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Graduating high school is a remarkable achievement every student should be proud of. It’s a time to celebrate and commend your hard work to gain your diploma. Yet, high school graduation can also be stressful for many students. The decision to pursue a college degree, a skilled trade, join the military, or go straight into the workforce can be intimidating. Financial barriers can create uncomfortable situations for students who don’t have the support needed to accomplish their goals. Classes, training, books, living arrangements, and transportation costs can add up very quickly. This can be especially true when considering a university degree or even a skilled trade. Despite the commonality of these financial stressors, students should not have to feel the pressure of not being able to afford the pursuit of a higher education or trade.

The world comes alive and allows us to live day and night thanks to the power of electricity. Since Thomas Edison invented the electric lightbulb in 1879, our lives have been transformed and propelled forward through the electric currents that flow through the nation. Imagine the consequences of something as seemingly minor as a two or three-day blackout. Without the ability to refrigerate our food, communicate through technology or use transportation safely, a city is left at a huge and dangerous disadvantage.

Readily available water and energy means we have the ability and time to accomplish tasks more easily than ever before. However, as convenient as this is, the waste created through daily activities can quickly get out of hand if not managed properly. Unnecessary energy waste has proven to be expensive and damaging to the environment, which can be off putting to clients. Additionally, shifting views surrounding sustainability and the financial savings that come with energy efficiency have encouraged small businesses and large corporations alike to be more responsible with their resources. Everything from adjusting the AC to reducing the energy used after hours can save companies thousands of dollars each year. Energy management gives organizations an advantage by implementing conservation and efficiency strategies to reduce waste as much as possible. 

Water and energy share a unique connection. Creating energy requires water for dams, extracting fossil fuels, and cooling in thermal processes. On the other hand, gaining access to water through extraction, treatment, and distribution to the region’s population requires abundant energy. You can’t have one without the other. Jobs related to energy and water, therefore, become essential. 

The city and the countryside offer distinct freedoms. In one, you have access to services nearly 24/7. You can order food to your door at three in the morning and hop on a ten-minute bus ride to your job. The other allows you free range to roam. You have room to grow and harvest food. There’s less pollution and more land. Each allows for a unique lifestyle that will seem more appealing depending on personal preferences and goals. As a society, Americans tend to think of the two as opposites that never see eye to eye. However, as different as they seem, they rely on each other and are much more connected than you might think.

Wealth can be described as the possessions, goods, and liberties that provide a person with a good quality of life. The more wealth a person has, the higher quality of life they can enjoy. When we think of modern wealth, we automatically picture lavish lifestyles, fancy cars, and large beautiful houses. But in reality, the well-being of a community is more complex than material goods. Wealth, security, and innovation go hand in hand. Modern energy has catapulted this aspect of our lives to new heights, uncovering new avenues for our societies to flourish. 

War has been a part of humanity since the beginning of civilization. We fight wars over water, land, spices, resources, and most importantly, energy. However, people often don’t pay much attention to where their energy comes from. They don’t see that its influence and contribution to war and national security are incredibly significant and impact everyone’s daily lives.