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Is the right for education the same as the freedom for education?

I'm a student with tens of thousands of dollars of debt however, I have a passion for volunteering. Unfortunately the ones I can don't allow me to grow and prosper and I'm tired of feeling stifled. #volunteer #career #career-choice #university #psychology# #education #open-mindedness# freedom#life

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stefan’s Answer

Hi Rathini,
I am not sure if I understand your question and therefore I am not sure how to answer. However, your comments that followed are similar to those expressed by my son. You are not alone, many students have school debt and feel underappreciated for career advancement in today’s workplace. Tuition cost have become disproportionate as higher education has become big business (standardized testing, required textbooks, unpaid athletes/high paid coaches, etc.). Look for ways to minimize these costs (online classes, community college for electives, jobs that offer tuition reimbursement, etc.) If you enjoy volunteering, look for job opportunities with a non-profit. Some people get paid for doing the same work as volunteers and there are growth opportunities in large non-profit. You may also consider starting your own non-profit. Either way, have patience and balance: patience to realize that growth and advancement at any job may take time; balance to realize a high paying job does not ensure happiness and passion alone does not provide income. Keep learning and good luck!
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Angelica’s Answer

Greeting Rathini,
I can completely understand having he desire to extend your education and rack up student debt. I just heard statistics of how many people are have mounting student debt in America. I, too have gone back to school and will have a small loans to payback. It can definitely weigh on you. It does beg the question you posed, “Right for Education vs Freedom for Education”. The main thought is making the necessary sacrifices to pursue your dream. My hope for you is to find that perfect profession that you have invested all this time going to school will pay you handsomely. When you have a heart of a volunteer, you always want to help, you’re always sought out because of this willing spirit but you must keep in mind to create the balance. You must balance your life to fulfill all aspects of your life. Honestly, someone will always need help and won’t always know when you need a break or have other things to do. That’s your task to speak up for yourself. Take an evaluation of all the volunteer opportunities you have accepted and choose 1-2 for the year. If you feel that you have accomplished all you can offer rotate to another volunteer opportunity that is special to you. The idea opportunity is finding a job that is in the non-profit area and you become an employee.
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Patricia R’s Answer



Rathini,
In reading both your submitted question and your own comments, they seem to me to be two distinct issues.

One is the difference between the right to an education and the freedom to get it.

The second is your frustration at being in debt with serious student loans vs your passion for volunteering.

First Issue:
As a citizen of Canada, you have the right to an education (as enacted by law) *and* you have the freedom to get it (Provincial schools, supported by taxes, are provided in local neighborhoods for *all* students between the ages of 5 (or 6) and 16 (or 18). School attendance is mandatory, and the government supports grades K-12.)

Some countries have laws on the books for education, but do not have the federal funding to support it, so a child may have the right, but not the freedom. You have both.

Second issue:
Having a passion for something does not necessarily mean you can spend your life doing it 24/7/365. Your first responsibility is to provide for yourself with food, shelter, and clothing – the basic necessities for survival. If you do not have an income, then your survival depends on someone else's hard work, and you become a recipient of someone else's largesse.

A purpose for doing charitable work is to give back to your community more than what you take out of it - at no cost to you or the organization to which you are volunteering.

Yes, I can understand your feeling frustrated and stifled, *BUT* (This may sound somewhat harsh.) Welcome to adulthood....

How you get along is life is less about what happens to you than how you handle your life issues; what your attitude is about those issues.

Where can you find help in figuring out how to deal with your life?

1) Find a good counselor. If you are still in school, most universities have centers to help students deal with a variety of issues: financial problems, emotional problems, career choices, academic support, etc., etc., etc. They will not dissolve your problems; they will help you figure out the best way to solve them. Many towns, villages, and communities have similar resources. (Big and bigger cities definitely have them.)

2) If you are finished with university and are looking for a job, look for one that encourages its employees to do volunteer work in the community or community service. In my opinion, working for a non-profit is a good idea, but remember - that, too, is a job. The volunteering in the community is outside of your salaried job.

Each time I chose to go back to school, I incurred student loans. I went full-time for each degree, had student employment each time, and then worked full time to pay off my debts. I made some unwise financial decisions at times, but I slept in the bed I made. Yes, it was hard. Yes, it felt stifling at times, but I also have an unmatched sense of accomplishment with knowing *what* I did and *how* I did it.

What is facing you may be intimidating and seem unsolvable, but you can do it. It probably will take time to figure it all out, and it definitely will take you more time to pay off your debts than it took to create them. "Easy come, no-easy go."

You can do it.... persevere.
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