The importance of a college education in achieving your personal goals or personal circumstances which could hinder you from achieving your goals?

Answer 1

To successful and happy in whatever you do, you must work out of passion - a love for what you do and the benefit it brings others as well as yourself. One of the worse things - in terms of careers - is to wake up in the morning and say, "Man, I have to go to work! It's not good for you, and it is not good for your employer. Employers want their employees coming into work energized, excited, and working out of passion. They do not want them dragging in because it's Monday, and doing cartwheels out the door because it's Friday! Finding your passion is not always so simple. Still, the worse thing you can do is procrastinate your education because you feel you do not know what you want to do. In the beginning, you can take - what I will call - the safe courses. Every program requires English, general or specific electives, Social Science etc. that will apply to any curriculum. Put your foot in the door and just do it! Now, while you are there, make an appointment with a Career Counselor. These are individuals who are trained or specialized in helping you develop career goals. They will interview you, give you an interest inventory, discuss options etc. Once you come to a decision that you feel is appropriate for yourself, I would then contact individuals who are in the field you think your interested in. Ask them if you can shadow them for a day so that you can get a better feel for the day to day operations. You can ask them how they feel about their work, the ups and the downs etc. Usually people are very open to discuss their trails and tribulations, failures, and successes within their field of expertise. However, be warned! Do not speak with just one individual, because they may have an opinion that is either too negatively or positively skewed. Get a variety of perspectives. Sooner or later you will find it! Just do not panic and rush the issue! One last thing. There are dream stealer's out there. Sadly, the people who are the first ones to steal your dreams away are those who love you the most, to include family and friends. They may say things like, "Why do you want to do that, what are you crazy?" They may say hurtful things like, "Oh, you can't do that." They may even try to push you in a different direction. This is not because they do not love you, but they may be worried or in fear for you. They may be afraid that you are making a mistake. Remember this, the only way an individual can steal your dreams away, is if you let them. Just make sure you have an appropriate coach and do your research. It's going to be OK!!

The first thing you must do is to acquire a vision. A vision is a clearly articulated picture of the future you intend to create for yourself. In other words, it's a dream. However, if the dream does not have direction, it will never become a reality. That vision should create a passion within you, a love for what you do and the benefit it brings others as well as yourself. Make sure the vision is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and tangible. Once you have that vision, you will need a mentor to help you develop a road map with short term objectives leading to the overall goal. Maybe that might to a counselor, or teacher etc. It will take some research, but you most likely have some ideas already. Follow them through, look at the nature of the field, the everyday routine, the required education, the salary, the occupational demand and the related fields. When a career sparks an interest, try to shadow an individual who is actually doing what you think you would like to do. You can pick up valuable information this way. Thus:

Acquire the will to change circumstances
Acquire the vision (dream)