Hometown
I grew up in a very rural, low-income farming “town.” I put town in quotes because I lived in the middle of nowhere so my notion of a town is most likely very different than yours. I’d say the majority of people in my town did not place very high importance on academics.
However, I was very lucky that my parents did value the significance of an education. Growing up, I just knew that I’d finish high school then go to college; it never occurred to me that I had any other option. Looking back, I know now that there are a vast amount of options, but continuing my education after high school was a very good choice for me. I absolutely love going back to my hometown, but it is very different from where I live now. In no way am I saying that anyone who gets a higher education degree is automatically more successful than someone who doesn’t, but I’m very glad that I did. I wouldn’t be happy working my hometown grocery store for my adult life; because of academics I was able to move away and start a career.
