George Petrella – 6/8/08

This page was last updated on June 8, 2008.

Value the gift of education; George Petrella; Beaver County Times; June 8, 2008.

I think I understand what Mr. Petrella is trying to say, but I believe he’s a tad off the mark.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“I heard a speech a couple months ago. Some children were being honored for their Junior National Honor Society. A teacher talked about his life and this is somewhat of how the story went. When he was 15, he played sports, his grades were good and everything went well. Then, his mother and father got a divorce and his life started to change. He quit playing sports, his grades started to slip and things got worse.

“He went out west, got a job and lived out of his car. One day, he wrecked the car, sold it for $100, bought a bike and commuted 20 miles to and from work. He got his act together, came back home, went to college and now is a teacher. He never gave up and should be proud of his accomplishments.

“All of you out there, value the gift of education. You can make a difference in the classroom and the world. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”

[RWC] Education can impart knowledge but not intelligence. Some of the most unintelligent persons I know have an extensive education. Likewise, education doesn’t mean character. Members of the General Assembly and Congress provide most of my examples.

“I have always said work hard for four or eight years in college and have it made the rest of your life, or goof off those years and suffer the rest of your life. Those years could change everything.”

[RWC] Regardless of how long you’re in college, there’s no guarantee you’ll “have it made the rest of your life.” One requirement – among many – is that your degree has economic value. You can have a Ph.D. in widget engineering, but if there’s little demand for widget engineers – or a glut of widget engineers – your chances for a well-paying job are diminished. Further, you have to keep working hard. Working hard doesn’t end with your graduation ceremony if you want to be successful.

“You don’t need college to get a $10-an-hour job, so don’t waste your time and money. There’s nothing greater than to have pride and confidence in yourself. If you’re having more fun instead of studying in college, you’re in trouble. In education, two things can happen, fail or succeed. Simple, isn’t it? Focus on priorities and have a good attitude, and remember there are no guarantees in life.”

[RWC] “[T]here are no guarantees in life.” In the previous paragraph didn’t Mr. Petrella tell us “work hard for four or eight years in college and have it made the rest of your life?”

“Commitment, accountability, respect, courage and ethics are only words unless you live by them. Build a reputation, hold yourself accountable, respect others, keep the faith and, with some luck, you could have it all.”

[RWC] I’ll agree with Mr. Petrella that in the vast majority of cases a person needs a post high school education. Where we part ways is that it has to be “four or eight years in college.” For a lot of us, some kind of trade school makes a lot more sense. Good bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, mechanics, plumbers, et cetera can make a good and fulfilling living.

If what you want to do requires a college degree, then that’s where you should go. Otherwise, get the education that makes the most sense for your career choice.