Well, that was a lovely speaker. My first thought was, “Hey!
There’s the Six Flags guy” so from that thought onward I knew it was going to be good. I like the way he
spoke and the dynamics of his voice.
Most of what he said made very much sense to me.
I guess I really just want to share my general thoughts on
what he had to say.
He began talking about STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics) education and its relevance in the world today.
Yes, interest is going down while innovation and demand is
going down. I agree with everything he said. However, for the sake of arguing I
would like to bring up a confounding variable. It relates to job security and
the role the government plays. Let’s be honest here, some (not all) of the jobs
related with STEM are now on the downfall, concerning security and availability.
We all know NASA and many defense organizations from the government where CUT.
They were CUT, as in there is no opportunity there. I feel as if that plays a
big role in the interest of upcoming individuals in education. For example, if
little Johnny sees that engineer, math oriented, Dad comes home without a job,
little Johnny is less likely to pursue the same thing that caused distress in
his household. It may be a little far-fetched, but you cannot deny its application.
Contemplating my purpose in life: to eat or swing from trees?? Decisions, Decisions. #thirdworldprobz
The very first thing Dr. Calhoun said was about our
identities. I knew then where he was going with that. Soon, if not already, our
identities will be shaken. They will be challenged and changed. Being an honor
student is one identity, however, that I have found I do not want to change. I
have thought on this a lot and have concluded that while I am here in college,
I don’t want to change that about myself. Challenges will present themselves in
that journey, as well as the journey with shaken identities. More than
anything, I realized I do not know anything. Dr. Calhoun made that revelation present for
me.
Leading from that, it made me question myself. The same question
has been haunting me since I get to UNA in various forms around campus. It is
this: “Who am I and what am I called to do?” This is such a large question,
that, to be honest, I don’t even know if I can understand it, much less answer
it myself. College, thus far, has been
challenging, exciting, fun, stressful, awesome, etc- however; no revelations of
any kind have been conceived even leading me to this answer. So, fellow
bloggers, hopefully by the last one of these, or at least when you see me
getting my diploma, I will be able to answer it for you.
He said one thing that I absolutely cannot forget. He said, “Allow
yourself to experience ignorance”. I think this is super important. Not only
does it teach you humility, but also a new way of how you see yourself, as well
as others. Be who you want to be, and do not let others, or other situations,
stop you from doing so.
Life happens. Let us embrace it from the very core of our
beings wholly unsure of what is to come.
Anna (confused, yet enlightened, college student)
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