Do you think you’re learning enough? Getting a good education equips one to survive in a competitive world where the ignorant are either pushed into the sidelines or gobbled up by the powerful.
Though it is true that not all learning comes from formal schooling, it is still one sure way of making prospective employers aware of a person’s skill. And in today’s competitive society, one needs all the advantages one can get in order to survive, if not to succeed.
A Fighting ChanceWith many young professionals out there flaunting a Bachelor’s Degree yet remaining unemployed, it is imperative to gain certain skills that would improve one’s chances for a better future.
Human resources development consultant Anna Barcelon emphasizes that although formal education is necessary, there are other aspects to learning that must be addressed. “Learning is not just mastering information or a body of knowledge. Students should also plant seeds of honesty, integrity, self-discipline, perseverance, respect for others and responsibility to be ale to face challenges more confidently and effectively.”
Barcelon points out that since these fundamental traits are not gleaned from school, it is the duty of parents to indoctrinate their children with the proper values.
“The challenge now is to provide students with all the support they need in developing their self-esteem, critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills in the process of learning, and coming up with positive approaches for setting and achieving goals,” she says.
Engaging in extra-curricular activities will help the students tap other learning areas like the development of social, interpersonal, leadership, leadership and creative skills. And since the youth face a lot of uncertainties in today’s complex world, adaptability skills should also be acquired. “This means teaching them to appreciate change, welcome it and thrive on it,” Bacelon asserts.
Right Career PathOf Course, gaining an edge also means being aware of the career paths that are most needed. Pursuing a field that isn’t too overloaded is a wise move for someone who doesn’t want to end up unemployed.
According to Barcelon, who has handled executive search engagements, most of the requirements are for Marketing and Sales due to the pirating of people, aggressive competition and new market trends; and some for Costumer Service and Finance like Accounting.
She says there is also a growing demand for more technical and managerial skills. There is an emergence of new jobs on computer and telecommunications. “To get hold of these jobs and survive in today’s fast-paced age of information, it is imperative to gain knowledge on new technological breakthroughs.”
Education For AllThere are scholarships and programs aplenty for any student who isn’t daunted by financial setbacks from getting quality education.
The most readily available option is, of course, the public school system where, for a very minimal fee, students can enroll and are provided textbooks. Some NGOs and corporations provide educational assistance as well.
Even private schools offer scholarship grants and financial assistance for low-income students. Government agencies DepEd, CHED and TESDA also provide special educational services for students who are unable to complete formal schooling.
However, Barcelon claims that based on studies, “the high-tech industry can’t wait for potential candidates to complete a four-year degree because of the tight labor market with only a shallow pool of available talents.”
In the future, therefore, the focus will be on attaining more specific knowledge sets rather than on getting a bachelor’s degree.
This only goes to show that there’s more to learning than mere academics. Although one can go wrong with formal schooling, it is shown that education starts at home, in family, with parents as the first teachers. And it also won’t hurt to be aware of the wider picture beyond the classroom in order for education to lead to a good future, a good life.
