I think that International consultant Skip Downing reinforces the significance, and importance, and of why attending college can be fruitful. He emphasizes the critical nature of connecting one’s goals to academic success. In other words, I have learned that college attendance operates as a vital key. I feel it can unlock the tools a person needs to be successful in a chosen career. I understand that there are many good reasons to finish a university program. But the best reason is because it will help students to create the best life, in terms of being successful in pursuits. My parents encouraged me to finish college, but I had to learn about the benefits for myself. I would much prefer to play video games every day. But, I do not wish to be among the students who are unsuccessful in college because doing so would be a waste of time. My purpose is to re-focus on how getting a good college education can support my career goals. While it is true that some students are unsuccessful in college because they mistakenly believe that academics will not be of any valuable help. For example, I want to accomplish a career as a motivational speaker in my life. Doing well as a motivational speaker, on a professional level, I realize will take time and adequate preparation. At first, my thinking fostered the idea that all I needed was desire and good, basic speaking abilities. But, I now believe successfully attending a good college program will enhance my success in important ways. Therefore, I will discuss that in order to accomplish the status of a successful, professional-level motivational speaker in life I will need to perform well academically and use the right college program as a tool to help me reach my goal.
I like people and feel that I have a positive outlook in life. But I did not always think college was important to obtain success in life. However, I immensely enjoy interactions with people, so I decided last year my life’s goal should prepare me for a career in motivational speaking. The idea of helping other people obtain positive outcomes seems very exciting to me. In my research I discovered that Jane Davis conducted a study in which participants were asked about the value of undertaking a doctoral study program. Davis said “two participants felt that their enrolment on a doctoral programme would provide value” to their department (22). If a college education is that important to them, I think successfully finishing a college degree should be important to me. In terms of a specific career, I think motivational coaching is something I would enjoy which is why I have chosen this path for my life. I think it is important to choose something I like, and then pick the best college program to support it. Another reason I wish to pursue this type of professional career is because of many painful obstacles in my life. My parents worked very hard and they did not have anyone to help them. I saw my mom come home feeling extremely tired in the afternoon, even though she was well-educated and worked as a school counselor. I will always feel proud of her because she gave 100 percent to help all her students, and do the best for my sister and me.
After I had decided in my mind and heart that pursuit of a motivational coach was the right choice for me in life, I had another problem. I promoted the idea over and over in my mind, but I did not understand which college program, degree, or major would best fit my goal. I planned to think about it more, and searched online to try and figure out the best academic pathway which might support my educational venture. For a while, the concept escaped me concerning how to coordinate the most beneficial college program for my sought-after motivational career. Then when the idea actually appeared, it motivated my soul and put a big smile in my heart. I decided to seek the top motivational speakers, coaches, and successful business people and find out a few things about them: (1) Where they went to school, (2) What they studied, and (3) What they were passionate about, in terms of how their college program connected to what they chose to do in life.
I discovered some facts about Skip Downing. One thing I noticed about him straightaway is the huge relaxed countenance of his face. Many successful business people, although they were smart and attended college, did not look so happy. I found out that Downing had attended some of the best universities in the United States. This fact really got me stirred up and motivated inside. It’s difficult to explain, but seeing him fulfill his dreams encouraged me. I felt if he could establish a very compelling career and be happy at the same time, then I could study how his college experience helped him to get there. Starting to feel much better, I explored a little bit about Downing’s background and biography, and which colleges he had attended. In his book, ‘On Course, Study Skills Plus Edition, Downing discussed different student cases wherein they felt a need for encouragement and direction. Downing talked about the ‘power of choice,’ and stated “As a college instructor, I have seen thousands of students arrive on campus with dreams, then struggle, fail, and fade away” (3). This reality slightly scares me, but through my nervousness I feel like taking the time to investigate the right college course will pay off.
One thing Downing said forced me to take a close look at my choices, and behaviors. Did I really want to go to college? Did I really desire success as a motivational speaker, positive coach, or writer? I knew my plans would require action on my part, and I knew I had to get serious about my attendance at college. Downing made me feel I could achieve my dreams and somewhat lofty goals. He spoke about choices, and I believed this should be the first step. As I began to endeavor more deeply into the research, in terms of which college I should attend, a million things ran through my head. I finally decided. I may not be able to attend a fancy college like Johns Hopkins, or Stanford University, but there were hundreds of wonderful universities to choose from. There were small ones, big ones, State schools, and private universities. I knew I was on the right track because I started keeping a log.
In it I wrote down several college majors that I held a true interest in, like English, Psychology, Art, and French. I really love French. I learned that even if I majored in ‘Art’ there would be many other courses that would support my preparation for a positive-life coach and motivational speaker. A major in ‘Communications’ would also be a good choice. Most people do not think about a double-major, and I found out this gave me some great alternatives to customize how doing the right college program would support my goals. In conclusion, I had to admit that nothing worth having comes easy, right? Each person, including myself, has to be committed and serious in choosing the best college program for his or her goals in life. I also learned that college helps to train a person in discipline, understanding how to communicate better verbally, and on paper. In a huge way, the answer to fulfilling my goals meant I should master college studies to be the best motivational coach I can be.
Works Cited
Downing, Skip. On Course, Study Skills plus Edition. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning,
2011. Print.
Davis, Jane. "Exploring the Value of Doctoral Study in College-Based Higher Education: A
Practitioner Perspective." Journal Of Perspectives In Applied Academic Practice 2.1
(2014): 21-24. Education Source. Web. 31 Oct. 2014.
