What Are Your Plans?

If you have been out of High School for more than six months, have not obtained that job or career you once dreamed of; the question is " What Are Your Plans?"  If returning to school is not part of your plans now or in the near future, consider serving your country. Yes, enlisting in the Military may help you to decide what you want to do in this life. You will have excellent opportunities to travel, meet people from different cultures, get on the job paid training, leadership, discipline, and earn money for college or vocational training. 

Today you must have a competitive advantage in the job market.  Military experience looks good on any resume. While in the military take advantage of the educational opportunities. The educational opportunities will prove to be of great value to you both in and out of the military. Now is to time for you to be productive and increase your marketability in all areas of your life. Remember: Marlene says make it happen. 

The Importance of Education: Why Do I Need A Formal Education?

The Importance of Education: Why Do I Need A Formal Education?: "An education is an absolute Must for survival. Although an informal education will be the first teachings encountered, a formal educat..."

The Importance of Education: A Vocational Education

The Importance of Education: A Vocational Education: "The idea of attending a vocational school is a good start. If you attend a vocational school also known as a trade school, you will be able ..."

The Importance of Education: Making The Decision To Attend College

The Importance of Education: Making The Decision To Attend College: "Deciding whether or not to attend college can be a difficult decision. As I have previously stated, attending college does not guarantee tha..."

Making The Decision

As we approach the end of the year choices and decisions must be made. These choices/decisions will have an impact on you personally and professionally. The only wrong choice is the decision to remain neutral. When you are in a neutral position you cannot move forward or backwards, you stay positioned where you are with many regrets.

NOW is the time to look into that college or vocational education you have been thinking about. Please do not let finances deter you, there are plenty of financing opportunities available. Please do not say you do not have the time. There are traditional and non traditional classes available, and you can attend as a full-time or part-time student. Please do not let child care and other family obligations hinder you, because you can attend school right in the comfort of your own home! The choices and decisions are yours. Remember: Marlene says make it happen!

Making The Decision To Attend College

Deciding whether or not to attend college can be a difficult decision. As I have previously stated, attending college does not guarantee that you will get a high paying job; nor does it guarantee that you will get a job. The biggest decision you will need to make before deciding to attend college would be the career field you would like to work. For Example: If you decided you wanted to become a psychologist you should be prepared to dedicate at least 6 to 8 years toward college. If you received a bachelor's degree in the field of psychology your choice of work options will be extremely limited. In fact you may not able to work in the psychology field until you at least have a graduate degree. If this is a profession that you desire to work in, then it is absolutely a worthwhile investment. However, if you're unsure you would really need to do extensive research so that you do not waste your time or money pursuing this career.


Another career field that requires a degree but only on an associate level is registered nursing. This career field requires two years of college to enter at the entry level. However, you must decide if you are able to work with people, blood, and other bodily fluids. Working as a registered nurse can be quite rewarding, and it can also be quite a challenge. If you were to pursue an education in the field of registered nursing, I would suggest that you make sure you do your research and enter the profession for the right reasons. Registered nursing has been glamorized by many TV shows. Yes, registered nurses are able to earn very good wages. Keep in mind money is not everything, and there is always the possibility of being involved in a malpractice lawsuit. The earning potential for registered nurses with associate degrees is good. If you really want to increase your earning potential, and employment options, then you will definitely need to return to school to pursue advanced degrees.

Making the decision to attend college requires a lot of self reflection. Remember it is a long-term investment with the possibility of great rewards. As you grow older and look back on your life you will probably never regret acquiring a college education. I will tell you if you do not attend college it may be one of your biggest regrets. To this day I have not met a person who has said “I wish I would have never gone to college and received my associate, bachelor, master, or doctorate degree.” Whatever you decide is best for you, remember, Marlene says: make it happen.

A Vocational Education

The idea of attending a vocational school is a good start. If you attend a vocational school also known as a trade school, you will be able to acquire skills that will help to increase your earning potential. A vocational school is ideal especially if you do not have a lot of time to invest in college pursuing a degree. The vocational school is an excellent way to develop training that will lead to higher paying entry-level jobs. For Example: If you want to enter the healthcare field as a nurse you may not have enough time to invest in a two or four year degree. However, you may be willing to invest nine months to one year of schooling to enter the nursing field as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVP); which is also known as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) depending upon the state in which you reside.


As a Licensed Vocational Nurse you could enter the healthcare setting with the ability to earn a good income. Please note you will not earn as much as you could if you had a college degree. However, you would be able to acquire jobs that are in demand. Additional vocations to consider include: cosmetology, automotive mechanics, and culinary schools. Keep in mind with the various vocational training, you can also use your skills to become an entrepreneur. Many licensed vocational nurses work as private duty nurses. Many cosmetologists and mechanics open their own businesses. Many cooks open their own restaurants or bakeries. These are just a few examples of vocational training, and what you can do with that training.

You may not have the desire to attend a college or university, and that is all right. Each one of us has a reason or desire to pursue the career path that we may believe is best for us. Vocational training is an alternative to consider instead of not pursuing any higher education.  Vocational training always looks nice on a resume; because it shows that you have made a personal investment in yourself and in your education. The choice is yours, identify the type of work that you would like to do, and REMEMBER, Marlene says: make it happen.

Joining The Military or Obtaining a Higher Education

 Joining the military is an excellent way to serve your country and defend our right to freedom. The big question is, will joining the military replace a higher education. The answer is NO. The military will offer some training but often that training may not be of much value when you decide to leave the military. FOR EXAMPLE: If you were in  artillery, infantry, or clerical how far do you think those skills learned will take you? Keep in mind those skills were for a military lifestyle not a civilian lifestyle.

The Department of Defense knows the importance of an education, that is why education programs like the GI Bill, Montgomery Bill, and other funding for education is part of the benefit package for enlisting. In fact the military encourages higher education and without it promotions will be less likely to occur. Why? Simply because you will not have enough points to get that promotion without the education credits.  Today's military is looking for a quality service man or woman; not necessarily quantity. The funds and opportunities are available for you to attend college, but you must be willing to make that personal investment in you, your education, and your future.  Just think, the Officers in the military ALL have college degrees or attended Military Academies. These are leaders. Even the higher ranking enlisted non-commissioned officers will have that college background.

Allow the Military to help you achieve your desired goals in life. However, do not be mislead into believing it is an alternative to higher education. The choice is yours: Take advantage of the education benefits you have earned , or allow those valuable benefits to be wasted. Set your goals, stay focused, and Remember, Marlene says: make it happen.

Deciding Not To Obtain A Higher Education

          You have made the conscious decision not to obtain a higher formal education. At the same time you have made the unconscious decision to live in poverty, earn a low income, work harder & longer hours, or become an Entrepreneur. Keep in mind I am not saying this will not happen if you have an advanced level of higher education. What I am saying is that you have raised the risk factor if you do not  have the higher education.


         There is a lot of competition  out there, and let's face it 99% of the times if you and another person apply for a job in which both of you are qualified and capable of doing, the following will more than likely occur:

• The person with the higher formal education will get the position.
• The person with the higher education will be paid a higher salary.
• The person  with the higher education will get the position and be paid a higher salary; if both of you are offered the position.

        Although this may seem unfair, the fact is an employer would prefer the person with the higher education because the person has made a personal investment in him or her self. Also because the person with the higher education will be more qualified to perform other duties outside the initial scope of the job position. The competition is tough and without that higher education it is even tougher to compete. You may completely disagree with me, and that is alright. However, I challenge you to prove me wrong. Remember a good challenge is presented with FACTS  not  OPINIONS.


        The path of entrepreneurship is also an option. In fact, the likely hood of you owning or starting your own  successful business is Very Good. The reason is because you will be doing something that you strongly desire, enjoy, and has a niche.  Also your success rate is increased because unlike the person with the higher education you would spend less time figuring the pros and cons. Instead you would put more time and energy into doing what you know best - thus increasing the profits with your know - how; as opposed to projected analysis.


        The choice is yours. I would suggest, as you make a conscious decision not to obtain a higher formal education; make a conscious decision to establish your living, working, and earning potential. There is no right or wrong. However there is contentment or frustration. REMEMBER, Marlene says: Make It Happen.


                                            

                            

Different Ways To Obtain An Education

There are different ways to receive an education. As time progresses I will discuss multiple ways to receive a formal and informal education. How to be successful with or without a formal education. How to acquire a college education in  traditional and non-traditional ways.

My goal is to inspire others to become AWARE of the Intellectual Capital he or she has. The awareness will open many doors for you. While a college education may open many career opportunities for you; it will not guarantee financial stability, employment, happiness, or personal gratification. You may not desire a college education. That too is fine, however, you will need to tap into your intellectual capital harder; as this will help you to achieve your desired goal. As I always tell my family and friends: There is more than one way to get to California. Simply put there is more ways than one to achieve success in your life. 

I firmly believe there is no right or wrong way to reach your desired goal. You must choose the road that you believe is right for you. What I do know, is that you will definitely use the tools of education. The education tools may be formal, informal, or a combination of both. The choice is yours. What tools do you require to define success in your life? Please remember it  is not all about the dollar. What ever you decide REMEMBER, Marlene says: Make It Happen.

Why Do I Need A Formal Education?

An education is an absolute Must for survival.  Although an informal education will be the first teachings encountered, a formal educatuion in most cases will prove to be more beneficial. The formal education will teach a person how to read, write, add, multiply, solve problems, be creative and think broader.

It should be noted that everyone can learn and is teachable. However, the key is to identify how the learner is able to understand and interpret the information. FOR EXAMPLE: Is the person an audio, visual, hands on, memory, or combination learner? Some people will need repetition to develop a better understanding. Others will learn quickly,and will need a continuous flow of information to keep the attention focused -thus facilitating the learning process. The formal education will usually take place in grades Pre-K  -12. Unfortunately many children may not receive the best formal education for many reasons but ,mainly because the person's Learning Style has not been identified. What is your learning style? When did your parents, teachers, or you first recognize the learning method that works best for you. Truthfully speaking, many do not know.

The formal education is needed to prepare each person to become productive, self sufficient citizens. Whether you enter the workforce and acquire a job, attend a trade school or college to embark on a career, the good foundation of a formal education will be the beginning to ensure you achieve your desired goal.  Will you promote and encourage formal education? Who will you help receive a good formal education?The choice is yours; will you be part of the solution or part of the problem. Remember, Marlene says : Make It Happen.

When Does Education Begin?

When do we begin to get our Education. Who are our Educators? Education can be formal or informal. We get our earliest education during our first year of life. That education is given to us by the people who are in our lives.  We learn how to eat, sleep, drink, laugh, cry, crawl, walk,  love, and trust. This informal education may come from our parents, siblings, extended families, and other caregivers such as Daycare Providers. Our first informal education will define how we be, and how we will embrace the challenges in life.

As you go about your daily tasks will you give an education to a small child, new worker, old friend, or knowledgable employer? Simply put, who will you educate, and give life long skiils to? Who's life will you change for the better? You are an EDUCATOR. The choice is yours,  will you make a positive impact  in the life of another, OR  just be. REMEMBER, Marlene says: Make It Happen.

The Importance of Education

Education is beautiful. Education the most valuable,and intangible asset you can possess. What makes education a beautiful, valuable, and intangible asset? The answer is each person has knowledge and important information that should be shared with others, and can be used in a positive way.  Education can be formal or informal. For example: If you know how to clean floors, clothes, automobiles,or even teeth. You can take that information, teach others how to do what you know how to do. Then you can add your own flare to your teachings. By adding your own flare, you have created a difference in how to clean.

Your ideas are beautiful. However, the concept of educating others about what and how, you do ordinary things differently. Will empower you to increase your earning potential, and patent your ideas. Now you see how Education is the most valuable and intangible asses each of us possess.

The choice is yours. what you do with your formal or informal education is up to you. REMEMBER, Marlene says: make it happen.