Education Right Or Wrong
My son and his friend were having a heated discussion in the game room. I knew it was important when I no longer heard the sounds of guitar hero filtering throughout the house. They were hashing out the importance of education. Not about their current Jr. High School education mind you, but rather, college.
One felt that college was important. To go, get good grades, get a good job. The other felt that one could make a good living with just a high school education. As he put it “Why do I want to take classes in school in something I don’t like? I have to do that already!” They came into the other room to confer with my husband and me, asking about our own personal backgrounds.
My husband has a college degree in engineering. He spent five long years getting that done. I, on the other hand, went to college for a semester and a half. My mind set was similar to the statement above. Why should I have to take all this math and science when my interest is in English and the arts? It was not for me, I ended up going a non traditional route: Massage Therapy School. With a focus on just my interest at that time, I was happy, and for many years, I had a good career working with healing people.
They asked if I returned to school to learn art after I was no longer able to physically work as a massage therapist. Their eyes glistened, eager for the answer. I told them no. That did not mean, however, that I did not educate myself. I took online classes to better learn the difficult intricacies of my chosen computer medium. I studied fractals and fractal art. The formulas. Other artists. But I did not pay a ton of money to go to college to get a fancy art degree.
How do you do it? One asked. How do you sell your art or do a show if you don’t have the degree? Well, I told them, I have passion instead. Integrity. Honesty. And a product I believe in with all of my heart. I have a good working relationship with my clients. I try to have good relationships with people in general. I have a love for humanity, and I like to think it shows. I am constantly learning. Constantly working to improve my craft. I still educate myself. Always.
I went on to explain that there is still something to be said for all the hard work it takes to go to college. There is a lot of respect behind that. But college is not for everyone, and if you have drive, you can be just as successful with it or without it. The trick is following your heart, giving it your all, and never giving up. Now, if you want to be a doctor, I would highly suggest medical school! There are some things you just can’t do without that formal educational training. But there are a lot of options out there.
I watched them wonder out into the yard to toss around the baseball. I could hear their voices through the open window. They had switched perspectives, and were now playing devils advocate opposite of what they had earlier thought they stood for. I just had to smile. They have a few years left to sort it all out. Heck, I know I am still ever changing and learning and growing myself.
I am happy with the choices I have made. The world still sometimes views that degree as the end all. I see artists who pad it in their resume. Right before they list all their gallery exhibits. It makes it look like you have to get the degree to get the show. Sure, it helps as it does in many walks of life, but if your work speaks for itself, in the end, it really does not matter. Just go out and live your life the way that you are meant to. Go to college if it speaks to you. Or go out and make your own way if it does not. There is no right or wrong. But either way, you just have to DO something, go out and make it happen!
Go out and make it a fractalicious day!
Kimberly Rae Hansen
