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Essay / A college education provides professional services,...
John Henry Newman and Jon Spayde both discuss the true meaning of a college education in their works titled "The Idea of a College" and "Learning in the key to life.” Newman defines a truly effective education as a liberal education. He believes that “the art of the University is the art of social life, and its end is adaptation to the world” (47). Similar to Newman's belief that a well-rounded education is necessary, Spayde also agrees that "the humanities are the basis for getting along in the world, for thinking and learning to think about the world instead of just reacting to events current” (60). It is therefore certain that a university education cannot be based solely on an academic concentration, but must also offer the skills necessary to form well-rounded and diverse individuals in society. Therefore, a college education is essential to provide people with not only the professional, but also the spiritual and social skills needed to live a successful life. Anyone who wants to succeed in life must have a solid academic background, consisting of a certain specialization. A university is an institution that enables people to make such choices and develop their skills for careers involving such specializations. The benefit of this type of specialized system is the unique skill that a person learns and develops in that particular area. Such refined qualities, necessary to be comfortable in a career, allow one to be much more productive than someone without a college education. Additionally, these skills improve a person's status when finding a well-paid professional job. Therefore, a college education provides an individual with the knowledge and professional skills needed to find a better job...... middle of article ...... social skills an individual provides that person the ability to succeed in life. Finally, to be effective, a university education must not only offer the specialized skills necessary to succeed in a branch of knowledge. True edification consists not only of facts, but also of a spiritual attachment to them and the ability to interact and work around them. Therefore, a well-educated individual possesses not only the professional skills, but also the spiritual and social skills needed in life. Works CitedNewman, Henry. “The idea of a university.” The presence of others. 3rd ed. Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. New York: St. Martin's, 2000. 46-49. Spayde, Jon. “Learning is the key to life.” The presence of others. 3rd ed. Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. New York: Saint Martin, 2000. 58-63.