by Zack Shen
Greg Shannon, Max and Marina’s father, regards that Max’s choice as a wise one. “I do believe that a college education is not essential for one’s success.” said Mr. Shannon, “there are many ways to get an education. College is one of those many ways. There are other ways to get an education through community college, reading, go to seminars, and obviously on the job experience; I don’t think you have to go to college to get an education.” Mr. Shannon demonstrates that going through a college education is not the only way to receive an education. A college education is a very expensive way to learn while there are alternative ways to acquire knowledge. “I am more of a hands-on kind of a person; I don’t sit in class very well. I think you can do just fine out in the real world without going to college,” said Max Shannon.
Is a college education essential for one's success?
Both Greg and Max have their points. They are not the only ones who think that way. Stephan Dale, a 19-year-old entrepreneur who dropped off a college education, leads a social movement of Uncollege. Dale is a very successful young man who established RadMatter, a platform for young people to demonstrate their talents. This platform brought him $100,000 fellowship from venture capitalist and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel. He thinks that a college education is a waste of time since an individual like himself can achieve success by learning outside of a college classroom. “We must encourage young people to consider paths outside the college,” said Dale: “We who take our education outside and beyond the classroom understand how actions build a better world” (Stephens).
I believe that whether going for a college degree or not is a personal choice. On this land of America, we pursue American Dream, which allows us all to be successful through hard working, determination, and initiative. How we want to achieve our goal doesn’t really matter. Steph Jobs did not finish his college education while he founded a multibillion company and changed the world. As Dale mentioned, “Some might argue that college dropouts will sit in their parents' basements playing Halo 2, doing Jell-O shots and smoking pot. These are valid but irrelevant concerns, for the people who indulge in drugs and alcohol do so before, during and after college" (Stephens). There are college students who failed to work hard during their college career and ended up bad. They might blame student loans or debt for ruining them, but in fact what makes them what they are is themselves.
