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Matt Joyner
Dr. Mallory
careers, and it always saddens me to see many students in our high school systems today that
seemingly do not care about their education. Students nowadays are being groomed to become
nonchalant when it comes to their education, as government officials, chief executive officers,
and other people with higher power in this nation present an easier lifestyle to the youth of today.
While some will say that college and higher education is not for everyone, others proclaim that
higher education is necessary in a rapidly changing world. This paper will take into account both
sides of the story, and will present an argument somewhere in the middle of the two extremes, so
that the general audience can make a decision: Is higher education necessary?
On May 2013, First Lady Michelle Obama gave a commencement address to the
Obama stressed the importance and vitality of an education through detailing the history of the
school and the troubles that African-Americans have faced to get an education. Obama
highlighted two specific graduates in her address Ariel Williams-Edwards and Audrey Marie
Lugmayer. These two students were the shining examples of her speech, as they both were
extremely successful in college and managed to obtain that success in spite of diversity and
chaos in their home lives. Obamas purpose was happily received by her audience, and a
persuasive manner to encourage the youth of today to obtain a higher degree is clearly portrayed.
Joyner 2
In her address, Obama provided useful statistics of how educated people live longer, are far less
likely to be unemployed, and make much more money than high school dropouts. These
Julius Gy. Paulovits is the author of the article, A Look at Career Education Is it
Necessary?. This article argues that the youth of today are less content with the success that
comes along with a hard work ethic. Paulovits concludes that young individuals look life in
the face, seek for its meanings and conclude that it has none (345). Sadly, this is the case in
many high school settings today as there is a deficiency of motivation, satisfaction, and personal
success (345). In the midst of negative, connotative notions among adolescents, Paulovits sides
with experts who say that education is still important, and perhaps even more so in todays
society. In his article, Paulovits provides a solution start a career education oriented
curriculum and integrate that into the high school environment. Doing this may solve the high
rate of drop-outs and the inadequate preparation of students for jobs in the real world (346).
A solution contrary to Paulovits is presented by the author of the article Are Too Many
People Going to College?, Charles Murray. It is clear that Murray is strongly opinionated on
todays education system, the curriculum that it is teaching, and the wrong stance of heavily
forcing people to achieve a degree in college. Murray believes that everyones learning style
varies from one person to the next. Therefore, college is not the best option for everyone and if
forced to go to college, one could fail horribly and not become as successful as they would have
been had they not gone to a four-year university. Murray believes that todays colleges and
universities are changing so much that they are becoming a superfluous source of information
The three articles provide three distinct views on education. While Obama and Paulovits
agree that higher education is essential in todays society for a successful life, Murray disagrees.
I am inclined to believe Obama and Paulovits standpoints as they offer a clearer, and more
neutral perspective on the vitality of education. The statistics provided in Obamas speech and
Paulovits examples of the need for jobs concerning advancing technology are both great
supporting details that give credibility to their stances. However, I am also inclined to believe
Murrays viewpoint that everyones individuality, which influences their learning styles. In my
opinion, college should be for everyone, but Murray does not acquiesce. Therefore, a solution
that I find most plausible takes into consideration all three of these articles. Throughout primary
education, students should be taught the essential knowledge that everyone should know. In high
school, a continuation of this should be stressed, but for those who are interested in pursuing jobs
that may not require an associates, bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree, start incorporating
career-oriented classes into the curriculum. I also propose that the curriculum should be rigorous
enough that when the choice is made to attend a four-year college or university, that one can
enter in with a solid enough foundation, and can evade the college culture shock full of
rigorous work.
wholeheartedly agree that higher education is a necessity in todays society. Education is more
important today than it has ever been before. Hopefully through this paper, whether higher
secondary school situation, that one is inclined to believe that it is important and a vital necessity
Works Cited
Murray, Charles. "Are Too Many People Going To College?." They Say, I Say: With Readings.
Obama, Michelle. "Bowie State University Commencement Speech." They Say, I Say: With
Readings. 3rd ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2015. 285-95. Print.
Paulovits, Julius Gy. "A Look at Career Education--is it Necessary?" Education 100.4 (1980):