The Importance of Why

Melissa Heikes - Career Development
Manager
Kaplan University

Have you ever wanted to have some of that naiveté that comes with being young again? My son is two. This ages me a little but that is fine. He has recently started asking questions. I am sure he has learned this new talent through his new friends at daycare. He always asks "Where mommy going?" ...or daddy, or Herky the cat, or baby... all of this depends on the last person he sees. You can just walk out of his line of sight and the question flies.

The next question is "Why?" I can tell you that it sounds so cute and sweet until you hear that question after everything that is said. But there is some truth to the importance of the question of "Why?"

Examples:

Mommy -                                                                                             Calvin -

"We need to change your diaper."                                                       "Why?"

"It's time to go night-night."                                                                 "Why?"

"Don't hit your sister."                                                                         "Why?"

"Turn down the iPad, please."                                                              "Why?"...and so on.

There is a true importance to the word why.  That three letter little word tells us so much information. If the information is not received, the question can be asked numerous times until the information needed is received. So, how can we use why to our advantage?

Recently, my boss has had our team asking "Why?" to gain more information from the students we are working with to help each individual determine why they are making the decisions they make. If the student wants to work in corrections, we need to determine why they want to. We need to dig deeper.

You are probably wondering why this applies to you.... Being a young professional working in this market, there are so many things you can learn from others. With a group like New View and other networking opportunities, there is a great opportunity for you to get valuable information from your peers.

You may ask, "Why network?" There are numerous reasons to network: meet new people, learn about job opportunities, make friends, socialize, and hear about successes of others, and so on. When meeting new people through these networking opportunities you can find out more information. For example, if you are curious about certain companies, you can search out a New View member and ask them "why do you like your job?" If you want to know about the job they do because you are curious, again, why works.

This small little word can tell us so much. Try it sometime and you'd be surprised. Why...? You'll soon find out!