Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is a potential 2016 Republican presidential candidate but may not be allowed to run due to the fact that he has yet to graduate from college. According to TIME, Walker left Marquette University during his senior year in order to take a job with the American Red Cross.

Walker says he wasn’t in college simply to get an education, but to get a job. Seeing how he was offered a job during his senior year, leaving probably seemed like the best option at the time.

Many of us would probably look at Walker and think he must be crazy for not just finishing out his last year at Marquette. However, I think plenty of people going to school during that time probably would’ve made the same decision. While a college education was extremely valuable in the past as well, there is an entirely different emphasis placed on receiving a bachelor’s now.

The issue of not being able to run for president simply because you don’t have a college diploma strikes me as a little strange. I think there are plenty of people who have graduated from college who I would absolutely not vote for, so why should we eliminate someone for the sole fact that they made what seemed like a good decision for their career at the time? I understand the importance of having an education when it comes to running a country, but it’s not like we’re talking about someone who was dismissed from their university.

I think Walker is an inspiring individual because, despite the fact that he is under such criticism for not completing college, he is still standing strong. He has even helped develop a “flex option” at the University of Wisconsin that allows adults to complete their college education. Walker says he may begin to finish his degree within the next few years. If he is able to so, he may regain his stance in the presidential election for 2016.

So why is this relevant to us? Besides the fact that the 2016 election will be the first for many of us to register to vote for, Walker’s story is one that we can apply throughout our careers. Simply because you didn’t have the best GPA, the most experience, or changed your major 4 times doesn’t mean you can’t become who you want to. Many of us are placed under constant pressure to be the best in everything we do. We should all know, however, that while we value education it does not define us.

Have the best summer, Purdue.