Many Americans seem to forget the true purpose of an education. No, it’s not just to land you a future job, although it may be a perk.

Merriam-Webster defines an education as “the knowledge and development resulting from an educational process.” Employers prefer knowledgeable and developed employees, which is why a higher education is viewed as a way to compete in the job market. It is seen as a resume booster and an increased chance at job security.
In society, the actual purpose of higher education has been lost in the crave for self-success. Higher education is much more than a stepping-stone in landing a dream job — it is what will allow us to progress as a society.

The competitiveness of the job market has overly-enhanced many Americans’ selfishness. Students should never have to march to the state capitol as a plea to save funding for higher education nor should they worry about what drastic changes the Secretary of Education may make.   

As a senior, I’ve countlessly witnessed how the uncertainty and sudden changes of higher education policy can affect people. I have seen peers withdraw from their perspective university because they can no longer afford college tuition.

The Institute for Higher Education Policy conducted a study among 2,000 colleges. They reported students from families with an income of $160,000 or more could afford around 90 percent of the college studies, whereas students from families with less than $69,000 could only afford 1 to 5 percent.   

Fortunately, I haven’t had to question whether or not I’ll be able to obtain an education. However, this is when the concept of selflessness comes into perspective – I’m not an advocate for education because of my future needs. The little black kids, a few miles down the road in the Southside of Baton Rouge, should also have the opportunity to further their education. Those children, and ones like them, should not have to look at their local universities as unattainable.

Education shouldn’t be a luxury. What we consider the best education needs to be the standard. If unlimited access to library databases, courses taught by doctoral professors and a comfortable environment is what we consider to be a great education, then it’s what needs to be the standard. Aside from higher education, there should be a admirable standard set for secondary education as well.  
How could the Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos back President Trump’s proposal of $9 billion cuts to education yet send her children to stellar private schools? All of her children attended Grand Rapids Christian High School  in Michigan where the school’s website states “most of our faculty members have at least a master’s degree, and the rest are working towards one.”
Maybe Grand Rapids Christian should be the standard for high schools.      

Everyone deserves an opportunity to expand their education, no matter their socioeconomic status. As a community, we should not restrain our members from becoming more knowledgeable. A more cultivated society makes for a more efficient and progressive society.
Clarke Perkins is a 21-year-old political science senior from New Orleans, Louisiana.