Christopher Phillips

Brandman University

LBSU 487

May 1, 2020

Critical Reflection

Thousands of people across our country say that high school prepares you for the workforce,

which is true to a certain extent. However, a college education is like no other. It is the core to our

future. There are, of course, many people who do not need this education to have successful and

knowledgeable lives. The amount of information and skills that acquired through others is priceless.

Having a college education gives the chance to open your mind and see how the world around us

functions. Complex matters such as; economics, biology, engineering, mathematics, etc. are essential to

society and need to be further studied. These are just a small percentage of study fields that people

learn. There is no limit to the knowledge that surrounds a college campus. The bright minds gathering

together on a daily basis to tackle and improve worldwide issues are in the millions. Throughout my

college years I have not only met some intelligent individuals, I have also learned how to implement

what I learn into the real world. If I didn’t have a college education, I would see the world in different

colors until this day.

The past four years of my life I have dedicated not just to school but also educating our at-risk

youth. I am a Classroom Assistant at a juvenile hall in San Diego. Personally, I do not think I would be fit

for this job if I did not have a college education. College groomed me to be a well-rounded individual. Of

course I have my specialty but in my work force I need to know a little bit of everything. I recently took a

Transition to Applied Studies course that provided me with so many tools that I know I will use in my

classrooms in the near future. I learned in depth that teenagers learn in many different ways. A
particular project that I completed during this class helped me implement knowledge into my work

setting. The name of the project is “Communication in the Workforce.” The particular concepts I focused

on were the Communication Theory and Creativity in Groups. Comprehending them made me realize

that it is beneficial to have communication, happiness and a healthy state of mind at work. It is best for

any company or enterprise to ensure this so that they can get the best out of workers. It would be up to

me to establish particular methods to ensure they get the best education.

I have also took a Liberal Arts Core Foundations class in my collegiate career. This class taught

me many important tools for my future professional endeavors. However, there was a specific

assignment that forced me to think outside the box. The titled assignment was called, “History and Me.”

I came to the realization that particular historical events can shape one’s life. Sort of like a chain

reaction. These types of classes are one of a kind because they are just so much different than others.

There was never a right or wrong answer, which is what made this particular class interesting. It was all

up to you to see how you perceive the world. This class taught me to understand my students from all

different sorts of demographics. Made me realize that many have different economic statuses which

impacts their learning. If they only have their single mother providing for them, they will not have as

much academic attention at home to strive like others. Unfortunately, it is just the truth of the matter.

That is just one life aspect that this sociology class has taught me.

My work schedule only impacts roughly six hours out of my weekdays. So how has a college

education helped me with the 18 hours that maintain? Well, for me, I do take my job very serious and I

also realize that there is so much more that this world offers than just work. Being a well-rounded

educated adult is something I take pride in. Having the knowledge to be able to have insight in many

conversations that I partake in is something I do not take for granted. Having a college background

definitely helped me become this person.

 In a perfect world, everyone would have some sort of college education. I realize that school is

not for everyone but it is important to absorb professional knowledge somehow some way. Many of

your youth rely on social media and the internet where they can find themselves acquiring false

information. This curve of exponential growth must come to a halt. We should teach our youth that the

truth and important conversations can come about in college. We should teach them that college is not

only for partying. There can be crucial knowledge to gain. It is always good to understand where it is you

learned certain things about life. Whether it is of value or not. And writing about it now reiterates how

important it is to apply my collegiate knowledge to my everyday life.