Confidence = Success

I am currently struggling with a major decision regarding my future educational plans.  My dilemma is simple, do I pursue my M.Ed. in Digital Media, New Literacies, and Learning because it comes with a financial incentive or do I pursue what has been and continues to be my passion, Library Science.  So as I contemplate this decision and the accompanying lifestyle choices the words of Dr. Yong Zhao will be influential.  Dr. Zhao clearly explains throughout the context of the keynote, happiness in self and confidence in ones’ abilities are precursors to success.

This concept of being happy and confident in self is not new.  It has been extolled over generations through the popular, oft quoted refrain, “do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.”  Be happy in what you do, and you will be successful.  I would be inclined to agree with this statement.

At the beginning of my educational journey four years ago I chose to follow a path that was outside the norm for a person of my age.  I opted to not pursue an education degree.  I did not then, nor do I now, want to teach in a primary or secondary school setting.  I would like to teach post-secondary and work with non-traditional learners who have a passion to learn.  In that, I believe I will be successful. 

The authors broach the conclusion “Given the centrality of youth-defined agendas in both of these contexts [friendship-driven/interest-driven], the challenge is to build roles for productive adult participation that respect youth expertise, autonomy, and initiative.” (pg 340 par 2)  I translate “adult participation” into providing educational opportunities.  In other words, based upon the conclusion of the authors, by supporting the interests and competency of the students we will increase their likely hood of success.

While not all youth are created equal, there are some very definite similarities amongst them.  If given the opportunity to explore their own interests, they will explore, they will learn.  Youth continue to “test the limits on forms of new media literacy and expression.” (pg 341, par 3) Youth also continue to test and push the boundaries of society.  They want to explore, learn, and find their way in the world.

As the keynote came to a conclusion, my daughter called.  I told her that I had just watched this speaker talk about being happy in what you do being more important than standardized testing and she said, “Just because you get good grades, doesn’t mean you’ll succeed, you have to be confident in what you do.”  At 24, she is the mother of two, with technical training as a nail professional.  She opted to not pursue higher education.  I asked her if she was happy with the choices she had made in her life regarding her education and her family.  She quickly replied “Of course, I’m terrific and so is my life.”  She is confident in herself and her skills as a wife, mother, and homemaker as well as her profession.  She is a success story.  She also utilizes her IPad to entertain her 2 year old son while he takes breathing treatments, and rewards her 4 year old with game time for cooperating and completing his chores (picking up toys).  I am proud of her and by many standards she is a success story.