Is Education the Path to Success?

It is the season for getting offers, I thought when I saw my friend posting the offer of Harvard Medical School on Instagram story. I can still remember the time I was waiting for getting admitted to universities. It was nervous, very nervous but excited. Most of my peers around me are pursuing diligently to get higher education in a better school, and so am I.

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A quote from WBZ says that “It doesn’t matter who you are or what situation you’re born into. You can make it. And school is where that happens. School is what makes the American Dream possible”. It inspires me to think about a question: Is education the path to success?

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So far, I would probably agree with this idea. Education may not be the only way to success, but it must be an essential factor to success. Education definitely improves and enriches me a lot in countless aspects, it also keeps shaping and sharpening my values as I gradually enhance my cognitive. In my opinion, the most important and visible benefits provided by education are the resources, opportunities and connections.

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Education provides us with resources and opportunities

Many of my friends will graduate this summer, and as international students, they all are struggling about finding an internship and getting admitted to graduate school to stay in the U.S., where they think has more opportunities and possibilities. I did not realize until yesterday that ordinary people in China and other developing countries with no outstanding academic achievement or incredible talent, ability and creativity will never have a chance to get a job in the U.S. legally. I was shocked because education is the only way for ordinary people to get into an entirely new environment.

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I believe that the world is not absolutely fair, some people have spent their entire lives to achieve a goal that may only be another person’s starting point. Even though differences do exist, education is indeed a wonderful opportunity to bridge that gap.

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As an undergraduate student, I would say the experience in the university does benefit me a lot in various aspects. The resources and opportunities from the university exposed me to many new and advanced fields. Every week I received plenty of emails from the school announcing the upcoming events, seminars and also job opportunities, it was a cherished opportunity that someone was willing to voluntarily share opportunities and resources with us. We also enjoy excellent research resources and well-equipped infrastructure at the school.

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Exposes to the new field and open horizon

I think education has certainly enabled me to broaden my horizons and gain a deeper understanding of what I am passionate about and how I can do it. Education has allowed my interest to be more than just a feeling in my mind and has systematically taught me how to turn it into tools and approaches that I can use to make a living and succeed.

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Makes connections

A few days ago, I was browsing the portfolio website of my professor for the next semester. His CV is over 70 pages long and lists countless research was done over the years, fascinating work experiences, and admirable awards. It reminded me of the professor who taught the major class in the first semester of my freshman year. Every interaction during his office hour was an enlightening experience for me as I was confused about my future plans after transitioning to an unfamiliar environment. While there are many great people outside of school, I think education is a very direct way to connect us, students who are exploring, with the top people in our profession. Every student, teaching assistant, professor, and advisor in every class is someone we can network with and learn from.

 

A ticket to success?

Of course, attending university is not the only path to success. Many highly successful people have achieved success without a formal education. However, education can be seen as a ticket to success because it can provide individuals with the knowledge, skills, and credentials they need to pursue their goals and achieve success in their chosen fields. Education can also expose individuals to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives, which can broaden their horizons and make them more well-rounded individuals. It also provides individuals with access to career opportunities and higher-paying jobs.

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Ultimately, education can be a powerful tool for personal and professional development, providing individuals with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.