An aspirational goal for education through the eyes of Jason Mascarenhas by Jason

An aspirational goal for education through the eyes of Jason Mascarenhas by Jason - September 2025 Scholarship Essay

Over the next decade, I hope to see education evolve to better prepare students for a rapidly changing world — one where careers are being reshaped at a pace we have never seen before. From my own experiences, I’ve realized that education must go beyond memorization and traditional lecture formats, and instead emphasize adaptability, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world application.

One change I would like to see is stronger integration of career readiness and adaptability into curricula. During my accounting internship at Old National Bank, I witnessed firsthand how careers that once seemed stable are undergoing significant upheaval due to automation, artificial intelligence, and evolving regulations. I saw experienced professionals learning new systems alongside interns like myself, highlighting that continuous learning is no longer optional — it is essential. Schools should teach students not only technical skills but also how to continuously re-learn and stay relevant as industries shift.

Second, I believe education should place greater emphasis on interdisciplinary problem-solving. As a consultant in Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations (SCNO), I worked on a project that required blending business strategy with an understanding of global development and community engagement. The most valuable lessons came not from one textbook, but from synthesizing ideas across fields. This taught me that future leaders must be able to connect the dots between data, culture, and ethics — something traditional classrooms often separate too rigidly. Over the next ten years, I hope schools will break down these silos and encourage collaboration across disciplines earlier in a student’s academic journey.

Lastly, education must become more equitable and responsive to students’ diverse circumstances. As a first-generation student with no family background in business, I often had to seek opportunities and resources on my own. Working multiple part-time jobs to help fund my education gave me resilience, but it also revealed gaps in how accessible support networks are. Expanding mentorship programs, financial literacy courses, and resources for underrepresented students could help level the playing field. When students feel supported not only academically but also personally, they are better equipped to thrive in a world of uncertainty.

In ten years, I envision an education system where students graduate not only with knowledge in their fields, but with the adaptability, interdisciplinary skills, and personal support necessary to face the unknown. Change is inevitable — as I have seen in the accounting field and beyond — but by rethinking how we teach and prepare students today, we can ensure they are ready for tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities.