Is Education The Key To Success?

Listening to success stories of how a certain rich man like Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs or Ibukun Awosika made it to wealth is thrilling and brings great enthusiasm. You will notice that everybody wants to know how they made it to be sure they are on the right track and are making the right decisions.

The popular question: “Is Education the key to success?” also bothers the poor and
the rich alike, while in the pursuit of their careers and lifelong goals.

At some point in your search for answers, you can get the answer to the question and become accustomed to the phrase, “Education is the key to success.” So, after university, you walk the streets of your towns and villages with the mindset that you have made it, having acquired an education, and it’s time to reap the fruit of your labor.

However, the question is this: does it truly work this way?

Is education ideally the key to success?

Education, as defined by Wikipedia is the process of facilitating learning or the acquisition
of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. Education can be formal, informal, and
non-formal.

The formal education is planned, organised and conducted in a school setting,
training centre, or skill acquisition centre.

Informal education is most times unplanned and occurs when we observe a need to have knowledge about a concept or a way of life. It also happens when we desire to impart knowledge to our child, a close friend, or a relative. This form of education is continuous and a lifelong process. An example of informal education is learning how to ride a bicycle, picking up a native language by observing others, or showing your employees how to greet and assist visitors.

Whereas formal education occurs in a school system, non-formal education can occur at any location apart from school. Non-formal education is more practical and real-life based and can also include adult or vocational education. The non-formal education can also come in the form of learning a professional skill like copywriting, or earning, and learning (internship). Fees and certificates may not be necessary in this type of education.

Which Type of Education Do You Have?

Wisdom comes not from age but from education and learning, says Anton Chekhov. The 3 types of education work best, and one person can have the 3 types in a lifetime. Ideally, all forms of education furnishes you with knowledge and set you apart from the competition in the world.

In most countries of the world, the place of formal education (in a school setting) is being overrated, which leaves individuals to chase certificates, ranks, and forget about their skills, talents, and the impact they can have in the world. In fact, all I was told before I gained admission into university was that if you study hard, you will have good grades, get a well-paying job, and become successful.

Here, it was assumed that going to a university is the only way to attain success and personal fulfillment. As a result of this, youths who did not make it to a university and had the opportunity to acquire some form of education in a skill acquisition centre feel inferior, thinking they cannot attain success and reasonable heights with the education they had through vocational training
or learning a trade.

In most countries of the world, the place of formal education (in a school setting) is being overrated, which leaves individuals to chase certificates, ranks, and forget about their skills, talents, and the impact they can have in the world. In fact, all I was told before I gained admission into university was that if you study hard, you will have good grades, get a well-paying job, and become successful.

Is Education truly the Key to Success?

A brief story to help us answer the question.

A group of 5 young men were all handed a key to unlock the door to their flat. Each house has some unique features. Some of them have several loads stacked up from the entrance to the rest of the rooms and would require time and effort to unpack them and get the house arranged to their taste, while a few other houses are properly organized with the best interiors.

All 5 young men unlocked their separate doors, and the following scenario occurred.

The first man had his flat filled with a full pack of loads; it was so much that he was discouraged and had a feeling to return the key. On a second thought, he quietly entered the house, took his time, and was gently unpacking the loads. The guy was so slow that in two years down the lane, he would not be able to unpack all the loads.

The second man opened his door, and there was no load; everything was arranged and the flat was organised. He happily made an entrance into the house and began to enjoy the flat. At some time in the year, he would perform some daily cleaning and maintenance of equipment within the house to ensure the house continued to meet his taste and standards.

When the third man entered his home, he was astonished by the condition of the apartment. Choosing not to deal with it, he quietly locked the door again, stating that he would not trouble himself unnecessarily. At some point, he even lost the key!

The fourth and fifth man opened their door and were extremely eager to quickly get
the room fixed up, and tried their best to arrange the house within the shortest
possible time and…Voila!

It was all done

They made entrance into their houses and continued to do daily, weekly, and monthly
cleaning in their flat so it will not be outdated nor gather many dusts.

The story of the 5 young men who were given keys to open the doors is analyzed below
to give you an idea of what education does:

1. A key was handed to all 5 Men: The 5 young men had the opportunity to get a key to the beautiful houses. Most people never had the opportunity to even attend secondary school let alone obtain university degree neither was it even possible for them to get a vocational skill in an organised skill acquisition centre; therefore, it’s a great opportunity to get any type of education. Here, being educated simply means that a key has been handed over to you.
2. They all had a unique experience when the doors were opened: After University, some people end up living a life of regret because their colleagues have a good life and enjoy themselves after school when they are still walking around aimlessly. They do not even have an idea of which part to take, whether to continue with marketing, or to start teaching, or even join others in mining bitcoin. If you read through the story of the 5 young men, you would observe that when some people opened the doors with the keys, the whole place was set, whereas other people did the same and had to work themselves over simply because we are unique and would have our unique experiences.
3. You may need to do extra work or acquire more skills: When an individual learns a trade, such as fashion design, and completes their training after a year, the next aspiration is often to open a shop and become one of the best designers in town. While this approach works for many, it is also important to acquire additional skills, particularly in marketing. Such knowledge enables one to understand the market better, identify a specific target audience, and position their services effectively. Marketing skills also help in recognising the needs of the target market and delivering products or services that meet those needs more efficiently. Similarly, a graduate of computer science requires technical competence, whether in programming, networking, or another area of specialisation, to establish themselves as an expert in their chosen career path. These skills not only enhance employability but also empower the individual to create business opportunities and add value through their acquired degree. It is also worth noting that about half of their peers who appear to have their lives figured out after school may have paid their dues while still in school. While some were preoccupied with merely passing exams, others quietly invested time in developing valuable skills, essentially setting up their “house” early, so they would not have to struggle as much after graduation.
4. You Need People: The truth is that everyone needs people, could be mentors or successors. A mentor provides guidance on how to set your life in the right direction and may help you unpack your load faster and more effectively. Such a person shares the experiences, lessons, and paths that led to their success, offering insight on how you can navigate your own journey more smoothly. A good mentor can also advise you on areas for personal development, including which valuable skills to acquire to enhance your growth and success.

Finally, it is safe to say that education remains the key to success. However, while education hands you the key, it is your responsibility to decide how to use it once the door is unlocked.

As can be depicted from the story, some people unlock their doors of education and begin the hard work of putting their lives in order, positioning themselves for greater opportunities and success. Others open theirs and assume that everything will automatically fall into place without effort.

Sadly, some unlock their doors but lack the patience or resilience to fix what is broken. When challenges arise, they lose hope  and in extreme cases, some even take their own lives.

It is also important to note that formal education is not the only key to success. Many people who never saw the four walls of a university received a different kind of education, one shaped by experience, mentorship, or self-learning. They, too, unlocked their doors, unpacked their loads, and went on to achieve remarkable success.

Whatever form of education one attains, the goal should be continuous growth; never stop unpacking, learning new skills, and gaining experience. This constant process of self-improvement not only strengthens character but also positions one for greater opportunities in life.

Do you believe that education is the key to success? Please share your views in the comment section.