College at a Crossroads

Lifelong Learning is Essential to Well-Being (Part 3 of 3)

In Part 1 and Part 2, we reviewed a lot of data about how and why Americans are turning away from higher education. We saw that market dynamics are causing prices to spiral out of control, and there needs to be a better fit of degrees offered to the market needs. But there is an underlying deeper story: As often happens in times of change, competing forces are creating a situation that is a little bit right and a little bit wrong.

To me, the biggest red flag from the research was declining interest or commitment to learning itself. In Part 2, we saw young people who simply didn’t see education itself as worth the effort. They were willing to settle for a lesser job that paid more immediately, or for the hope of some “get rich quick” scheme—likely sacrificing their future potential.

Let’s Not Forget What Works

Fundamentally, college is about learning. So to illustrate the advantage college still has, I’ll tell a story about my recent learning experience. The story started around 2012 when I worked for a big tech company. I decided I needed to learn more about emerging technologies such as data science and machine learning, and I made a list of topics I wanted to learn about. The list was quite long, probably 70+ items.

• A roadmap and guide. I started the journey by looking up the topics on the web, which involved a lot of stumbling around—reading various articles and watching assorted YouTube videos. The journey often covered the same material in slightly different ways, and, frequently, one topic led to delving into another topic that was ultimately a dead end. Then, I discovered the online course provider Coursera. I was pretty thrilled with it, taking many courses, virtually for free. A key value there was in the guidance—having someone point out the best materials, the optimal sequence for studying, and how to understand parts that might be challenging. This guidance saved time and energy.

• The commitment. Besides efficiency in learning the material, it takes commitment to learn a subject intensely. In my Coursera phase, sometimes I finished a course, and sometimes I jumped to another. When you are doing it yourself, for free, there is less pressure and motivation, so you switch around. This can be fun and educational, and a few items did come off my topic list. But one day, though, I had the thought, “Shouldn’t I get credit for this?” So I enrolled in an accredited college, which provides structure. You pay money and you have the prospect of failing. It’s a little bit like how a gym membership motivates you to go. And guess what? When I finished the degree, almost every one of the items on my list was checked off.

• The demonstration of accomplishment. Yes, college gives you a piece of paper, and people who doubt the value of college like to say that it’s a lot of work and money for a piece of paper which doesn’t prove they can do the job. But, what it does provide (if from an accredited school) is a universally recognized testament that you have some education in the field and the commitment to accomplish big and challenging objectives. Especially if you are a person just entering the workforce, a potential employer wants to have an idea about your abilities. I’ve also taken a lot of Coursera, Datacamp, and LinkedIn courses, and I have learned a lot from them. But let’s be real: They are far easier to pass than an actual semester-long college course.

• The relationships. The college experience, even when done remotely, also brings relationships as well. You form relationships with instructors and fellow students that might last the rest of your life. This is important for learning and networking.

Lifelong Learning

While college still has value, the question is not how to check off the college education box—it’s how to develop the habit of learning throughout your life. In our rapidly changing world, the importance of lifelong learning cannot be overstated. Learning is not confined to the classroom or tied to a specific phase of life. Instead, it's a lifelong journey that fuels personal growth, career success, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for the world's complexities.

Lifelong learning has numerous benefits, even if you are learning things that are not directly related to a specified career.

• Adaptability and Resilience. In a dynamic, ever-evolving world, adaptability is a critical skill, and new education needs are arising constantly. So, getting a college education when young doesn’t mean you are finished with education.

• Career Advancement. Lifelong learners have a competitive edge, as they continuously acquire new skills, update existing ones, and stay current with industry trends. This dedication to self-improvement translates into career advancement and opportunities for professional growth.

• Cognitive Health. Research suggests that intellectual stimulation and lifelong learning are linked to cognitive health. Engaging in mental activities, whether it's learning a new language, mastering a musical instrument, or delving into a new field of study, can contribute to better memory, cognitive function, and overall mental well-being.

• A Path to Innovation. Innovation thrives in an environment of continuous learning. Lifelong learners are more likely to think creatively, seek novel solutions, and challenge the status quo.

• Personal Fulfillment. Lifelong learning is not just a means to an end; it's an end in itself. Learning is fun. It ignites intellectual curiosity, instills a sense of purpose, and provides a lifelong source of joy.

• Lifelong learning encourages social engagement. It fosters connections with like-minded individuals and communities of learners.

So, the conversation with parents and children should not be “Are you going to college after high school yes or no?” but “What are your career aspirations and how will you build the habits of lifelong learning to pursue them?”

Thoughts for the Next Evolution

Although much more could be said on this topic, I’ve reached this point at the end of this 3-part series:

• There are market dynamics that are driving the cost too high, and a reckoning of potential students versus this cost seems likely. However, there are also different paths to mitigate that expense. Besides financial aid, some courses can often be taken more cheaply at other institutions and transferred as credits to the final school.

• Evaluating the college experience based on ROI as indicated by a salary at some chosen point in the future is problematic. For one reason, there are other benefits to well-being and the ability to choose the work one likes.

• Apart from the market dynamics, colleges are at a crossroads where modern technology and expectations are challenging centuries-old assumptions about the best ways to get educated.

The key aspect, though, is how to prepare ourselves and our children for the future—a future that requires lifelong learning. By nurturing intellectual curiosity, individuals embark on a rewarding journey of self-discovery and the continual pursuit of knowledge. If people are simply satisfied with being mediocre, it becomes a problem for their own well-being and that of the world. We need the hunger to improve and better drive economic growth and solve the pressing problems we face as a global civilization.