I firmly believe when you are in the business of education, you have to let the students know the why behind the class or the diploma. Why do they care? Why are they here? Every end of semester I send my students a note of congratulation and affirmation. This is my note this semester:
Class,
As finals approach, I have one final, long set of words to give you. Stick with me. My little note to you.
As an instructor and student of communication, I clearly believe in the discipline. I believe it is a skill that not only has advanced my career, but will help you in yours. Look at any job description out there, 90% have a requirement of good communication skills. Hopefully that term is less abstract after this course.
As much as I believe in communication as being a necessity, I am also a higher ed professional and I understand the groan and mindset that it is just another three credit hour course you have to muster through and pay for to get the piece of paper.
You need to understand what the piece of paper signifies to your potential and current employers.
The piece of paper means you have drive. It means you have determination. It means when life happens and is stressful and you have a thousand balls in the air, you can still complete and conquer. It means if you are tasked with a job or are in a situation you don't like, you will still finish it and finish it well.
The piece of paper means you can work well under leadership and with a team. Sometimes you believe a teacher is making you jump through hoops or not giving you an easy solution. It is not an instructor being lazy or difficult, it is teaching you to face adversity and problem solve.
That is what employers are looking for when they look at that piece of paper. I have always believed education as a test for employment.
Whether it is pure intelligence, crazy hard study habits, or sheer will, these classes signify your ability to be successful. That piece of paper proves you have longevity. You have stick-to-itiveness. No matter how long or short the path, you made it to the clearing.
Do not think of classes as what do I have to take, but as an opportunity that you get to take, because so many others in this region and this world do not.
I once had a HS teacher friend tell me (long before I was teaching) that if a student finds a way to successfully cheat his or her way through class, that is a life skill because they will likely be able to find short cuts in real life to succeed. While those students may become successful, they will do so in a completely unethical way. Don't be that person. No one likes to work with that person
I recently came across this blog and it puts everything I feel as an educator into far more eloquent words than I am able to write. I know you have a ton to read right now, but give it a gander (it is a quick read). It might change your frame of reference in regards to education.
http://affectiveliving.wordpress.com/2014/03/08/what-students-really-need-to-hear/
I am so happy to have been your instructor and been a small part in your education journey. I am so proud of what you have accomplished.
I understand the perception students have of me as a young-ish college instructor. That education probably came easy to me. I was a traditional college student at 18, graduated, got a job, worked on my masters, etc. While those are all the facts, the bigger picture is I grew up in a very small, rural town with what I then perceived as minimal opportunities to be successful outside of farming, blue coller jobs, or going for technical training at vo-tech. I am not only a first generation college student, I rarely knew anyone who completed college. However, I was raised to know that I had the the opportunity to go to college. This is why I choose and love to work at a community college. I do not think my path to education was any harder nor easier than yours. Growing up where I did taught me to be successful, to be agile, to have a strong work ethic, to be determined and diligent about what I wanted to achieve for my future.
I say all this to let you understand that I do know and remember how difficult college is to navigate without having someone who knows the path help point you in the right direction.
If you ever need any help at OTC, always feel free to contact me. I can help with advising, transfer, resume, etc. Even if I don't have an answer, I know someone who does.
Best of luck!
--kg
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