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The Value of Higher Learning
When I was a teacher in China, I saw firsthand the value of acquiring higher education. I have also witnessed how education has raised the standard of living for millions of people there. There are now over 800 million people in China who have a middle-class income. That is more than double the entire population of America, and the standard of living there will continue to rise due to the growing educational opportunities.
Unfortunately, the middle class in America is shrinking due
to a widening gap between those who have much and those who have little
in terms of a good quality of life.
A half-century ago, the average high school graduate in
America could find a job and achieve a middle-class income. A person
seeking employment today with just a high school diploma will most
likely earn less than the average college graduate. Good employment
opportunities will be harder to find for those lacking a degree,
especially in today’s world.
The unemployment rate in America has decreased over the past
few years; however, many individuals continue to struggle to find
decent-paying jobs. I told my students that a College degree shows
potential employers that they possess critical thinking skills and that
they value their education.
Many in America and China question whether the high cost
involved in earning a degree is worth the time and effort. Those same
people will argue that many job seekers with degrees can’t find work in
their field. However, people who enter the job market, passing up the
opportunity to attend college, are most likely shortchanging their
future for the present. Some choose to return to school in later years
but find that it is harder to earn a degree with the added
responsibilities that come with raising a family.
There is a growing number of adults returning to school,
though, to enhance their skills and improve their careers by acquiring
trade skills. They understand that it is their only option for better
employment. Within the past thirty years or so, education not only
raised the standard of living in China but also had a profound impact on
China’s growing economy.
When I was living in China, the economy there was on fast
forward, growing exponentially with no sign of slowing down; it had the
largest domestic economy in the world. It contributed to the higher
standard of living, thanks to higher wages spurred by the rising job
market. That, of course, changed during the COVID outbreak, and I also
experienced that firsthand while living there.
The economy there is slowly rebounding, but the tariffs now
being imposed on China by the US are not helping its economy;
nonetheless, it remains an economic powerhouse.
More students in China are also traveling abroad to continue
their education, not because education is so much better outside of
China, but rather, they understand the value of experiencing other
cultures. Some of my former students who were in my cultural diversity
class have commented that learning new languages is not enough to
succeed in our global economy. You must also understand the cultures of
the countries with which you want to do business, especially within
international commerce. To be successful in business, you must
understand the cultural preferences of the corporate buyers in the
global market. That is just one of the reasons why China is so open to
the cultural exchange programs of various nations.
Throughout history, numerous conflicts between nations have
arisen due to a lack of cultural understanding. An Educated society,
though, can help its citizenry overcome negative preconceived notions
and negative stereotypes that have led to national conflicts in the
past.
Many cultural exchange students who traveled abroad
experienced firsthand how their negative perceptions of foreigners
changed to positive experiences. This occurred when foreign students
interacted with one another while studying abroad.
American and foreign Universities sponsor many cultural
exchange programs. They are helping students from all over the world
gain a greater understanding of the diverse cultures that comprise our
human race. When we gain a deeper understanding of other cultures, we in
turn gain a deeper understanding of our own culture. That knowledge is
truly valuable because, when correctly applied, it can forge alliances
through music, cultural artifacts, and classical literature, not just
from the West, but throughout the world, which can build a deeper
understanding of the cultural norms and customs of people worldwide.
The appreciation of a country’s art, cuisine, literature, and
music is also an integral part of the cultural experience. China is
influenced by western music, western artifacts, classical literature
from the west, and American food. American movies are also hugely
popular, and they have had a profound impact on China’s perception of
America. When the Chinese come to the U.S., the first thing they notice
is that America is not like what they see in the movies.
In America and China, College students are gaining a more
precise understanding that by placing themselves in the service of
others, they gain a stronger sense of their self-worth. Volunteerism
lends itself to boundless opportunities. Utilizing the students’ skills,
knowledge, and education not only enhances the community but also opens
countless doors towards enhancing the students’ well-being. Upon
graduation, it shows potential employers that they take civic
responsibility and pride in their community.
In America, just as in China, many university-educated
individuals may not secure high-paying jobs immediately after
graduation. They may, in fact, find low-wage employment that helps the
less fortunate improve their lives, and I have found that many employees
are turning to non-governmental service jobs. They are now gaining a
sense of civic responsibility and work experience that is vital for
landing future jobs with higher pay.
Statistics indicate that educated individuals are more likely
to vote and participate in the political process. As mentioned, College
graduates fresh out of school are much more likely to work for
community agencies helping the less fortunate improve their lives.
A college education can also lead to a life of continued
learning and an appreciation for the opportunities that come with it.
Many adults return to school not just for higher degrees but to take
courses for self-enrichment to learn new skills or pursue hobbies and
interests. Self-enrichment cannot be financially quantified, though,
especially when that education is achieved throughout one’s lifetime.
A child’s education is vital to America’s future and our
national wellbeing. Adults must do everything possible to encourage the
youth of America to continue their learning and put their education to
good use.
When I was a teacher and my students got accepted to foreign
Universities, they felt as if they had achieved something of
extraordinary value. In reality, they have, because a great education
cannot be measured monetarily; it can only be freely shared through
one’s character of achievement.
I told my students that the true worth of a person is not
measured by their salary or the cost of earning their degrees. What a
student learns in the classroom will not ultimately define who they are
as human beings either - but how well they live in communion with others
will in the end define their true character. In other words, a person’s
true worth can be measured by how well they spend their lives in the
service of others. I have discovered over the years that what we give to
our community, we, in turn, give to ourselves. When we enhance the
lives of those in need, we, in turn, enhance our own lives - because
what we give to others comes back to us in greater fold.
Fools will continue to strive for the material possessions
they do not have but wish to gain. The wise, on the other hand, will
develop what they already possess within themselves.
Higher learning is the means of developing the skills,
knowledge, and understanding that are truly needed in developing one’s
true potential and in gaining a fulfilling career.
Always with love,
Thomas F O'Neill
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