these words of Elbert Green Hubbard can be considered as my life credo. I have a good job now, but I know there are things that would help me become much happier. I am a security officer and also issue government employee badges and maintain the functionality – and perhaps it will suffice for somebody, but not for me. The work I really want to do should be inextricably related to my hobbies: over the years, I rediscovered my talents and passions in photography, film and editing. In my opinion, only real passion to the job combined with the high professionalism can lead a person to success.
Personally for me, success is not an abstract term, because today I have a precise objective. I am fond of photography and I hope to start my own business related to this passion. It is obvious now that I have decided to develop myself in the IT management field not only to find a good job, but also to get all the necessary skills for running my own media in the future. I have always been inspired by the famous people whose world-known businesses were started after 30 or even later: Raymond Kroc joined McDonalds in his 52, Joanne Rowling wrote the first book about Harry Potter when she was 31, Ford Motor Company was founded after the 40th birthday of Henry Ford. All these people were the drivers that made me enter the college and believe in success of my future business.
Answering the question “Why college is important to me?”, I want to return to the Plutarch’s and Hubbard’s words. Only one, whose job inspires him to new actions just as if a fire kindled wood, can become what he really is. And I consider college as a key to my future career in the sphere that is interesting to me – in the sphere where I will become a professional and that will bring me pleasure. Moreover, it will not just make me happy. I believe that the most profitable business is the one you devote your life to, and I am not afraid to spend my life in IT and photography since they are essential. That’s why college education for me is not just a possibility to get new knowledge, it is much more important. I am sure that everyone should find his place in the world and therefore both become happier and use his potential at full capacity.
Works Cited
P., Babbitt, F. C., Helmbold, W. C., Einarson, B., H., D. L., Clement, P. A., O'Neil, E. N. (1927). Plutarch's Moralia. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Elbert Hubbard quote. (n.d.). Retrieved February 04, 2016, from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/elberthubb124742.html
