Education

Education is one of the pillars of global society. As we grow up, we all go through the education system, tackling the challenges and hurdles that pop up along the way. In the western world, we are all students at some point, and we take the lessons we learn in the classroom and out of it with us as we get older and progress into the next stages of our lives. In education, we go through years of personal and academic transformation, and the evolution of ourselves throughout these years is something that is unparalleled. And while education is a fundamental component of so many of our lives, it is also one of the most stressful and challenging experiences that a person can go through in their lives. There is something to be said about the power of pushing oneself to expand one’s horizons academically, but there is also something profoundly important about knowing when it is too much. Sometimes, we all need a little help to get from A to B. There is nothing wrong with admitting to a need for a change of scenery, and there is something empowering about taking that need into one’s own hands and turning it into something golden.

Whether it is using GMAT practice tests to practice for upcoming examinations, or spending entire days – and sometimes even nights – in the library trying to finish assessment, it goes without saying that sometimes being a student is just straight up hard work. It can sometimes feel a little stale to be going over the same content, in the same environment, repeatedly. At some point, we have all felt this way. And while it would not come as a surprise that enrolments were dropping as people realize the levels of commitment needed to scrape through with the bare minimum, this has not happened. In fact, quite the opposite has. Enrolments in higher education are soaring around the world – literally. More and more students are taking on abroad study to get out of their routine, see the world, and experience learning and life simultaneously, somewhere entirely new.

The thrill of studying abroad is one that is easy to understand. Education is something that most of the world is fortunate enough to have experienced, and studying abroad takes the experience of academic perseverance to a whole new level. While students around the world experience education differently, there is nothing in all the world quite like uprooting your comfort zones, your very life, and travelling across the ocean to new worlds. Throwing yourself entirely out of your comfort zone is something that thrills the soul and inspires the mind. It is a feeling that more and more people are chasing as time goes on. Abroad studying is a magical experience, and there is a lot to be said for pushing the boundaries of comfort and reliability, and reimagining where your boundaries lie. This is how great minds are sharpened. This is how dream careers are forged.

Being overseas for a semester or two and studying somewhere new, creates an innate sense of zest for life. Students not only get to learn in new and exhilarating environments, but they meet people they never would have otherwise. Studying abroad is a great way for students to build a global network of friends and industry professionals, that can prove to be immensely beneficial as life goes on. We have all heard the phrase “it’s all about who you know”, and there is nothing that rings truer when it comes to professional progression. Students who study abroad make connections that they would otherwise have perhaps never crossed paths with, and these connections can go on to become key instigators in future job offers and entrepreneurship collaborations (among many other things). The best part about abroad education is that students expand their horizons on every possible level, and they become more well-rounded people because of their unique academic experiences.

A privilege to the end, having the opportunity to study is something that many of us take for granted. It is also something that many of us underestimate the challenge in. With so much continuous stress and strain, it would be easy to assume that enrolments in higher education are dropping around the world. Understandable, however quite the opposite is true. Enrolments in higher education are growing every year, and while population growth is obviously partially responsible, it is abroad study that is the key driver for the surge in enrolments worldwide. Studying abroad is gaining more traction as a viable and popular academic method of education. And really, when students can see the world while simultaneously reaching new expanses of academic excellence, why shouldn’t abroad study be gaining more popularity? And even now, it continues to flourish. This boom is far from over, not by a long shot.

It’s among the most ambitious and inspiring of responses to the question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”

“A lawyer.”

The appeal of fame, fortune and early retirement is incredibly tempting to many a young person, but how often do they properly consider the possible ramifications of such a career choice? Practicing law at the highest level is undeniably fraught with risk, and many an esteemed lawyer has met their death because of their career choice.

This week, esteemed Harvard law professor Ronald S. Sullivan Jr received death threats and calls for his resignation from the distinguished American University, simply for agreeing to act as criminal defense attorney for the disdained American producer Harvey Weinstein, who faces allegations of sexual abuse following complaints from at least six women. Despite having previously overturned hundreds of wrongful convictions and having garnered widespread praise for becoming the first African American in history to be appointed as Harvard University’s law faculty dean, his accomplishments to date have all but been forgotten in the wake of his decision to uphold the most basic premise of law: that even people accused of the very worst crimes deserve a robust defense.

He is not the first lawyer to suffer public humiliation and attacks for doing so.

There were the lawyers who defended the War on Terror detainees at Guantanamo Bay, who were dubbed “The Al Qaeda seven” and questioned in a New York post article about their underlying values – and whether or not they were shared with the enemy.

There was Michael Ratner, a civil liberties lawyer who represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as well as Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, the Bosnian Serb leader convicted of genocide and war crimes charges by the United Nations Radovan Karadzic, and numerous prisoners being detained for terrorism-related charges, and who as a result was consistently branded a traitor and threatened by his fiercest critics.

And there was the condemnation of every lawyer to have ever represented a serial killer, despite knowing of their guilt. A member of Ted Bundy’s defense team once famously described him as “the very definition of heartless evil”, but continued to defend him nonetheless, earning him an equally horrific reputation.

The risks inherent in practicing law and defending controversial clients are sorely undervalued by those aspiring to craft a future in law – and we aren’t paying enough attention to the issue. At the other end of the scale, we have lawyers like Amal Clooney who will risk their very life to uphold values held to be true to them.

Speaking to US Magazine a few years ago, the high-profile human rights lawyer admitted her decision to take ISIS to court for genocide was understandably fraught with risk, but that she was prepared to take on those risks. After meeting ISIS survivor and activist Nadia Murad, who escaped captivity from the terrorist group after being tortured and raped for many months, Amal admitted she could not deny the girl justice.

She justified her representation of Nadia as the only means of addressing the inhumanity and brutality of the terrorist group.  “I think one of the ways to take action that way is to expose their brutality and corruption, and partly you can do that through trial,” Amal said.

Amal now faces threats and uncertainty over her safety as a result of her decision to defend the damaged young Iraqi girl, begging the question of whether lawyers are truly operating in among the most dangerous of fields. Wang Fu is another human rights lawyer who faces persecution in her own country for representing clients including members of the banned spiritual movement Falun Gong, and Ilham Tohti – a well-regarded ethnic Uyghur and critic of the Chinese government, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2009.

What is the safest means of practicing law in this day and age? Working as a family lawyer?  A law professor? Working as a military or estate law attorney? How can one work to defend justice without treading on the wrong toes? Is it even possible?

Even an environmental lawyer faces a high level of risk. In 2017, the Philippine lawyer who was renowned for investigating crimes against the environment was ambushed and shot dead in broad daylight. I repeat, in broad daylight. The death of Mia Manuelita Mascarinas-Green pushed the Philippines to the ranking of second most dangerous country in the world for environmental campaigners after Brazil.

Ten years ago, thousands of lawyers donning black suits and ties took to the streets of Pakistan to protest the suspension of the constitution. Over 600 were arrested as a result, but it once again demonstrated the absolute willpower and determination of those working in the field of law to uphold the most basic principles of law theory. That for modern society to continue to evolve and thrive it must uphold the very foundations of the legal institutions upon which it is founded. The law must come first – before all else.

Education is an important rite of passage. That is a fact that has not, and does not, change. Whether everyone gets access to this rite of passage is another matter, but at the heart of it all what education is all about is giving people the chance to better themselves academically and intellectually. An ancient industry at this point, education has successfully seen through generation after generation of eager students while maintaining its position as a worthwhile, relevant sector. This ideology has not necessarily changed, but the world around which education is moulded has. As such, what this means is that traditional education, while still successful and influential, is not a viable form of learning that is going to be appropriate for all students. With this in mind, online courses has been developed and introduced over recent years, and while there are plenty of people who will say that online education spells the end for traditional brick and mortar academic institutions, that is simply not the case. Instead, online education provides students with certain qualities of life and access points that traditional education does not – the same can be said for what traditional education is able to provide. So, what is the difference between the two? Which is better?

The short answer is that it depends on what kind of attributes any given student responds to. There will always be those who are of the opinion that education should be kept wholly traditional, just as there will always be people who believe that education should wholeheartedly evolve to mature with the shift of the modern world. When it comes down to it, though, all that really matters is that every single individual who wants to be a student has an option before them that caters to their specific requirements and preferences. With this in mind, both traditional and modern online education have a place. The two each have their own benefits and their own downfalls, and in the end every student should do their research before picking which education format to follow through with. Since the moment that online education came to fruition, there has been debate about whether it actually offers anything of value that is not already available through traditional modes of education. They are each different, so it is only right that they each get their time to shine.

Traditional brick and mortar education systems have a leg up on the modern online learning platforms. First and foremost, they have been around a lot longer and have the established reputation of single handedly getting through generation after generation of global students into the workforce successfully. Keep in mind, however, that this achievement was made possible in a different world than the one that exists today. Traditional education provides students with a structure that appeals greatly to some individuals as students. In enrolling in traditionally-inclined institutions, students are given a set program that they must follow. Included in this program is set class times that are compulsory and non-negotiable, a set learning process, and in-person feedback and questions and answers. In short, traditional education allows students an experience that thrives and is most successful when applied wholly and with their education as their top priority. Students who opt for traditional education experiences are often and most likely to be individuals who put their academic progression first, and can fit in the rest of their lives comfortably around that.

Students that commit to their studies via online education are given an innate sense of flexibility that is not possible through traditional education. Traditional brick and mortar colleges or universities do not allow for this flexibility, but online education means that students are able to log on, study, and log out whenever they have the time to. Students are now able to study on their own terms, in their own time, without having to adhere to what is, for some, impossible geographical limitations. Individuals that would not have been able to study if they had to make the trip into campus every other day are now able to commit to an entire degree, knowing that they have the flexibility and the power to alter and shift their schoolwork in around the rest of their lives, not the other way around. When the modern student is busier than ever, this is nothing but a good thing, for the most part. As technological advancement and digitalisation increasingly changed the world, they too changed the education industry. As a result, what has occurred is a steadfast realisation that there are students that prefer the traditional education models, and there are those who prefer to opt for the modern learning methods. There is more than enough room – and demand – for both forms of education to thrive.

Throughout human history, education has successfully helped to mould generation after generation of eager young minds into intelligent, well-rounded human beings and professionals. Over time, however, the world that these students have grown up in has changed, and the generations that have followed them – and will follow them – through the education systems around the world have evolved as well. The inevitable result of this personal and societal evolution is that traditional education methods and models are no longer entirely successful; while they still appeal to some students, there are others that demand a more modern approach to learning. If the question is which form of education is better overall, then the answer is neither. However, if the question is which is better for a particular student, then it realistically comes down to the student in question. For some students, the structure and in-person approach of traditional education is perfect. For others, the flexibility and accountability of online learning is the way to go. Ultimately, both forms of education have their place – and will continue to do so – in the modern – and future – education sector.

The education industry has been through something of a revitalisation in recent years. While practically every other industry has had its fair share of digital reawakening since technology took hold, the education sector is one of the most renowned for its traditional methods and models. Because of worldwide education’s role in shaping the minds and ideals of young generations, the importance of it evolving to realign with the rest of the world was crucial, it is true, but it was also daunting and quite a slow process. The reason for this snail’s pace in industry-wide embracement of technology and digitalisation, is the fact that the industry has historically thrived on its traditional methods and models.

There has been no need to modernise with the times. Until recently. Over the last ten years or so, the average student that has made their way through the education industry in their respective country of residence has become increasingly familiar with technology and digitalisation. Because of this digital fluency, students have become increasingly comfortable, even reliant, on technological innovation in all areas of their lives – including their education and learning experiences. The global education sector realised the necessity of introducing technology to the education industry, just as tech entrepreneurs were beginning to wonder if it would ever be made possible.

Innovations in education like online training and the digitalisation of learning materials and assessment submissions snowballed into a complete industry revitalisation. The result of that revitalisation is the introduction of online education. In short, online education was introduced to combat and ultimately break down one of traditional education’s biggest barriers: geographical stability. Traditionally, students had to be in relative proximity of their chosen college or university, or they would be obviously unable to attend classes – some of which marked attendance. Online education eliminates this barrier, allowing any individual who has a stable Wifi connection and a drive to learn, the opportunity to enrol in classes, taking them online as opposed to having to physically go in.

Students today are given the choice between traditional education and online learning. This is something that might seem normal to us now, but it has been a long, difficult road to get to this point. It has not always been so easy for students to have full flexibility in their education experience, and they are relishing that flexibility now that it is here. More than anything else, the introduction of online education presents as a force of strength and capability, and welding it together with traditional education ensures that the two are able to function efficiently side by side as time moves us on.

Online education is still a relatively innovation in the education industry, but even so, it has proven its value time and again as a strong innovation in modern learning. While there will always be students who prefer the in-person experience that traditional education offers, online education presents a choice to students that was never available before. The result is that the entire education system has become stronger and more capable – something that, as the way of the world moving would have it, was absolutely necessary for education’s healthy development and subsequent relevance in an ever-changing world.

Have you ever thought about starting a club at your university? The sky’s the limit on potential here, since you could feasibly start a club based around anything, from a noble political cause to a fun video game you happen to enjoy. But if you’ve convinced yourself that you don’t have the time, leadership skills, or charisma to start a club, you might be unwilling to take action.

Fortunately, starting a club is much easier than most people think—and the benefits can pay dividends for years to come.

Why Start a Club?

First, you might need a little more motivation. Why would you start a club in the first place?

There are several potential benefits to keep in mind here:

• Sharing (and engaging with) your passion. Think of a topic you’re passionate about. Finding new people to share this passion with, and engaging with that passion regularly can be a massive boost to your mood and self-esteem. You’ll spread the word about one of your favorite books, causes, or hobbies, and you’ll have more time to spend actively thinking about it or practicing it.
• Socializing and meeting new people. One of the most important purposes of any club is to allow people to meet one another and socialize. Even if your club starts as a group of strangers coming together because of a shared interest, in the span of just a few meetings, you’ll start to build bonds and become familiar with one another as individuals.
• Looking good on a resume. Explaining that you started and led a new club can also look good on a resume, demonstrating your leadership experience. Because more and more people are graduating from college these days, it’s important to have a few bullet points that can distinguish you from other graduates.

How to Start a Club

Though every college will have different requirements and processes for starting a club, most of them will allow you to follow this basic formula:

• Consider the possibilities. Brainstorm some of the ideas you have for a club, and don’t write any off yet. Think about what you’d be most excited to share with other people, and which topics have most influenced you in your life. The longer this list is, the better—you can always narrow it down later.
• Look at clubs that already exist. Next, find a list of the clubs and organizations that already exist at your university, and cross-reference them with the list you generated. Chances are, some of these topics already exist as clubs—and ones that you can join as a member. Of those that remain, consider which topics would be most attractive to new members, and gradually narrow them down until you have a clear favorite remaining.
• Make a pitch to an administrator. Once you have a solid idea that isn’t yet a club, prepare a pitch to an administrator capable of helping you start a new club. Depending on your university requirements, you may need to submit a formal application, or you may need to have a few members already in place. Be sure to consult with a counselor or administrator beforehand, so you have all the right details in place. When you pitch, be sure to emphasize how this will benefit the campus.
• Print up some flyers. If you find an inexpensive online printer, you can print up hundreds (or even thousands) of flyers for your club for a trivial amount of money. And if you have backing from an administrator, you can use their money to do it. Leave flyers wherever you can—on bulletin boards, in classrooms, and in common areas—and make sure they’re both eye-catching and effective at explaining what the club will actually be doing.
• Build excitement. Once you start holding meetings, it’s important to build interest and excitement in your club. You can attend related club meetings and cross-pollinate to entice new members to join your club, or talk to professors who teach topics related to yours—most professors would be happy to pitch your club during class if it’s something they’re personally interested in. The key to getting your club off the ground is finding many outlets for attracting new people.
• Welcome new people. Speaking of new people, make sure you make them feel welcomed and valued. If your club is a tight-knit clique that turns a cold shoulder to new people, it’s quickly going to collapse as an organization. Instead, meet and greet new members with enthusiasm, and be patient if they’re unfamiliar with the topic you’ve chosen.

Your club might not grow to be one of the most popular ones on campus, but it has the potential to drastically improve your life, even if you only attract a few members. It might take a few hours of your time to get started, but the time and costs are lower than most new students anticipate. Think carefully about what you’d like to share with other people, then create an action plan to make it happen.

There has been a lot of discussion recently around the technological disruption of the education sector around the world. technology has been making its mark in the industry for quite some time now, so this kind of conversation is nothing new at this point. What is new, however, is the discussion around how education must now pivot to prepare students (both current and future) for a workforce that includes jobs that do not even exist yet. We are amid an era that is developing new technologies and digitalisation techniques at such a rapid pace that it is difficult to keep up. Traditionally, higher education was challenging enough and so is the application process to graduate schools. For example, law school applicants have to commit significant energy and time to LSAT prep, including seeking for LSAT tutoring from highly experienced LSAT tutors in order to improve their score to gain entry into reputable law schools. These days, the reality is that students must be maintaining that level of dedication, but also committing to their futures by making use of modern teachings as well.

The catch-22 there is that they can only undertake those modern teachings if they are made available to them. And this is where the education sector as well as the business industry must work collaboratively to forge a stronger, more unique approach to education. It is an extremely fine line to walk between keeping education in alignment with the traditional ideals that work, and incorporating modern teaching and learning methods and models to strengthen those initial ideals. The goal in education is always to prepare students for the workforce once they complete their studies and graduate. The issue we face right now is that what happens as the current generations of student graduate is unknown. Some of the jobs that currently exist still will, but others will have been modernised or entirely replaced with technologically-advanced communication, teaching, and learning methods. That is just the way it is.

Most of the children and young adults in the education system now will walk into careers that are not even existent yet. The education system – and, by default, the businesses that forge the workforce – must be willing and able to keep up with that reality. There is no other option anymore. This is the kind of world we exist in, and technological advancement and further digitalisation are going to reign supreme in the future workforce. Students must be ready and prepared for that. The students of the past focused all their energies on studying for their upcoming examinations. These ideals are still crucially important in education, and they always will be. There is no doubt about that fact. But now more than ever, we are seeing the disruption of technology begin to dramatically change industries the world over. That has had – and will continue to have – more direct and more significant implications for the workforce.

This is especially true the further these innovations stretch on. As many as 65% of current students will eventually go on to create their careers in jobs that are not even a reality yet. This is a climate of uncertainty, and the schools and universities should be focusing on developing critical thinking more than ever. The students of today – consequently the career-driven individuals of tomorrow – must be able to do more than observe. They must be able to give authentic, informative, and creative input from any and all angles. The fact of the matter is that the future workforce is one that we cannot even begin to draft for these kids now. All we can do is teach them the critical thinking and skills that have the potential for the biggest positive impact on their futures. This is a global shift in focus that is vital for academics today and in the future.

With so many current jobs being vulnerable to potential automation (or even simply a tech-driven overhaul that keeps individuals holding these careers firmly in place), there has never been a stronger call for critical thinking and creative encouragement. The education sector is currently going through multiple modernisations, and while some of those modernisations are quite familiar, there are others that are alien. One of these alienating concepts is the [now] definitive fact that the workforce of the future is going to be vastly different to the one that exists now. While some of the careers that are currently in motion will survive this transition, others will be modernised or entirely replaced.

The workforce of the future demands that the education system now – which is full of the students that will walk into this uncertain future workforce – better prepares its students for that future as best it can. One of the tactics in motion should be businesses aligning themselves with the education to better prepare students for a workforce that they are not at all familiar with. This is a process that is happening right now, but it must gain significant traction before the students of today – and tomorrow – are even remotely ready to step into a workforce that is ripe with completely new jobs and career options.