It has always seemed strange to me that in our endless discussions about education so little stress is laid on the pleasure of becoming an educated person, the enormous interest it adds to life. To be able to be caught up into the world of thought — that is to be educated. Edith Hamilton
I was very pleased with Obama’s speech last night and the emphasis on personal responsibility and education. He asked all Americans to commit to higher learning and encouraged all Americans to pursue at least a high school diploma. What concerns me is the means to pay for higher education. Until we come up with a viable plan, higher education is out of reach for most Americans. And I just saw on this morning’s newscast that a Bachelor’s Degree doesn’t necessarily get you a higher paying job anymore. In our current economy there are many highly educated people that are working minimum wage jobs. Because going back to college was a personal goal of mine I will continue with my plan and hope for a future where education will be valued and funded.
Today, spend 30 minutes writing about a job you had or still have that taught you the most. What characters can you sketch from a good or bad job experience? How has working in a career other than writing shaped your writing life? If you haven’t read Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickle and Dimed put it on your reading list. Eye-opening book about working in minimum wage jobs. Now get back to work!
Lovingly continuing on with my education,
Writing Nag