Learning without a College Course

Is it possible to gain knowledge and be intelligent without a college course?
Marie Anne Salozar, 34, shares her success story as an entrepreneur, as she took some part-time accounting course in the past, “I did not come from a rich family. I did struggle to finish high school, but some of my relatives have been giving me things to do around their house so I can somehow earn and save. I was always inspired by people who never got a college degree but went on to become successful in their lives. For instance, Woody Allen. I love his films and when I found out that he never got a college degree, I knew then that life isn’t always about formal education. I was just realistic with my situation, but I made sure to take some basic accounting courses and would always go to seminars and workshops when I can. Since I like selling, I later on went to marketing — and for years, corporate work fed me and my siblings. When I saved enough, I opened a small business where I sell second hand books. And while I am not a billionaire, I consider this a success story because I started with nothing. And I want to tell people that it is possible to rise above poverty if you just learn to work hard.”
Indeed, formal education is not the sole determinant of success in life. Andy Velasco, 60, also shares the same view, “I admire people who were fortunate to get high degrees and all. I think that is their destiny: to earn a title. And I think it is an achievement in itself. I have senior citizen friends who are lawyers, teachers, engineers, PhD holders — and I think that is really admirable. However, not everyone can be like them. We play different roles in this world. And I happen to be a college dropout who went into farming organic products. Sometimes, learning means experiencing things for years. So, yes, I believe that education happens even outside the classroom.”
Professor Nick, a sociologist, also believes that everyone can be great without a college education. “I don’t need to even show you massive research about this because I am pretty sure you know someone in your life — a family member, a relative, a friend, a co-worker even — who has been very successful in life even when he or she never got a college diploma. We excel in different areas. There are athletes who became famous around the world but never even graduated in high school — celebrities we look up to who opted to focus on their craft; politicians even who serve the public. I mean, I know people who were self-taught. Who read and did practice for years and became very great individuals.”
“I think, personally, that formal education, is very overrated,” said Miles, 29. “My parents were both undergraduates and yet they became successful people. They had decent jobs, a house, a car, and they were able to raise us 3 children. I have nothing against college holders, but I believe that there are intelligent people who never needed to go in school. Too cool for school, as some would say. As long as you earn the legitimate way, and you continue to learn more about your job — then that is enough.”