Introduction
Happiness has been discussed and analyzed by many scholars in the past. The majority of the researchers view education as involving formal learning that leads to certification. However, informal education also influences the way people interact and live and should be considered in the definition of happiness. Human beings have to learn different things, such as how to eat, stand, and talk.
This essay will adopt a more robust definition of education that includes both formal and informal learning. The pursuit of happiness through education results in changes in income and labor status, which enhance self-confidence and psychological well-being.
Income Status
One of the purposes of engaging in education is to achieve certification that allows people to earn higher incomes. Research has shown that higher education levels usually mean a higher probability of employment in most countries (Chen 118). Happiness also increases as individuals earn more income, which is influenced by their education level. A marginal increase in income levels can result in a rise in happiness. This shows that income status is an important aspect when considering how the pursuit of happiness through education affects individuals.
The evolution of technology means that people can now access online courses from the comfort of their homes. This has resulted in more people achieving higher income status as education is readily available. Countries that provide better incomes to their citizens have reported higher happiness levels. Money is essential as it helps people to actualize their plans and desires. Parents encourage their children to get certifications that will ensure they earn better wages (Chen 119). This indicates that higher salaries represent opportunities for people to achieve happiness.
The job market assigns people their income using the certifications they have and their experience. In most organizations, promotions can be achieved by gaining higher levels of education. The majority of people who are already working go back to school to enhance their chances of earning higher salaries. This means that a higher income is an important predictor of happiness for many people. For people in marginalized communities, higher incomes can ease their burdens, which can result in increased happiness (Cuñado and Garcia 186). Therefore, the pursuit of education results in a higher income status, which enhances happiness.
Work Status
Having a job increases happiness through feelings of self-achievement and satisfaction. Organizations recruit employees based on whether they will be capable of meeting the company’s objectives and goals. One of the capabilities is the level of education and skill set that the individual possesses. This shows that work status at most firms is dependent on the certifications people hold. Higher-paying jobs require employees to have diverse education certificates and experience (Chen 119). This means that individuals seeking such occupations will have to pursue education at the highest level. In developed countries, the need to be in the top positions is not as high as in developing countries. However, being in higher positions may not equate to happiness if the job results in increased stress and anxiety.
The state of happiness is dependent on the status of the job an individual possesses. The purpose of work is also another factor that can determine happiness. Social trends such as employee wellness and working from home have also impacted work status. Organizations have to adjust to new trends, which can affect the happiness of employees. The pursuit of education to achieve a better work status may result in higher levels of happiness (Cuñado and Garcia 186). However, this can be impacted by the status of the job, as some individuals may experience challenges while working that may reduce their happiness levels. This means that a better work status may enhance happiness for most people but may not maintain high levels of happiness. Consequently, seeking happiness through education leads to improved career status.
Self-Confidence
Self-confidence is a state of being that represents the belief that an individual can achieve success in any activity. The pursuit of happiness through education can enhance an individual’s self-confidence. Learning increases the feeling of self-achievement and contributes to a person’s happiness levels (Mohanty 44). Education also enhances the wages and status of the job, which are factors that increase happiness. Individuals earning high salaries are more likely to have increased self-confidence. Organizations will prefer employees who are self-confident, as they are capable of providing quality work. This shows that pursuing higher education levels can provide an individual with self-confidence, which is an indicator of happiness.
The job status of an individual can also reflect their level of confidence as organizations will recruit self-confident individuals in important positions. The need to hire self-assured people is due to the nature of most workplaces. The advances in technology have ensured that people can access education through online platforms. This has increased the number of people pursuing education as it has become easier to learn a new skill.
The evolution of education from traditional classrooms to online classrooms has also increased opportunities for working-class individuals to further their education (O’Brien 229). The use of online teaching is changing the dynamics in the education sector. Individuals in the current era have a higher probability of attaining more skills using the available technology. Therefore, the evolution of technology and education has enhanced people’s ability to attain more certifications, which has increased their self-confidence and happiness.
Psychological Well-Being
The pursuit of education in the current era has evolved as new technology has emerged. The availability of online classes has created opportunities for people to advance their skills and achieve better wages and work status. The pursuit of happiness through education enhances the psychological well-being of an individual (Lyubomirsky et al. 365). This occurs when a person achieves a better wage and work status.
Marginal increases in the income levels of a person can also contribute to feelings of satisfaction, which can enhance the happiness of an individual. As a result of their improved monetary status, individuals achieve an improved state of psychological well-being. This allows people to connect, which increases their levels of happiness. Therefore, the pursuit of happiness through education directly enhances the psychological well-being of an individual.
Conclusion
In summary, pursuing happiness through education results in a high income and better job status, which enhance the self-confidence and psychological well-being of an individual. Higher education directly contributes to better job placement and, in turn, enhances income and work status. Acquiring additional certifications can also improve a person’s well-being, which is an essential aspect of happiness. The advances in technology and the evolution of education have also enabled more people to access learning opportunities. Social trends such as working from home have also helped increase interest in education. Therefore, higher education levels can be attributed to increased happiness levels.
Works Cited
Chen, Wan-chi. “How education enhances happiness: Comparison of mediating factors in four East Asian countries.” Social indicators research, vol. 106, 2012, pp. 117-131. Web.
Cuñado, Juncal, and Fernando Pérez De Gracia. “Does education affect happiness? Evidence for Spain.” Social indicators research, vol. 108, 2012, pp. 185-196. Web.
Lyubomirsky, Sonja, Chris Tkach, and M. Robin DiMatteo. “What are the differences between happiness and self-esteem.” Social indicators research, vol. 78, 2006, pp. 363-404. Web.
Mohanty, Madhu S. “Religiosity, schooling, and happiness: A case for supplementing traditional schooling with value education.” Indian Economic Review, vol. 2015, pp. 43-77.
O’Brien, Catherine. “Happiness and sustainability together at last! Sustainable happiness.” Canadian Journal of Education, vol. 36, no. 4, 2013, pp. 228-256.