Day 93 - The biggest challenge facing colleges

A new report states that "connecting" is the key challenge facing today's colleges, especially community colleges, where as many faculty members teach on a part-time basis as the students who attend.

The "part timeness" of students and faculty members is a very real problem all colleges are facing in trying to create strong campus connections, according to this year's Community College Survey of Student Engagement.

Students who enroll part-time are less engaged than their full-time peers, and they are much more likely to drop out of college. The likelihood is highest at the community colleges, where close to two-thirds of students attend part time.

I started my own back-to-school adventure as a part-timer, and an over-the-hill one at that. So, I know first-hand how difficult it is to feel connected when you're juggling a job and classes. Add family responsibilities to the mix and it's no wonder less than half of those who go back to school actually finish their degrees. Going to school part-time is more feasible, however. It is the option that may make attaining a degree possible. The real key is learning how to act "full time" when you're only on campus part of the time.

To master the trick, start by planning your course schedule all the way to graduation at the beginning. Don't think, "Oh, I'll just take a class and see how it goes." That is not making a commitment, and committing is necessary to success.

Several articles in recent academic publications offer encouragement and specific strategies colleges and universities can use to improve student engagement. That's great. We need all the help we can get. In the end, however, it is up to the student to make the effort. All too often, I watched non-traditional classmates sit at the back of a classroom, aiming to be as unobtrusive as possible. The second the class ends, they race to their cars. Many never participate in class discussions or outside study groups. I get that. The first time I raised my hand to make a simple comment in a classroom after nearly 30 years away, well yes, it was weird. And then I got over it. I did this by actively engaging with other students (after class and during breaks), by fully "owning" my student status.

The more I got to know my classmates and staff and faculty across the campus, the more I realized that I was no different from any of them. We are all here for the same reasons - to learn and to teach. Student peers have offered me the best advice through my recent college career. Actively participating in campus events did the rest by allowing me to feel like part of the community. It mattered. It may be the intangible ingredient that helped keep me on track by focusing on the real goal - not a single class but rather the entire experience of being a student - again.

If you also have a desire to pursue your education further, take Nike's advice and "Just Do It." Part time or full, you'll learn things you never knew about yourself.
Comments?

Day 53 - Career advice for job seekers (of all ages)

...Another gorgeous day in Murray, KY.

Today, I attended Murray State University's Fall Career Fair. As a non-traditional student, I admit that I almost talked myself out of this one. Thankfully, I gathered my courage and went ahead. It's one case where being older did feel intimidating - to me. I assumed I would be the only student in my age range at the event - and I was not wrong. But my thinking was all wrong, since my age was a completely unimportant issue. I also worried the exhibitors might be interested in only talking to undergrads seeking entry level careers. I was wrong again. Despite my initial misgivings, I made some valuable connections. Lesson learned: Attend any event that garners you professional exposure and networking opportunities.

Employers are looking for talent, knowledge and self-confidence - in every instance. Regardless of your age or experience - whether you are a grad student or undergrad, 20-something or 40-something, seasoned professional or neophyte - you can benefit by making a trial run at an event like a job expo or career fair. It's a terrific opportunity to network, get a refresher for writing your best resume or practice interview techniques. The recruiters at these events are there to provide you with information. It's their job!

MSU's career day was well attended by both students and potential employers. In just over an hour, I found six companies and spoke with representatives. I chose to leave resumes with three of the potentials. That may sound like a small number to some, but keep in mind that I am purposely being picky about my unique situation. (For any fellow students who attended the MSU event, note that it is also a good idea to follow up with thank you notes or emails to the people you met with. Hint. Hint.)

Since we've established a theme here, I've also included some suggestions of websites to assist in the search for potential employers (or careers). There are so many sites online now! If you're not job hunting at the moment, you probably know someone who is. Feel free to share the post.

Sites for Employment and Career Assistance:

1. Career Info Net (http://www.careerinfonet.org) This site helps you to explore career opportunities and to make informed employment and education choices. The website features user-friendly occupation and industry information, salary data, career videos, education resources, self-assessment tools, career exploration assistance, and other resources.
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov). Is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government as it relates to economics and statistics. Type in any career or job title on this site and you can learn everything about that job including the nature of the work, educational requirements, training, advancement and other qualifications, employment, job outlook, projections, earnings and other related careers. This is a great tool to use to learn if the type of career you are interested in really offers a strong future.
3. Projections Central (http://www.projectionscentral.com/default.aspx) This site gives projections of occupational employment growth for all States and the nation as a whole. Individuals can use these projections to help them make informed career decisions. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among States. It also allows projected employment growth among occupations to be compared within one State.
4. Career Voyages (http://www.careervoyages.gov/about-main.cfm) This web site is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to provide information on in-demand occupations along with the skills and education needed to attain those jobs.

No matter what route you take when selecting potential employers, consider your personality, skills, likes and dislikes. Talk to people who work at the company you are interested in and get an idea of what the work day is like. Research company websites and explore all the other opportunities. Be honest with yourself about what is important to you. If making a lot of money is important, then look for a job with growth potential.

Educate yourself. I can't stress this enough. If you have chosen a career that does not make you happy, then change it! I am here specifically to share the myriad benefits of going back to school. If college is too daunting a prospect, then enroll in a weekend seminar or take a local adult ed class. There is no downside to increasing your knowledge and expertise.

Consider this saying, "A bend in the road is not the end of the road—unless you fail to make the turn." Let me assure you that making a few turns in your career path is not only likely, but perfectly acceptable.

Day 46 - Is writing my passion?

Just thinking about writing for a living reminds me of how I feel when I'm not making money (like now) - guilty, guilty, guilty as charged. To try and earn a living from your passion in life can be like the proverbial double- edged sword. What on earth am I doing? (I sometimes ask.) How could I have ruined such a good thing ... or how might this have played out had I only followed my father's advice and become a lawyer (yikes) or stuck with that first editorial job at the publishing house, or stayed in Los Angeles, or moved back to New York?

I could have continued to write as a hobby on the side, just as I enjoyed acting in community theater - strictly for fun. Surely, had I done any of those things, the result would have been a spectacular midlife crisis, a major meltdown, and I would still end up right here, right now, doing exactly what I should be doing, which is completing grad school and getting what I need to become a teacher.

Perhaps I am simply less of a writer that I must worry about the whims of the marketplace compared to those free-spirited individuals guided by their pure passion for producing beautiful words and images. I find myself attracted more and more to the unencumbered vision of the amateurs. There is purity there. It is undeniable. It is being a "beginner" again. I have been reinvented through my journey as a student the second time around and it has allowed for a brand new understanding. We might all benefit from going back to being "just beginners" for awhile.

It's maintaining the freshness that is the real trick. Is it still possible to reach back and touch the purity once you are deep in the game of commerce? Perhaps by asking the question, I have just answered it.

Anyone with a computer can claim to be a writer. To actually earn a living producing words or copy that comes from the heart is a very different story. Yes, it's true that I worked as a writer/editor, copywriter/producer, marketing director for more than 25 years, but in those "jobs" and for all those years, I never felt like a writer. I never felt I was doing anything that mattered. Pursing my advanced degree has been the ultimate gift. It allowed me to regain my fresh perspective. It's as if I re-learned those old life lessons but got them right this time. Because of my combined experiences, good and bad, I became a far better student, and I daresay, a better human being.

I am beginning to feel like a writer. The blank page no longer frightens me. I am ready to find communication solutions, to help educate a new generation, to put all that I've learned to work in some (as yet unknown but definitely bold) new way.

Zen philosophy tells us that we are all exactly where we are supposed to be. I tend to agree. What about you? Are you where you should be? What's your passion?

Day 17 - Tilting at windmills

What a day! Sure, I was thinking yesterday that I might be having a little bit of a slump, but that was nothing compared to the black hole that has sucked me in. My graduate research is still winning the fight. As per usual, I awoke early, worked out and jumped on the computer eager to create something fascinating. I stayed there 'til about noon just following up on requests from my ex-employer. No problem.

At 1:00 pm, I headed to campus for a meeting with my graduate advisor. No problem...That is, until I found out my research project proposal is not complete as I had believed. The horror! (Stop... take a deep breath.) OK, of course, I can handle revising that proposal. No problem.

Next, I headed to the library for some much anticipated help in navigating the university library databases. Surprise number two - the librarian was was out sick for the day. (This is when I start to backslide.) Still determined, I parked myself at a computer terminal and began the search for journal articles on my topic - for at least the 100th time. No problem. Three hours and 45 minutes later, I dragged myself out of the library with exactly one article saved on a flash drive, and the feeling that I will never, ever be able to figure this out. My butt has been sufficiently kicked.

Now, my mother didn't nickname me "Little Mary Sunshine" for nothing. I'm very much working on the whole positive thinking thing - but really! There are times when an assignment just becomes incredibly frustrating. The challenges do have a way of piling up on you. Tonight, for instance, when I went to print out the article I found - my printer ran out of toner. Now, all I can do is laugh, because clearly, it's time to stop for the day.

There is so much information out there and I want to learn it all as fast as I possibly can. As with everything in life, I know that I need to relax, take another deep breath and back the truck up. One bite at a time. I'll go back to the library tomorrow, and surely, the right person will be there. I'll take my first quiz next Thursday and I'll do just fine. And, 12 short weeks from now, I'll look back on this post and smile. I am determined. Even more important, I am happy knowing exactly how blessed to be here.

A chance to meet new friends
This evening, I attended a reception for the Murray State Women's Society at Oakhurst, the MSU President's home. This is a local group open to faculty, staff, students and all Murray residents, anyone interested in sharing interests with other women. After a day filled with frustration, it was nice to share some laughs with a group of lively, intelligent women. The society offers clubs and activities to match most interests - from crafts to cooking, books and games to a supper club. I hope to join them for a couple of the monthly gatherings. I am once again genuinely impressed with the people of MSU and the Murray community...for they are closely intertwined. The Women's Society was just what I needed tonight.

That all-important second wind
Slump be gone! No matter how tough the assignment or daunting this new technology appears, I am learning by leaps and bounds. I hate to sound cliche but going back to school later in life has given me a new lease. Being surrounded by 20-somethings and knowing that I, like them, am a "student," is wonderful. I recommend anyone who can go back to school later in life, do so, even if only to take a single class online or at a local community college. These days, you can find thousands of courses to choose from on a variety of subjects. Have you thought about it for you?

Wherever you are, whatever you feel, remember your goal and ask yourself the question: “Now what needs to be done?”

I'll answer the question for myself in the morning.

Peace out.