Complete your degree for fun and profit!

By Michael Corby
FCCJ Media Relations Coordinator
Jan. 27, 2008

Sandra Shines belonged to the U.S. Navy for eight years. She trained as an electronics technician, to Navy-specific standards. After separating from the Navy, her knowledge landed her work in I.T. and telecommunications for 12 or 13 years. In 2006 her employer downsized. Sandra found herself unemployed.

“It seemed that ten years ago, if you could spell ‘I.T.’ you could be employed,” she said, only half-jokingly. She was pretty shocked to learn that with 18 years of experience, she had no luck finding anything in the field.

Shines grimly recalls filling out online job applications and always cringing when she got to the “education” section. Aside from random courses she had taken beginning in 1982, it was blank. Her applications yielded nothing. She suspected the new reality was that “the environment has changed. You need an education to progress. Without it, it’s hard to get your foot in the door.”

Shines decided it was time to “wrap it up,” and is now enrolled in Florida Community College’s Computer Engineering Technology program. She completed her Associate in Arts degree in December 2007 (“it was time to wrap that up too”) and is now working on her Associate in Applied Science degree, specializing in Networking and Internet Security. Her ultimate goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Computer Technology from FCCJ when the new program is offered.

Shines is among those who went from finding themselves unemployed to, happily, finding themselves. She enjoys what she’s learning, enjoys the challenges and looks forward to finishing her A.A.S. degree and getting back on the career track in a new direction. What worked for her is the advice she’d give to prospective students: “Just make a decision and make it happen. Complete your education as soon as possible.”

Not everyone is able to voluntarily leave a job to attend school full-time and work part-time—and hopefully won’t be forced into that situation. There are workable options for those who want or need a change in direction. Professor Cheryl A. Schmidt teaches the class Shines and 23 others are enrolled in, ranging from recent high-school graduates to baby-boomers such as Bob Allen who graduated from Florida Junior College when Richard Nixon was president—the first time. He has a lifetime of work experience, including 25 years on IBM mainframes and databases. Schmidt has taught thousands of others.

“One thing that people don't realize about going to school is that you can do it one class at a time,” said Schmidt. “With just a few classes in this program, some people can get a job on a helpdesk or as a computer support person. They can continue taking classes to get a higher paying job in networking. We have students come back to us regularly, looking for that next class that will lead to their next promotion.”

“One of my favorite things about being a teacher is seeing my students succeed—and then seeing them come back to us later for more success in their lives,” Schmidt said.

The thought of returning to college or starting for the first time can be intimidating for adults who fear feeling out of place in a sea of twenty-somethings, or worried about how to study and perform on tests; even more so if they’re uncertain what path to take.

Here’s a simple solution: Florida Community College is hosting a College-wide Open House on Feb. 7, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the FCCJ Advanced Technology Center at 401 W. State St. The Open House will provide a chance to learn about every aspect of enrolling in College courses, from admissions and financial aid, to assessing interests and skills and all other steps in choosing the right path. With more than 200 programs and certifications, FCCJ advisers can help prospective students in choosing a career path or enhancing skills in their present careers. For more information call 904.646.2300.