Student 5.0

Student Profile: Cindy Kirtland

2009-10-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

When a window of opportunity opened up, Cindy Kirtland decided to return to school and enter the Interior Design Program at CPTC. She did not see her age as making a difference, and neither did her peers or instructors. Cindy believes that effort is required in order to reach your dreams, and that the 18 months she spent reaching for hers would have gone by regardless of whether or not she attended school.

Student Profile: Dave Bartle

2009-10-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

After the poor economy negatively affected his previous job, Dave Bartle decided to go back to school as a Plus 50 student. Dave chose the Heating and Air Conditioning Service Technician program because it sounded like the perfect fit for his situation and personality. While pursuing the program degree, Dave accomplished things he never thought he would and discovered that the instructors at CPTC do not want students to fail. Dave's advice to other Plus 50 adults is that life is a learning process, and it is never too late no matter how old you are.

NCWE Conference Presentation

2009-10-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

Clover Park Technical College and Community Colleges of Spokane presented a session over the weekend at the National Council for Workforce Education's annual conference in Seattle. The session, titled 'In Their Own Words: How Plus 50 Students are Reinventing the American Dream,'shared stories of plus 50 students at both institutions.

Presenters were John Walstrum, President of CPTC, Mabel Edmonds, Dean for Workforce Development at CPTC, Joanne Murcar, Dean of Instruction at Community Colleges of Spokane and Brandon Rogers, Advancement/Grants Coordinator.

The presentation can be viewed here.

Student Profile: Kate Penk

2009-10-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

While in the Interior Design Program at CPTC, Kate Penk has learned a lot more than what she expected. She has shed some of her introverted tendencies, has a much easier time speaking in public situations, and has significantly increased her self confidence. For Plus 50 adults who would like to go back to school but are concerned about their age, Kate suggests looking forward and remembering that there is no time like the present.

Student Profile: KyleAnn Gartside

2009-10-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

After working in one field for 38 years, KyleAnn Gartside was surprised with how much she fit in at school, how well she did, and how much she enjoyed it. She feels that attending CPTC has increased her confidence, caused her to be more active, and helped her to take steps towards a brighter future.

Doug Ammons: Librarian

2009-09-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

As a librarian at CPTC, Doug Ammons regularly interacts with students; introducing them to the library resources and answering questions. Doug feels that the most common challenge for Plus 50 students to overcome is a lack of confidence; that their age only affects their ability to learn if they make it.

Student Profile: Laurie Thomas

2009-09-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

Laurie Thomas, who returned to school due to a disability that forced her to change careers, believes that education is never wasted; regardless of how old you are. She pursued the Pharmacy Technician program at CPTC because of her positive experiences with the school and her desire to return to the workforce in a relatively short period of time. Laurie has enjoyed returning to school, and states that her age has not affected her interactions with peers or instructors.

Student Profile: Lori Harris

2009-09-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

Lori Harris chose the Histology program at CPTC because of her interest in science, and because CPTC is the only school in the NorthWest that offers this program. But her interest in Histology is not the only reason why Lori went back to school as a Plus 50 adult; it is largely because she is a lifelong learner who believes that a persons brain is their wealth. When asked why she went back to school, her answer was to "Exercise my brain," which is something she recommends everyone do.

Student Profile: Gil Rembert

2009-09-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

After being retired for eight years, Gil Rembert took Web Design courses at CPTC to upgrade his skills and make his transition back into the workforce a smooth one. Gil chose an encore career because he could not find a hobby that satisfied him, and he does not believe his age will be an issue when he looks for a job. He stated that the instructors at CPTC have helped him succeed in school, and that he will emphasis his strengths in order to overcome any doubts employers may have about his age. Gil recommends going back to school as a means to avoid stagnation.

Student Profile: Sandy Hare

2009-09-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

Sandy Hare recently went back to school and attained a Liberal Arts Degree at a four year institution; something she had always wanted to do. The problem is that the field in which she had planned to enter was not hiring and she didn't have specific job qualifications for another industry. She is now attending the Media Design program at CPTC in order gain technical qualifications. Sandy believes that in order for fellow students her age to be successful, they cannot have a self defeating attitude and that they must have an open mind to learning and doing new things. Sandy also stated that if you can find something you are passionate about, it makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Student Profle: Lynn Stowe

2009-08-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

Lynn Stowe had a great experience with the diverse group of students in the Health Unit Coordinator program; stating that some of the other students made her feel right at home and supported her when she needed it. She explained that while her classmates are diverse in age, they all want good careers that they can be proud of.

Student Profile: Rick Smith

2009-08-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

Rick Smith chose the Manufacturing Technologies program for his worker retraining, and has enjoyed the decision greatly. As a Plus 50 student, he does not feel that his age is a concern, stating that his classes contain people younger and older than himself. Additionally, he found that he is better at school than he thought, and is considering pursuing further training.

Student Profile: Marilee Shanor

2009-08-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

Marilee Shanor attended college in the past, but it wasn't until she attended the Health Unit Coordinator program at CPTC that she realized she really was a smart person. Learning things she enjoyed instead of taking English and Math classes motivated Marilee to work harder, and led her to be more successful than in her past school endeavors. Now she is telling friends and family who also didn't enjoy high school and traditional college to give technical colleges a chance.

Student Profile: Steve Schuler

2009-08-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Steve Schuler found CPTC to be very diverse and pleasant. He states that he took courses with both high school students and plus 60 adults, and that they all got along well. In fact he stated that there was a sense of camaraderie between many of the students in his program. Additionally, Steve was surprised by the fact that he enjoyed school, and believes that you are never too old to go back.

Chris Goodman: Brownfields Job Training Instructor

2009-07-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

After completing the Environmental Sciences & Technologies program at CPTC a couple years ago, Chris Goodman returned as a Brownfields Job Training Instructor. Having been an adult learner himself, Chris believes that instructors can learn a great deal from their Plus 50 students. Additionally, he understands that people learn differently, and makes it a goal to constantly adjust his teaching style to the needs of his audience.

Student Profile: Wendy Lasie

2009-07-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

After being displaced from an industry in which she had worked for 35 years, Wendy Lasie was offered job retraining and decided to attend the Health Unit Coordinator program at CPTC. She chose this program because the health care industry is not under distress, and it only takes two quarters to complete the program. What Wendy discovered is that age does not determine success; how hard you work does. She also feels that attending college, even though it was just for two quarters, made her a better person.

Phil Vendetti: Instructor at CPTC

2009-07-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Phil Vendetti is an instructor at CPTC who has worked in both two and four institutions. Phil believes that two year institutions are of great value to students of all ages, and that they meet the needs of Plus 50 adults especially well. Additionally, he feels that the benefit of Plus 50 students attending two year institutions is mutual, as Plus 50 students add perspective and wisdom to the learning process.

Student Profile: Catherine Antonoff

2009-07-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

After working in the health industry for 35 years, Catherine Antonoff was forced to seek retraining due to an injury she sustained as a nurse. Because she wanted to stay in the health field and enjoys working around people, she decided to enter the health unit coordinator program at CPTC. Being a Plus 50 adult, Catherine initially had the commonplace anxieties about going back to school as an adult, but soon realized her fears were not well grounded. She stated that everyone in the class got along well and helped each other learn, the instructor put forth the neccessary effort to meet each students needs, and that she is impressed with her self and surprised by her ability to learn regardless of her age.

Student Profile: Jodi Mincona

2009-07-02T11:06:00.000-07:00

In a recent blog post I introduced Jodi Mincona, a Plus 50 student at Clover Park Technical College working toward her Associates degree in Environmental Sciences & Technology. Now you can watch a video in which she describes her experiences at CPTC and why she chose Brownfields job training and the Environmental Science program. (this video is also available at greenli.ning.com)

Sharon Freeman: Opportunity Grant Coordinator

2009-06-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

Sharon Freeman, the Opportunity Grant Coordinator at Clover Park Technical College, assists those who are financially disadvantaged in pursuing a college education. In this position, she is able to see the impact that an education has on individuals' lives, including Plus 50 adults. In this video Sharon describes one such transformation, and the resources that helped to make it possible.

Student Profile: Charles McDonald

2009-06-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

After being laid off from his job as a laborer, Charles McDonald decided to go back to school as a Plus 50 adult. In doing so, he was able to pursue interests that he set aside years ago. Charles found Clover Park Technical College to be a good fit, as it allowed him to obtain a degree in Architectural Engineering in two years rather than four. His advice to fellow Plus 50 adults is not to be afraid to go back to school; lots of Baby Boomers are doing it.

Student Profile: Jodi Mincona

2009-06-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

Jodi Mincona, is a Plus 50 student at Clover Park Technical College working toward her Associates in Environmental Science. When she first decided to pursue re-training, Jodi shared the same concerns as many other Plus 50 adults about her ability to succeed after many years away from school. While her experiences thus far have not been without challenges, Jodi has discovered that she is probably a better student now then when she was in high school. If you are interested in learning more about Jodi's experiences on her pathway to a Green Career, a short video interview will be posted soon! (the video will also be available at Greenli.ning.com).

The Best Online Tools for Personal Finance

2009-06-08T09:35:00.001-07:00

You may hear about free tools on the internet that will improve the ease with which you manage your personal finances, but it is hard to decipher which tools are necessary for your personal situation or which websites you can trust. An article in the Wall Street Journal, titled, The Best Online Tools for Personal Finance, gives a couple examples of noteworthy websites in each of the following areas: budgeting your money, creating a financial plan, tracking investments and getting advice, checking for fraud, and keeping track of credit. Even though they are free, there are pros and cons to most of these websites, as author Shelly Banjo explains. She also explains how each of these tools can best be used. This can really be beneficial, as great tools are only great if you know when and how to use them.

Click here to read the article.

Student Profile: Earnest Sanders

2009-06-05T15:58:00.000-07:00

Earnest Sanders is one of many Plus 50 adults who came to Clover Park Technical College looking for the necessary skills for an encore career. Earnest found that the Brownfields Job Training offered the ability to make a comfortable living, make a positive social impact, and change his mindset for the better. Initially apprehensive about returning to school, Earnest soon realized that his life and work experience gave him a real advantage.

Free AARP Webinar on Navigating Job Loss

2009-06-01T16:08:00.000-07:00

If you are unemployed or know someone who is unemployed and can use guidance in creating an effective job-search strategy, managing the job hunt, connecting with others to get support, and coping with the emotional ups and downs of unemployment, keep reading!

The AARP will be offering a free webinar titled, Navigating Your Way Through Job Loss, on June 11, 2009 from 2-3pm EST. Participants can download a free checklist after the webinar; the checklist includes step-by-step tips and resources to help them succeed with their work search in today’s tough job market. The checklist also outlines steps to manage finances and to maintain health during this time of transition.

You do not need to be an AARP member to sign up for this event or to download the checklist. To learn more about the webinar, or to sign up, visit AARP’s Web site.