“Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome.” –Anonymous
Learning involves acquiring new skills, ideas, knowledge and then the ability to put them into use. The aspect of mastering implies a theoretical grasp of the meaning or the essence of what is studied.
What you can do with what you know involves a practical application of the theoretical knowledge in solving concrete human problems. Both knowing and doing are intertwined.The two can be described as both descriptive and prescriptive dimensions of knowledge.
If you have acquired or are acquiring knowledge in a field, there should be some way you can put into practice what you have learned. Practical application of knowledge could come in the form of building, designing an artifact, or some new methods or efficient and effective ways of solving existing problems. If what is known cannot be translated into what works in practice – a kind of pragmatism, then something substantial is lacking in your knowledge.
When you put into practice what you learn in school, then you gain deeper insights into how what you know can be effectively applied in practice. It could lead to a deeper insight into the fact that not all theoretical ideas are workable. While theory always explains and informs practice, practice validates, or instantiates a theory. For instance, a new product built following some kernel theories is a significant “proof of concept” and a specific instantiation that proves the utility of such theoretical knowledge. Most revolutionary inventions came about when practice challenged theoretical knowledge.
For our education to impact positively on our present society, we must think of ways we can apply our knowledge in solving concrete life problems.
It is not productive to think that your field of study has nothing to contribute to solving human problems. If, for instance, you studied Agriculture but don’t love farming, then you should ask yourself why you ever enrolled or obtained a degree in that field. I have always encouraged students to pursue courses in their field of interest. However, if you find yourself in a different field due to admission issues, develop an interest in that field and be passionate about it. Don’t allow friends or family to discourage you. Thomas Edison, the great American inventor, was considered a dull student incapable of academic pursuit by his teachers, but faith in himself, and his mother who never gave up on him, saw him a great man. Many great researchers and inventors never had an initial interest in their field until they began to be interested in the emergent ideas in that field. If as a student, you switch off your mind from the course you are admitted into from day one because you don’t like it, it would be better for you to drop the admission than to waste useful years of productive life.
Many are unproductive today because they graduate from school hoping solely of becoming an employee in some industry or organization. While getting a job is not out of place, many do not think of how they can creatively apply their knowledge in creating jobs for others by solving real life problems. Education enkindles and inspires creativity and that is why you should leverage your education to make useful inputs in life. One thoughtful idea from you can bring about a phenomenal change or contribution to knowledge and human practices. There is a need to challenge certain practices by offering new insights on how they could be done more effectively. We need not all be inventors but our education should place us in a better position to be more creative, offer alternative solutions, and live more responsibly.
Do we still value internships and industrial training? The aim of teaching practice, apostolic work, optional practice teaching, curriculum practice training, and internships is to expose the student to gain new insights through practice in industry or an organizational environment. Such opportunity enables the student to put into practice the theoretical knowledge acquired in class and affords the student the opportunity to question organizational practices and to suggest improved ways of realizing the goal. Frequently, people think because something has been done in a certain way for years, there could not be a better way of doing it. We are often resistant to change even when it provides answers to age-long problems. The internship should be an opportunity to dismantle such naive beliefs that cripple organizational productivity.
If your school does not provide you with such opportunities to gain some practical insight into your field of study, place yourself somewhere, during holidays, to learn from those who have been working in the field, or make extra research online to update yourself. Many industries and organizations are willing to accept interns because interns are cheap labor for them. Do not worry about the pay. That shouldn’t be a priority. Do not forget that we learn by doing. So whatever opportunity you have to practice what you have learned in school, grab it, and make the best use of it.
Many today live on the skills they acquired while in school. They become self-employed through their skills. Don’t sit down and waste your time searching for a job endlessly . Acquire a skill while in school or out of school. If the government does not provide work, you can be your own boss and earn a living through your skills.
