You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may

Host: The room is filled with the quiet murmur of voices from outside, the distant hum of the world moving at its usual pace. The late afternoon light filters through the window, casting a soft, golden glow that fills the space with a sense of calm. Jack and Jeeny sit across from each other, the weight of the conversation hanging between them, but there’s a quiet anticipation in the air — a question waiting to be answered.

Jack: “Tom Brokaw said, ‘You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of it as your ticket to change the world.’” He repeats the words slowly, almost as if weighing them. “It sounds inspiring, doesn’t it? But then again, it feels like a lot of pressure. I mean, who am I to think that my degree is my ticket to change the world? Isn’t it just supposed to be a tool for a job, a career, a life that’s comfortable?” He shifts slightly in his seat, a bit uneasy. “What does it really mean to change the world?”

Jeeny: “I get what you’re saying. It feels like a lot to live up to, doesn’t it? But maybe that’s the point. Brokaw’s asking us to see our education not just as a means to a job, but as a tool to create something bigger than ourselves.” Her voice is steady, thoughtful, as she leans in just a little. “A degree is a privilege, but it’s also a responsibility. It gives you the skills and knowledge to make a difference, not just for your own life, but for the lives of others.” She smiles softly, passion lighting her eyes. “We’re all taught that a degree is our passport to a better life. What if we started thinking of it as a ticket to change the world?”

Jack: He runs a hand through his hair, clearly grappling with the shift in perspective. “It sounds noble, but I don’t know… It’s hard to see it like that when everything around us is so focused on the individual — getting ahead, securing a good job, living the ‘good life.’ The world doesn’t always reward the idealistic stuff, Jeeny. Sometimes it feels like you’re just trying to survive, and even that is hard enough.” His voice is tentative, his words carrying a quiet frustration that speaks of unspoken doubts. “How do you change the world when you’re barely keeping your head above water?”

Jeeny: “I hear you. It’s hard to think beyond our own immediate needs, especially when everything feels uncertain.” Her voice softens, but there’s a quiet strength in her tone. “But maybe that’s where we start — with the belief that education gives us the tools to do more than just survive. It gives us the ability to make a difference, to solve problems, to help others. It’s not just about comfort; it’s about seeing the opportunity in what we’ve been given and choosing to use it for something greater.” She pauses, her gaze steady. “We don’t have to change the world all at once. It’s about finding your place, finding where your education intersects with what the world needs — and taking action.”

Jack: He takes a deep breath, the tension in his shoulders softening slightly, as if he’s beginning to reconsider his initial resistance. “I get it now. It’s about seeing the bigger picture. It’s not just about climbing the ladder for the sake of it. It’s about using what we’ve learned to contribute, to make a meaningful impact.” He nods, as if the shift in understanding is just beginning to settle in. “But where do you start? How do you turn something like a degree into a real change?”

Jeeny: “Start with what you care about. What problems are you passionate about solving? What gaps do you see in the world that your skills can fill?” Her voice is calm but filled with an almost tangible conviction. “Changing the world doesn’t always mean doing something grand or revolutionary. Sometimes, it’s the small changes — the way you interact with people, the way you use your skills to help a community, the way you inspire others to think differently.” She pauses, her smile softening. “You don’t have to do it alone, either. Every degree, every skill we learn, it connects us to a larger network. We all have the ability to contribute to something bigger than ourselves, even if it starts with one small step.”

Jack: “I see what you mean. Maybe it’s about shifting the way we think about our education, not just as a means to get ahead, but as a means to give something back.” He leans back, the realization settling in, and for the first time, he looks less uncertain and more determined. “I guess it’s about seeing opportunity in the things we’ve been taught, instead of just seeing them as tools for success. And that changes everything.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. When you start to see your education as a responsibility, it changes the way you approach life. It’s not just about personal gain, but about how you can use what you’ve learned to make things better, even in small ways.” She smiles, her expression soft with something akin to hope. “And that’s when the world starts to change — when people realize the power they have to shape it.”

Host: The room feels different now, the air filled with a quiet optimism. The idea that education isn’t just a pathway to personal success, but a tool to make a real difference, has settled between them like a quiet truth. Jack and Jeeny sit side by side, no longer burdened by the weight of uncertainty, but energized by the possibility that their education is more than just a means to an end. It is a way to create and contribute, to change the world, no matter how small the first steps may be. The world outside may still feel as uncertain as ever, but inside, there is a shared belief that change is possible — and it starts with the choices we make today.