My mom turned to me this morning from her hospital bed and said, "Thank goodness for college educations. Thank goodness all these people went to school." I nodded in agreement. She had completed her last surgery in a series of three to finally conclude a gall bladder ordeal that began the week before Christmas. It has been a rough two months, but having her on the mend and feeling so much better has been a blessing to our family.

I looked around the room and calculated about 60 years of post graduate schooling. An incredible accomplishment for each, on a singular level, and even more impressive when you think about the combined efforts of each RN, BSN, Nurse Practitioner, Anesthesiologist, and Physician / Surgeon that hustled in and out of recovery. I was indeed thankful, given the level of care my mother has received throughout this whole ordeal. For someone whose last surgical procedure was in 1946 for an appendectomy, submitting to the testing, prodding, and necessary procedures was difficult. Level of care can mean everything.

I always felt a certain pride when recruitng for healthcare professionals. It is one of the most rewarding and difficult areas of recruitment there is. Our firm provided direct recruitment on retainer to hospital and health care organizations. The healthcare sysytem where my mother had her surgeries performed was one of the finest and having had experience with the Human Resource departments, knowing the hospital's reputation eased much anxiety. My sister, who lives near my mom, works in health care currently and "knowing our stuff" was an obvious blessing. I really cannot say enough or be grateful enough.

While some professions, such as medicine, require extendive schooling, others require an entrpreneurial mind and the extreme desire and work ethic to succeed. Four of the most intelligent men I have met in my life never went to college. One didn't even graduate from high school. So, smarts are not predicated by extended education. But.., is it possible TODAY to really succeed without a college education listed on your resume?  It most assuredly depends upon your interests and desired career as to whether or not college is required.

One of the things I always wanted my children to do was graduate college before they got married or started a family. I had waited to finish mine and it was extremely difficult. I cannot imagine managing a family, a full-time job and attending college concurrently. I did it, but I didn't want that for them. With one daughter enrolled in grad school and another working toward her Bachelor's degree, I am fascinated by the challenges they face and the work they put into their futures. As my oldest contemplates Notre Dame or Indiana University for her doctorate, I am consistently amazed by the will power and stamina required to complete such an education.  Thanks to all those who did!

by rayannethorn