“Liberal arts: would you like fries with that diploma?” this quote thought up by the unknown defines the mindset of high school students considering a liberal arts college. Many will tell a person that liberal arts is not for those who want a “real” career, liberal arts is for people who are not ready to grow up. I was told by teachers in my high school that I should think more of myself when I voiced that I was considering attending Central for the next four years. I believe Cronon explains the lack of enthusiasm best when he refers to liberal education as a “marketing ploy.”(p.4) I was confused because when I first began my college search I looked up what liberal arts was and was pleased to discover it was an, “education intended to bring about the improvement, discipline, or free development of the mind or spirit.”(Webster Dictionary) To me this sounded like a good thing, I am just unsure as to why liberal education seemed so foul to others. Liberal education is important because it does more than shove a set in stone four year plan in your face.
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It allows for a student to explore fields outside of their major, which can lead a student to discover a talent or passion they have for something else, leading to a better sense of happiness in their future. I am a first generation college student who did not have a lot of support in getting to college. When Central discovered me and I looked into what was offered here and I knew this is where I wanted to be. What I wanted, the experiences I could only dream of, and the freedom to express myself are all things that directed me towards Central and a liberal arts college. My dream to succeed through education began in third grade. “The most affirming thing anyone can do for you is demand that you push yourself further, show you the range of what you can do.” (Rich 15)This exactly what Mrs. Sapp did for me. I was not a student who was interested in learning. Third grade, I began taking after my brother who thought it was cool to not try. I was on the path to becoming another statistic, of the work ethic of low-income children. Sapp noticed this lack in participation in me and pushed me to put forth the effort. I was mean and closed off, completely unwilling to improve the skills I had or discover new ones, and she pushed me to drop the act of ignorance and in comparison display the qualities Cronon considers liberally educated people to display. Everything I have accomplished in school, I owe to Mrs. Sapp for pushing me in the right direction. In fifth grade adults begin to ask the famous question, “what do you want to do when you grow up?” My answer to this question varied significantly from fifth grade to senior year. …show more content…
It started innocent enough. I was positive I wanted to be a veterinarian and I was positive I would be the person who would discover how to make animals live a human life-span. As the year progressed and we began dissections and I quickly discovered I was not interested in anything that had to do with sick animals at the thought of them dying under my care steered me away. My love of dissection led me to the greatest extreme my dream job then becoming coroner. As I experienced more things my opinions changed. “Education is a...way of educating ourselves without any illusion that our education will ever be complete.”(Cronon 10) Junior high sent my dream of becoming a coroner far away. As I progressed in my schooling I was receiving pieces of liberal education with my freedom to explore and discover new things. As I think back on my dream jobs as a child I also wonder what made me change my mind. Was it something someone said? Did I change my mind because of something I experienced? Or was it just the next big thing? I do however remember why I decided I did not want to become a coroner. It relates to the sexism and gender roles that Rich touches on in her essay. When sharing with the class my career aspirations before career day in seventh grade, It was decided by the class that the type of job I was aiming for was to dirty for girls.
It allows for a student to explore fields outside of their major, which can lead a student to discover a talent or passion they have for something else, leading to a better sense of happiness in their future. I am a first generation college student who did not have a lot of support in getting to college. When Central discovered me and I looked into what was offered here and I knew this is where I wanted to be. What I wanted, the experiences I could only dream of, and the freedom to express myself are all things that directed me towards Central and a liberal arts college. My dream to succeed through education began in third grade. “The most affirming thing anyone can do for you is demand that you push yourself further, show you the range of what you can do.” (Rich 15)This exactly what Mrs. Sapp did for me. I was not a student who was interested in learning. Third grade, I began taking after my brother who thought it was cool to not try. I was on the path to becoming another statistic, of the work ethic of low-income children. Sapp noticed this lack in participation in me and pushed me to put forth the effort. I was mean and closed off, completely unwilling to improve the skills I had or discover new ones, and she pushed me to drop the act of ignorance and in comparison display the qualities Cronon considers liberally educated people to display. Everything I have accomplished in school, I owe to Mrs. Sapp for pushing me in the right direction. In fifth grade adults begin to ask the famous question, “what do you want to do when you grow up?” My answer to this question varied significantly from fifth grade to senior year. …show more content…
It started innocent enough. I was positive I wanted to be a veterinarian and I was positive I would be the person who would discover how to make animals live a human life-span. As the year progressed and we began dissections and I quickly discovered I was not interested in anything that had to do with sick animals at the thought of them dying under my care steered me away. My love of dissection led me to the greatest extreme my dream job then becoming coroner. As I experienced more things my opinions changed. “Education is a...way of educating ourselves without any illusion that our education will ever be complete.”(Cronon 10) Junior high sent my dream of becoming a coroner far away. As I progressed in my schooling I was receiving pieces of liberal education with my freedom to explore and discover new things. As I think back on my dream jobs as a child I also wonder what made me change my mind. Was it something someone said? Did I change my mind because of something I experienced? Or was it just the next big thing? I do however remember why I decided I did not want to become a coroner. It relates to the sexism and gender roles that Rich touches on in her essay. When sharing with the class my career aspirations before career day in seventh grade, It was decided by the class that the type of job I was aiming for was to dirty for girls.