We regularly talk with OU-C students to get their views on relevant topics. This week’s topic involves how students have managed to avoid going stir-crazy with the recent inclement weather laying best-laid plans to waste. As you will read, many students are finding that their academic pursuits and other obligations are keeping them busy enough. Below are what some of the campus’ students had to say.
“I do not have time to get bored,” said Janet Mullins, a Human Services Technology major from Chillicothe who is gaining valuable insights during a practicum with Job & Family Services. “The practicum has been very helpful in learning exactly what I want to do once I graduate. One benefit of the practicum is that I get to work in each of the agency’s five departments. I have had the opportunity to get out in the community and meet people, which could be valuable when I am looking for a job. I am also having the chance to learn how what I am learning in the classroom can be applied on the job. For example, I have seen how intervention strategies work in real-life situations.”
“I have enough classes to keep my busy,” said Jason Atkins, an especially career-focused Bachelor’s of Technical and Applied Studies major from Kingston who graduated from Zane Trace High School. Atkins is becoming expert in the Lean Six Sigma system to business operations. Lean 6 Sigma system awards certificates in a structure similar to the martial arts, and Atkins holds a ‘green belt,’ which is one step below a black belt. “It is a statistics-based approach to improving processes, and the degree I am earning will complement the certificate I already hold.” After graduating from high school, Atkins attended OU-C for five years, and then returned to earn an associate degree in 2001. He returned in the spring of 2009 to pursue his bachelor’s degree. Atkins has been taking classes during period layoffs from work. “I am looking for a career that I really like. Fortunately, I had already completed my associate degree and was able to build upon it. Everything is rolling along just fine right now.”
Tiffany Price, a pre-nursing student who graduated from Chillicothe High School, also resumed her college career as a non-traditional student after taking some classes right out of high school. “The second time around, I have grown up and know what is at stake. I am more focused this time around. I know what I want in life, and I want to have a career where I am doing more than living paycheck-to-paycheck.” Price is currently working as an aide at Adena Health System.
Danielle Sommers, a nursing student from Southeastern High School, is keeping busy with academics, a part-time job and raising 4-year-old twins. “I don’t have time to get bored,” she said. “It gets kind of tough at times. I scheduled my classes before beginning work, and it is kind of hectic right now.” Sommers started college five years after high school graduation. “I am more focused now. I am the first person from my family to go to college, and I want to get a good education and have a good future, especially for my twins. After having a job, adjusting to college has been difficult at times.”
“It feels good to go to school and not worry about work,” said Lee Adams, a Bachelor’s of Specialized Studies major who earned an associate degree in Human Services Technology last spring. Adams began his college journey 16 years after leaving high school. “I was a little apprehensive at first. It helped a great deal to have other non-traditional students around. Actually, classes are going well and I am enjoying college. I am more focused since I am paying for it.” Adams is considering pursuing a master’s degree after earning his bachelor’s degree.
Feel free to enter the conversation by posting your comments to this story.
We regularly talk with OU-C students to get their views on relevant topics. This week’s topic involves how students have managed to avoid going stir-crazy with the recent inclement weather laying best-laid plans to waste. As you will read, many students are finding that their academic pursuits and other obligations are keeping them busy enough. Below are what some of the campus’ students had to say.
“I do not have time to get bored,” said Janet Mullins, a Human Services Technology major from Chillicothe who is gaining valuable insights during a practicum with Job & Family Services. “The practicum has been very helpful in learning exactly what I want to do once I graduate. One benefit of the practicum is that I get to work in each of the agency’s five departments. I have had the opportunity to get out in the community and meet people, which could be valuable when I am looking for a job. I am also having the chance to learn how what I am learning in the classroom can be applied on the job. For example, I have seen how intervention strategies work in real-life situations.”
“I have enough classes to keep my busy,” said Jason Atkins, an especially career-focused Bachelor’s of Technical and Applied Studies major from Kingston who graduated from Zane Trace High School. Atkins is becoming expert in the Lean Six Sigma system to business operations. Lean 6 Sigma system awards certificates in a structure similar to the martial arts, and Atkins holds a ‘green belt,’ which is one step below a black belt. “It is a statistics-based approach to improving processes, and the degree I am earning will complement the certificate I already hold.” After graduating from high school, Atkins attended OU-C for five years, and then returned to earn an associate degree in 2001. He returned in the spring of 2009 to pursue his bachelor’s degree. Atkins has been taking classes during period layoffs from work. “I am looking for a career that I really like. Fortunately, I had already completed my associate degree and was able to build upon it. Everything is rolling along just fine right now.”
Tiffany Price, a pre-nursing student who graduated from Chillicothe High School, also resumed her college career as a non-traditional student after taking some classes right out of high school. “The second time around, I have grown up and know what is at stake. I am more focused this time around. I know what I want in life, and I want to have a career where I am doing more than living paycheck-to-paycheck.” Price is currently working as an aide at Adena Health System.
Danielle Sommers, a nursing student from Southeastern High School, is keeping busy with academics, a part-time job and raising 4-year-old twins. “I don’t have time to get bored,” she said. “It gets kind of tough at times. I scheduled my classes before beginning work, and it is kind of hectic right now.” Sommers started college five years after high school graduation. “I am more focused now. I am the first person from my family to go to college, and I want to get a good education and have a good future, especially for my twins. After having a job, adjusting to college has been difficult at times.”
“It feels good to go to school and not worry about work,” said Lee Adams, a Bachelor’s of Specialized Studies major who earned an associate degree in Human Services Technology last spring. Adams began his college journey 16 years after leaving high school. “I was a little apprehensive at first. It helped a great deal to have other non-traditional students around. Actually, classes are going well and I am enjoying college. I am more focused since I am paying for it.” Adams is considering pursuing a master’s degree after earning his bachelor’s degree.
Feel free to enter the conversation by posting your comments to this story.
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