The Purpose of Higher Education (Essay Sample)

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The Purpose of Higher Education
One of the many reasons for going to college is to live a fulfilling life. Although such is possible without the higher education, some scholars believe that university coaching makes it easy succeeding economically, socially and mentally with college education. This is the reason why Zernike (2) insists that having college education gives one a higher social status in America. Washburn (1) also believes the same when he says that education assists in being wealthy in the information era. Though success in career and life is not assured because several factors influence it, supporters of higher learning believe college education make one bright and innovative. On the other hand, some believe that college education is not necessary as smartness depends on individual actions. They equally argue that university schooling should not determine the pursuit of the American dream. Hence the question, "what are you going to do with your degree?" (Zernike 1). Despite the confusion, the paper insists that higher learning is important in the transformation of the society hence the reason for its support as discussed.
One of the reasons why schooling in college is important is that the process gives individual attributes that make it easy accomplishing personal goals such as the achieving the American dream. Secondly, schooling at the universities gives one with social skills that are critical for dealing with life's challenge such as the ability to solve political disagreement. According to Washburn (3), there are certain skills that an individual ought to possess on completing university education. Among them is the ability to translate theory into practical idea, being creative, and wise. In the article, the Corporate Corruption of Higher Education, Washburn (4) implies that the skills are necessary for dealing with technical problems caused by the increase in human population globally. For that reason, people should go to college even if there are cases of uneducated individual succeeding in life.
Before people came up with formal education, communities coexisted harmoniously. However, people had difficulties sharing new ideas that could encourage the rest to be creative to improve their societies. With the introduction of formal higher education, things began changing since scholars began trying ideas that were uncommon. A case in point is Stanford University joining with the Silicon Valley to encourage entrepreneurship. The union was also purposeful in allowing students to use their potential in diverse spheres (Auletta 3). In turn, America benefitted greatly: hence, the reason, one can state that education is purposeful. Auletta (2) thinks that people are the ones making it unimportant. Nevertheless, it is also good noting that education can help improve other skills of an individual, as the case of Stanford nurturing poets among engineering institutions. As stated by Auletta, "Stanford campus has its jocks, stoners, and poets, but what it is famous for are budding entrepreneurs, engineers" (1). Washburn (2) in his works argues that growth of democracy is much easier in a region where a many people have attained college education. Unlike many of uneducated, college graduates make good debaters. They analyze issues from a general perspective. They also listen to different views when making a decision on important issues. However, it should not be assumed that attending college makes one more competent that the other.
Another purpose of education that makes college attendance important is that the process makes one reflective. According to Lukianoff, & Haidt (8), a graduate will likely consult others in making a judgment about his behavior. Such is not likely for a person of minimal education and interactions. The scholars add that college education exposes people to the trends in various sections of the globe. Through exchange programs, students learn about different cultures leading to the understanding of the activities that shape developments in the society. In making education ‘relevant', Zernike (1) points out that the reason college education is proving unsuccessful at present is due to ignorance and neglect by the respective authorities having the duty of monitoring the quality of education in learning institutions.
The economic benefits that result from the increase in the quality higher education are in many ways important in the progress of the society. For instance, the support of higher education assist in the development of technological infrastructure in region neighboring learning institutions as the case in Sanford (Auletta 5). College education also inspires students to seek great employment opportunities, which lead to being wealthy. As highlighted by Lukianoff & Haidt (2), the expectation is that an educated person ought to behave differently from a person who has not schooled in college; thus, surviving easily during tough times. For example, continuing the chase after the America Dream. The subsequent expectation that defends the need for college education is that higher schooling strengthens the brain of an individual; thus being in a position to disagree with others kindly. As noted, the experiments conducted in colleges as Stanford encourages students to imagine solution to various life difficulties.
Due to the decline in standards of educations in America, some people are beginning to think of it as useless. They argue that educated people are corrupt as engage in many unethical practices in the corporate sector. For that reason, America should restructure the system or accept that college education is irrelevant. Indeed, as things stand, the process is not making people successful. Instead, education is slowing progress in some areas. A case in point is the financial sector, in which the journey to university is increasing corruption (Washburn, 8). Additionally, the restrictiveness of the process is making it difficult for individual to achieve some of their goals, which include being open-minded.
Apart from the benefits, higher education learning has its disadvantage. One of them is the restriction of the freedoms of the students to experiment with ideas. For instance, science courses demand that students follow specific guidelines in research, yet there are occasions in which such strategies restrict creativity. Subsequently, placing much emphasis on the need for students to score highly in exams encourage corruption in schools. The practice also lowers the standards of education. Lukianoff & Haidt (7), cites "mental filtering" of what student ought to stay as a negative impact of education. In quoting that "talking openly about conflicting value is what a diverse but tolerant community must do”, the scholars imply that education should give confidence and not create fear in expression.
America needs to re-educate its populace to change their perception of what is good education to make higher learning purposeful once more. This is because many people think of the process as the route to economic freedom whereas in real sense education has to empower minds. Its goal has to be the transformation of the socie