Just last night, my nephew called to ask a question about how to write a research paper. As a journalism major and someone who loved my English classes throughout college, I was ready and eager to offer my assistance. As I began my litany of advice, my husband said to me, "Why doesn't he just go on the Internet and look it up?"

Not only did he take the wind out of my sails, he made an important statement about society. With access to the Internet and its infinite data, everybody can be an expert at everything. Or so they think.

It doesn't seem to matter what the subject is or what the task may be, just search for the answer on Google, and you can probably find everything you need to know. Right? Wrong!

I'm not disputing the fact that there is plenty of great information out there and that the Internet has made life easier for all of us. No, I don't miss going to the library to find books on a certain topic or spending hours looking at microfiche for articles to support my position paper.

What I do miss is the appreciation of a person's real life experience, their professional expertise and their unique personal perspective.

Just because you buy the newest graphic design software does not make you a creative genius. Nor does finding information on how to wire a lamp mean you can engineer the electrical system for a large business park.

I know it's not all rocket science, but what we are talking about is removing professional quality from the equation. It also means taking away jobs from those who have worked their entire lives developing expertise in their chosen field – be it a mechanic, a lawyer, a writer or a teacher.

What these people know is more than can ever be learned from the Internet. It is their hard work and their innate abilities that make what they have to offer special. Despite today's economy and everyone's attempt to cut back even at the risk of sacrificing quality, it is important that we remember to value personal experience.

It reminds me of the humorous ad campaign touting the overnight expertise of those who stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. We like these ads because we'd like to think that accomplishing such feats as delivering a baby or helping to avert a nuclear disaster is possible just by staying at a certain hotel.

Funny but not realistic.

Kind of like telling my nephew that writing a research paper is as easy as looking up the steps on the Internet. I prefer the old-fashioned way: calling on an expert for help.