By Ibrahim Abdul-Hakeem
Projects
I am a USAF veteran, husband, and father. I am currently pursuing a degree in Psychology with the goal of obtaining my PhD and becoming a clinical psychologist. I am particularly interested in working with individuals in early adulthood. Ultimately, I aim to open my own clinic as well as a non-profit organization.
I initiated my exploration focusing on why tertiary education often stands as the yardstick for 'achievement'. In this profound inquiry, I observed that, currently, it's largely about securing employment, unlike in yesteryears when the pursuit of knowledge was the key motive for education. The purpose of colleges/universities has significantly evolved from time past, and presently, they’re perceived as a vestibule to a preferred profession. Nevertheless, our current society considers more than just academic qualifications in the job market. Work experience is increasingly valued. Having communicated with a couple of alumni regarding education and practical experience, my comprehension of the subject has deepened. This conversation furnished me with enriching insights to fully understand the topic. The evidence I perused not only supported my initial query but also uncovered specific facets I hadn't considered before. These fresh perspectives deepened my understanding of the reasons for and against the importance of higher education in all learning aspects. Despite this, I maintain that work experience is paramount in ‘baseline professions’, acknowledging there are specialist careers like nursing, teaching etc., that will invariably mandate higher degrees and education. How enduring these changing necessities will be remains uncertain, although for the moment, tertiary education still holds sway over work experience in the job market.