Abstract
Higher education is critical in the development and progress of a country. Most industries get their workforce from college graduates. Through higher education, individuals are prepared on how to handle different management and organizational issues. The higher education provides a platform for learning and understanding of core principles that are a prerequisite in the business and technical world. Different skills can be gained from higher education. The graduates to further their professional development can apply this. Learning needs to be a continuous process if individuals are to stay relevant in the fast changing world of job requirements (Pang, Chua, and Chu, 2008).
Skills Developed
Higher education provides an avenue for multidimensional growth and development in an individual’s life. This is not only academically but also as far as social relations are concerned. With the multiple changes and advancements in the technological and communication world, it has become necessary for students to acquire higher education in order to become relevant and well suited to work in the new business and technological fields. Furthermore, these advancements are being implemented in all fields and professions hence necessitating such learning practices. Higher education creates the margin between professionals and those who just acquire skills via apprenticeship. It is an active sieve, which fine-tunes sharp individuals into adept professions with the skills and discipline to deliver on their work.
The structure of higher education is such that it provides basic knowledge that may be necessary for management purposes or even in case one is considering setting up an entrepreneurship. This means that it allows an individual to develop personal ideas that may be used to set up great business. Innovation is a constant and recurrent theme in all institutions of higher learning. Students are motivated to carry out research work using the facilities of the university. Furthermore, most courses have compulsory final year projects that require students to come up with new ideas and use the knowledge gained, in or out of class, to implement such ideas or to come up with a model.
Institutions of higher learning also have numerous co-curricular activities such as games sports, exchange programs, clubs and societies and many others. These are well established and run by the students themselves. Such kind of governance allows the students to develop in positions of leadership and management. This means that through higher education individuals develop their management skills as they learn of possible challenges and how to handle them. Student unions are another avenue through which such skills are obtained. The institution models a country and hence the students lean of their democratic rights and how to exercise these rights dutifully and peacefully.
Over and above providing an excellent learning environment for the students who are enrolled in a specific institution of higher education, there are also the advantages received by citizens living in the environs of such an institution. This includes the infrastructural facilities and social amenities that come with the setup of an institution of higher learning. Many rural communities have been transformed by the setting up of a university. Local businesses normally pick up due to the availability of ready market, in the form of students. The locals are also encouraged to work harder in achieving their academic goals due to the visible possibility of a continuation in their education. Many young and unemployed locals also get jobs in such institutions in various capacities. Although, most of these jobs are casuals jobs they are still a better option than having no employment.
Higher education is especially suitable in developing an individual’s career since it is tailor made to suit the market. The curriculum is normally in line with the demands in the market. It also encompasses numerous laboratory practical to simulate possible problems and the best and most efficient ways of handling such. This means that the professions form in such courses do not carry out trial-and-error analyses but a much more analytical and comprehensive approach.
Using Skills to begin and Improve Career
Currently, employers put value on non-cognitive skills. Higher education provides the technical and education skills required in different careers. Additionally, in the course of learning and working in groups and teams, a student acquires soft skills, which can be beneficial in the business world (Great Britain, 2007). Additionally, other skills such as time management, creative thinking, and problem solving can be highly beneficial to a new graduate. In a new organization, such skills may help separate a graduate from the rest. Thus, in case a new graduate is assigned to group projects, the transition and adapting to this situation becomes easy. Furthermore, in the global market where job requirements change drastically, an individual may be able to find employment where such skills may be in demand. Having a global perspective is important, as employment in the field of management can be international. According to Kumar (2008), the general skills and personal attributes outweigh the higher education qualifications. Employers will easily use different skill set and attributes in the recruitment of graduates. Thus, with teamwork mentality and ability to use different technology required in the field of management one has an added advantage. Communication skills are important in navigating business transactions and meetings. Furthermore, the ability to use technology to make different presentations can be a significant asset in organizations where research and analysis of different factors in the industry are significant to their growth. The interpretation of different analysis and the effect of global factors on the organization can help an individual to be promoted to oversee and address more responsibilities.
Opportunities higher education provides to citizens
Higher education provides an avenue for many individuals in a country to upgrade their lives. This is through giving them a decent education. Most graduates are equipped with sufficient knowledge and wisdom to make various decisions concerning life. A case in point is the importance of education in fighting diseases such as HIV/AIDs in society. Illiterate citizens tend not to believe the scientific explanation behind the spread of such diseases and hence recline to trusting traditional myths based on curses. However, higher education equips citizen with ethical and moral values to fight off bodily temptations. Research institutions also play a major role in uplifting living standards of the locals. This is through the availing of new and improved cures to otherwise fatal or very troublesome diseases. This kind of research also helps to unveil predisposing factors of various diseases hence giving recommendations to citizens on how to adopt healthy lifestyles. Murray (2009) notes that the individual can get jobs that provide retirement benefits and health insurance coverage. This increases their access to preventative health care hence have the ability to live healthier lives.
Higher education plays a major role in providing a means of transition from one lifestyle to another. More specifically, it enables individuals from poor backgrounds to make something of their lives and hence become indispensible employees in prestigious and well-paying companies. This becomes a ladder through which members allied to such a person can enjoy financial assistance especially as far as fees collection is concerned. Higher education enlightens individuals on their rights. Graduates are well enlightened and can hence criticize improper political decisions made by ruing authorities. This is a good control measure against improper use of public funds and unequal allocation of resources among members residing in various areas in the country. Therefore, higher education is deeply enshrined in the lives of citizens and continues to be a critical tool that shapes their lives.
Gains from the Educational Journey
Education provides a platform for a student to gather and understand new concepts. The internship programs have provided me with opportunities to interact in different business environments and through them, I have learnt on how various theories learned in class can be applied in the real world. Additionally I have had the chance to interact with students from different social and racial backgrounds. Interacting with different cultures has helped to expand my networking base. Through the different people I have been able to appreciate that different approaches can be applied to handle different situations and that we should not limit our abilities to what we only know. I have come to let positive people have an influence in my life through embracing mentoring programs and different role models in both the education system and the business world. This has proved to be helpful in improving my people skills because of gaining understanding of the different cultures. Furthermore, the skills I have gained can help me develop new ideas to provide solutions that can help address management and business problems.
Education is a necessity to everyone. Individuals need not to limit their education to the classroom. Education helps reduce ignorance among individuals and make people to come together in developing solutions to problems that face the world. With education, we have the ability and opportunity to better our lives and the lives of the people around us through initiating change. Individuals can be able to increase their employment opportunities through education. Furthermore, with education people can have the capacity to promote peace and engage in more civil means of dispute resolution. Consequently, with education one is able to make rational decisions and better life choices. This translates to better health. Individual can also expand their social networks, which gives the ability to increase and improve their social outcomes. In addition, individuals are able to make informed decision in voting for their leaders. Education provides them with the ability to discern quality leadership from different people. Educated individuals can easily come together and enhance community cohesion through engaging in different community projects.
Maintaining a Life Long Learning attitude
The key in maintain a lifelong learning attitude is never seizing to learn new information. Research is important in the life of a student. A positive attitude is significant if a person is to understand new concepts and ideas. Furthermore, as an individual, one needs to associate with people who are motivated to learn. Their attitude can be infectious and will motivate and encourage a person not to quit learning. Consequently, one needs to have a personal library of books and information both in hard copy and soft copy for purposes of referencing when certain issues are not clear or easily comprehensible. One needs to look for careers where growth and professional development is encouraged. This helps one continuously improve their skills through learning and attending seminars and workshops. Criticism is also important. Constructive criticism is encouraged as it helps us build our confidence and knowledge. The mentality of learning under supervision needs to be removed if one is to achieve lifelong learning (Sharma, 2002). Having a mature understanding of one’s self is important in the maintenance of a lifelong attitude. According to Ingleby, Joyce and Powell (2011), a person needs to objectively asses himself or herself and have the capacity to respect themselves for who they are while trying to strive to become better. Further, acceptance to change is necessary. Individuals can learn from experiences and are able to make better choices in the future.
Conclusion
Numerous benefits can be attained by higher education. Despite the numerous costs that may be associated with higher education, individuals can strive to apply the knowledge gained after higher education to address world problems. Societal benefits such as good health may increase the productive capacity of an individual and this may increase the productive capacity of a country. Graduates need to acquire soft skills that employers are looking for and should entirely depend on the higher education to guarantee them job opportunities. In a dynamic and changing world, one needs to prepare to adapt to different cultures and different organizations.
References
Great Britain. (2007). The future sustainability of the higher education sector: International aspects. London: The Stationery Office.
Ingleby, E., Joyce, D., & Powell, S. (2010). Learning to teach in the lifelong learning sector. London: Continuum International Pub. Group.
Kumar, A. (2008). Personal, academic and career development: SOARing to success. New York, NY: Routledge.
Murray, J. (2009). The wider social benefits of higher education: What do we know about them? Australian Journal Of Education (ACER Press), 53(3), 230-244.
Pang, M., Chua, B., & Chu, C. L. (2008). Learning to stay ahead in an uncertain environment. International Journal Of Human Resource Management, 19(7), 1383-1394
Sharma, S. (2002). Modern methods of lifelong learning and distance education. New Delhi: Sarup & Sons.
