College Education vs. High School: Two Neighbors Compared

Introduction

For this assignment, I interviewed two neighbors about their educational backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives on the value of education. The contrast between their lives offered a revealing look at how formal education — or the lack of it — can shape a person's career, outlook, and sense of possibility.

Interview One: A High School Graduate's Perspective

The first person I spoke with was a neighbor who is 23 years old. Her educational background consists of only a high school diploma. Right now she is cleaning houses, and she is not sure that many of the skills she learned in high school have much to do with that work.

Her favorite teacher was her choir director. She enjoyed singing, and she appreciated him because he had a way of making students try a little harder at things they were afraid to do — he encouraged them to push past their own reluctance. Her least favorite learning experience was Biology in the tenth grade. The teacher in that class was very difficult and not very warm. She did not explain things well and did not welcome questions from students.

My first interviewee thinks the school system has improved over the years. She said technology seems to be really good for educational purposes, though she does not own a computer and does not particularly want one. Still, she can see why people might find them useful, and she thinks they might make the learning experience more pleasant than what she knew growing up.

She believes a college education is important, but she sees it as something many people simply cannot afford or do not have the time to pursue. She has never been able to afford college herself. She said it might be nice to try a class or two, but she could not see herself earning a degree — she simply said it was not her "personality." Her advice for someone starting out on an educational path would be to stick it out, because actually graduating seems like it would be hard.

She noted that her people skills have served her best. She can talk to almost anyone and make them feel as though she has known them for years. She does not mind cleaning houses — she is good at it and it is not difficult for her to discuss. She is always meeting new people and finding new places to clean.

Interview Two: A College Graduate's Perspective

The second person I spoke with was another neighbor, who is 38 years old. She holds a BA in English, and her degree — along with her college experiences generally — has helped her do many of the things she does today. She works as an editor at a local magazine, and the writing classes she took sharpened her skills considerably.

Her favorite professor taught British Literature. He made everything seem interesting and had an anecdote for every situation. He could take poetry that was difficult to understand and make it accessible by adding humor. She loved the literature classes because they showed her just how much talent exists in the world.

Her worst learning experience came from philosophy. She had originally planned to minor in the subject, but several classes with the dean of the philosophy department changed her mind. He was arrogant and demanding. His tests consisted entirely of essay questions, which were always challenging to complete under time constraints. The pressure of studying and the poor grades she received convinced her that a philosophy minor was not going to happen. The stress made it impossible for her to enjoy the classes, let alone feel confident on exams.

She believes college is important and credits her experience with helping her understand what she likes and dislikes. Her advice for anyone just beginning college is to enjoy it as much as learn from it. The college environment is unlike high school and unlike a work environment — there is nothing else quite like it, and it can be enormously rewarding. The greatest feeling, she said, is earning a degree. Once you have an education, it is something no one can ever take away from you.

Conclusion

Just by talking to these two women for a few minutes, the difference a college education makes became clear. The second interviewee's experience helped me see farther into the future — beyond next week or the current semester. She helped me understand that a degree is worth pursuing no matter how long it takes, and she made me genuinely believe that I could do it.