Critical Thinking Reflection Paper

Michaela Lyons

HUM/115

03/30/15 Amy Gordon

Critical Thinking Reflection Paper

Part A: What do you want to be when you grow up? A question that was continuously asked by our parents, our teachers and our families. Growing up our possibilities seemed endless, we could go from wanting to become an astronaut to a princess in the matter of a days. Slowly but surely time catches up to us and the daunting question of what you want to be suddenly becomes real. Initially attending college seems extensive, and at one point or another we all question the importance of the obligation put upon us by society. Will college really benefit my future? We all have the drive to pursue the quickest and the easiest route to success but it isn’t always what’s best for us. We need to cultivate our knowledge further to ensure the best future for ourselves. Based on economy and job projections calculated by Georgetown University, in 2018, approximately 63% of jobs will require some college education or a degree (Carnevale, 2010). Which means, in 2018 without an advanced education only %37 of jobs will be available to choose from. A 2011 Pew Research survey found that 57% of Americans felt higher education did not provide students with good value compared to the money spent (Pew Research, 2011). This may provide a good reason for a lack of motivation to attend college and obtain a degree, but what we must consider is the lack of value represented depicts from the amount of advanced education required to acquire a career. Not everyone is going to believe a college degree will benefit them, but we must consider the fact that jobs requiring a high school degree or less fell by 5.6 million in 2010 alone (Lumina,2013). Obtaining a college degree may seem intimidating due to the expenses and time, but when you take into account the number of occupations that require such a degree the expenses and time produce their significance.

Part B: If I’ve learned anything from this course it’s that critical thinking is a continuous development. After determining which issue I’d pursue I mapped out each possible view pertaining to whether or not furthering your education would assist with future career opportunities. After doing so it was quite easy to determine my opinion and effectively explain the opposing one. This course enabled me to use the process of analyses before determining my position, which I’ve honestly never effectively done until now. Recently I’m more aware of my individual biases and I pride myself in the attempts to ignore them. I look forward to furthering my critical thinking skills by unfailingly researching different views on political situations I find interesting rather than inheriting my opinions from close friends. I’ve truly valued this experience and I certainly plan on putting the critical thinking process to good use in my everyday life. I’ve not only emotionally grown but I’ve enabled a great opportunity professionally due to the distinct progression that’s been presented. To question is to understand. A simplistic definition of what critical thinking means and how I can ensure my personal success in the future. I plan to obtain my degree and to unceasingly strive professionally with the knowledge I’ve acquired from this course.

References • Anthony P. Carnevale, Nicole Smith, Jeff Strohl, "Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements through 2018," www.georgetown.edu, June 2010 • Pew Research, "Is College Worth It?," www.pewsocialtrends.org, May 15, 2011 • Lumina Foundation, "A Stronger Nation through Higher Education," www.luminafoundation.org, June 2013