Adult Students

A number of enrolled GCC students, both full and part time, are adult students who are returning to further their education or earn a degree to benefit their future career path.

Returning to school at age 38

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I was nervous about starting Genesee Community College. As an adult I felt that I was a little out of place. I figured the students would make fun of me because I’m old enough to be their parent. I have grown a lot because of my experience returning to school as an adult.

Returning to school had me a little frightened due to not knowing how much academic work was expected of me. When I went to college the first time I didn’t have to study that hard because I was able to retain a lot of information without writing anything down. I didn’t know what to expect 20 years later. Half of the time I can’t remember my own husband’s name. How was I going to retain class lectures plus homework information?

Now that I’ve been at Genesee Community College for a year, I’ve learned that I’m smarter than I thought. The kids in my class like me and some admire me. I’ve learned that there are many different ways for me to study. The method that works for me is using flash cards as well as taking notes during class. I often set aside time on the weekends to study the flash cards or read ahead to have all the weeks reading assignments completed or at least attempted. These techniques have helped me assimilate to being a college student. These methods have also helped in my acquiring Dean’s List status every semester so far.

To conclude, the experiences that I’ve learned here at GCC as an adult student has prepared me to further my education. One thing that would help this school be more marketable to adult students is separate areas for 25 and older to hang out. Sometimes it’s frustrating sitting in the student union with younger students and not knowing where I fit in. If there was a designated area for adults than at least we could feel a sense of belonging.

– Yolanda Ransom

Insights from Adult Students – Donna Williams

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“When I was laid off in November 2012, the last thing I had considered was going back to school. At 56, I felt that I was too old and unprepared for the demands of a college degree.  After speaking to my daughter (who is also a student) I realized that going back to school was the best way to update my skills and make myself competitive in today’s job market.  Being a machinist for over 30 years has taken a physical toll on me and without a degree I have been unable to secure a supervisor role that pays a livable wage.  I finally decided to enroll and devote myself to earning an A.A.S. in Business Administration. Soon I realized that there were others at GCC just like me. They shared the same fears and the same doubts. All of the staff has been very helpful in helping me through this difficult time. This semester I had the pleasure of being in Mr. Dudkowski’s Advertising class. He inspired me to write this blog about my experience here at GCC. One of my classmates, Robin, is also older and returning to school to advance her career. She is busy not only with school, but also building a house, her artwork and tending to her small farm. If we can do it anybody can! Now that I am in school I am hearing about other careers that I can apply for after I earn my degree and I am hearing about them from teachers who have real-world experience in those positions. The teachers at GCC bring their own experiences to the classroom.  It is not about just teaching us what is in the textbooks.  I am in my third semester and I am proud to say that I am earning A’s. I am on track to graduate in December of 2014 and I have come to learn that going to college is not just for younger students anymore. Thank you GCC for helping me to realize my full potential!”

Donna has 2 children, Michelle. who is GCC’s PTK president, and a son who lives 2 hours away with his wife and Donna’s 2 awesome grandchildren. Kenneth is soon to be 16 and Samantha is 8. Her time is devoted to her education and family, for they are the backbone of everything she does.

Insights from Adult Students – Robin Alexander

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“At the age of 56 I have chosen to return to school to further my education.  Having worked for a company for almost 20 years as a color specialist and doing other various jobs and getting laid off, the choice for schooling seemed like a natural fit.

Not always making the right choices in my life this opportunity was one not to ignore for me.  I am trying to get a degree in digital art.  Having done art since I was a little girl will help and one should feel you’re never too old.

I have also developed some wonderful friendships.  My instructor Mr. D. is trying to push me out of my comfort zone and urging me to make use of the social media that all students have access to.  This is very hard for me; I am a very private person.

With the help of a classmate Donna, she has helped to get me acquainted with social media.  Donna has been an inspiration for me also.  We both have so much in common and want careers when finished.  To enjoy what our chosen fields would be.  Being an adult student seems natural for returning to school. I am now more settled and focused to achieve my goals.”

Armed with a Degree and a Smile…the Job Hunt Begins.

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The final countdown.  With just over two weeks left in the semester students are racing to complete projects and cramming for final exams. For those who are graduating, resumes are being fine tuned, references gathered, and ears are to the pavement on any and all job leads.  It’s an exciting and nervous time as two years of training culminates in a triumphant entry into the workforce.  For some this is the first real job they have ever had, for others it represents some sort of career change.  Young graduates can’t help but pick up on to the dismal tone of the older generation, when it comes to job prospects. They have to be worried they will be among the statistics of unemployed graduates, or will they stand out in the sea of job seekers?  I would love to advise you on the tips and tricks for landing your dream job, but as a person who has been on both sides of the hiring table…there are few hard and fast rules. I have never had a good answer to the question “Where do you see yourself in five years?”  I just learned that they do not want to hear the ever ambitious, “I’m want to have your job.” I have always fallen into the trap of “Tell me your strengths and weaknesses.” It seems interviewers have not appreciated by philosophical approach of “My strengths are my weakness and my weaknesses are my strengths” It doesn’t matter if it’s true that my sense of humor both helps and hinders me, and therefore is both a stench and weakness.  It seemed when I was on a hiring committee similar anecdotal answers were not well received.  For example a lady answered that she would give kids cookies for a snack at her last job, and since that was not allowed at the school we worked for…she was out. Another lady was not hired because she “looked like she wouldn’t want to get dirty.” Looking too nice for the job interview seems an odd arbitrary consideration, but this is often the case.  The problem is every company is looking for something different, and it nearly impossible to predict what qualities they want in an employee.  Certainly you can mold your personality to fit the expectation…but will the job be the right fit for you in that case? The older I get, the more I wonder if being yourself, and finding a job that truly respects all your candid answers,  is mission impossible.  However, imagine the job satisfaction you could have if you found that one perfect fit.  When they seek all your weaknesses as strengths, and have respect for your goal of getting their job in five years. If you can find that one job that knows exactly who you are and love you for it…then it will make all the hard work worthwhile. Good luck! Happy hunting.

Resume Writing: Winners of the Resume Contest

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Depending on the job you’re applying for, there are many different ways to write your resume. The two basic formats are chronological ( organize most recent history first) and functional (organize to highlight skills and accomplishments). Creating a resume and trying to figure out how to put it together may be difficult, however; you can build off your resume for the rest of your life. It’s important to have a resume to show off and exploit all of your skills. A few resume writing tips include:

Resume Do’s                                            Resume Don’ts

1 page                                                     No “I”

to the point                                              bad grammar/typos

designed with a focus                              photo of yourself

action verbs

include strong skills

Everyone likes to brag about themselves and a resume is a great way to do just that. Things you would include in your resume are education, work experience, special skills, and volunteer work. You could also include responsibilities/requirements of previous jobs, hobbies, and your career objective.

This years 2nd annual resume Contest’s first place prize was an I-pad. Second place prize was a $50 gift card and third place prize was a $30 gift card. This year the three judges were, John McGowan Career Services Coordinator, Cindy Carpenter Verizon Wireless Recruiter, and Jim Bucki Director of Information Technology. The competition was tough, and the resumes were excellent. However, only three could win:

1st Place- Ashley Rickets (I-Pad)

2nd Place- Sarah Testa ($50 Gift Card)

3rd Place- James Draper ($30 Gift Card)

If anyone needs help with their resumes or have any questions, contact John McGowan at (585) 343-0055  x6383 or jmmcgowan@genesee.edu Mr. McGowan provides helpful services to assist students in preparing for their futures.

Mr. McGowan working hard in his office

Mr. McGowan working hard in his office

 

Our Perfectly Imperfect World

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“Equality is not in regarding different things similarly, equality is in regarding different things differently.” Tom Robbins. In our age of political correctness we have the tendency to overcompensate in the name of equality.  We stifle our own  preferences, turn a blind eye to differences, and make one size fits all solution to every problem.  In the interest of being fair we have stopped treating  people as individuals. It certainly seems like no harm can come from passing laws with the good intention of making things fair for everyone. The problem is, you cannot rid the world of hate and inequality by passing laws. All you succeed in doing is making it invisible.

 

The government seems intent on passing more laws. Tougher gun laws will certainly stop crime. Problem being, criminals do not follow the law, so more likely the result will be less law abiding citizens with guns. Our nation is unhealthy and overweight. so, the government responds with  heavy taxes on cigarettes and tax penalties, for going without health insurance. Surely hitting people in their wallet will encourage  them to do the “right” thing. There is no chance its just going to succeed in making the poor people poorer. Our nation is in a war against obesity, so they try to pass laws to ban happy meal toys and super-sized fries and drinks. Clearly Americans need the governments intervention in order to  make good choices.  

 

Lois Lowry creates a world where it is considered impolite to point out peoples differences, in her young adult novel, “The Giver”.  The book shows the benefits and sacrifices of a world of “sameness.”  The government makes all the choices for the residents, to be certain no one makes a mistake. What is left is a Utopian society without crime, acclimate weather, or even pain. Even the people all look the same, because differences in color have been eliminated.  Granted, this is with the good intention of ending discrimination, but it seems a  few steps too far. This book portrays a possible future if we continue to allow the government to limit our freedom of choice, under the guise of doing whats best for us.

 

 I’m not saying that the concept of a world without hunger and disease, natural disasters, and hate, isn’t worth striving for. But I am saying it is simply not possible to legislate morality. I may think its bad to smoke, eat fast food, and own guns, but that doesn’t mean I want to infringe upon other peoples rights. Further, I am not willing to trade my freedom of choice for someone else’s idea of right and wrong. Maybe you could care less about these issues, but the next rights that the government wants to infringe on might be something that is important to you.

 

The point is, there is not a one sized fits all answer to our problems. Complex problems require complex solutions. I think instead of trying to solve the world by looking around, we look within. Instead of trying to change everybody else, work on changing yourself. Don’t look at the fast food on your neighbors plate, and judge…look at your own, and be thankful there is something on it. Don’t look with jealously on the good fortunes of others; I’m sure, you honestly wouldn’t want to take it away. Know that fate smiles on us all at different times, in different ways, and soon you will see the gifts you have been bestowed. Soon, you will realize you do not want the same life as everyone else. You want a life as rare and wonderful as the person in charge of it…YOU.

Death, Marriage, and Taxes.

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As a GCC blogger, I have the daunting task of choosing a topic on which to blog. Often times I stare at the blank screen and its blinking courser with dread, as my shoulders feel the weight of my luxurious burden.  So, what should I write about today? Death, Marriage, Taxes? Clearly I like to stick to the classics.  An internal chuckle is felt when as think of the similarities of these options from my topic pool.  As a woman who has been married for nearly 18 years, I can testify that there is a mourning and loss associated with the giant leap into holy matrimony. Amidst the obvious euphoria associated with finding the person who completes you, there is a part of yourself that is forever changed. The supposed finality of it all is somewhat frightening. The words “till death do you part.” feel pretty ominous. Who among us can really comprehend “forever?” The concept of death is even more abstract, and depending on your views, it’s grasp on us extends beyond forever into eternity. If there is one thing more dreaded then death (and public speaking) that would probably be taxes.  The government’s yearly invasion of our privacy, and in many cases our wallets, is fast approaching. Death and Taxes are universally thought of as the great equalizer, as they are unavoidable. Consider also, the ceremonies that surround these three life events.  We have the receiving line at the wedding, the funeral procession, and on tax day the line around the block at the post office.

At least marriage is done at the participant’s option, at least, for those of us who have that option. I for one see no need to discriminate in regard to whom is allowed to marry. The way I see it, they have just as much right to be miserable, as anybody else. The tax consequences of marriage, divorce and death are just as mind boggling as the events themselves. As a tax preparer, I relish in the joy of explaining to newly-weds that they cannot file as single anymore, and the several thousand dollar refund they each once received, will now be split between them.  Then the haunting tax consequences of lingering spouses that re-enter your life at tax time, claiming the children that you were suppose to claim. The glorious act of marriage that you thought was combining two souls into one, comes with it baggage in the form of low credit scores and IRS debt. I read that modern youth are getting wise to the importance of these factors when choosing a mate. The 60’s mantra of “what’s your sign” has been replaced with “what’s your credit score.”  When you marry someone you marry their entire family, and end up with all the joy and heartache that comes along with that. You will need a huge walk in closet to house the bulk of you and your spouse’s skeletons.  For all intents and purpose Marriage should be entered into with more preparation, trepidation, and seriousness than both death and taxes.  With that I wish you all a healthy and happy tax day, (April 15th) and I wish my husband a happy anniversary. (Also April 15th)

Self Defeating Ideology- The Pitfalls and Remedies of Common College Personalities

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The Perfectionist-Procrastinator– “I cannot be the best- so why try?” Ironic as it seems, a perfectionist desire to be perfect makes them their own worst enemy.  They are more likely to do nothing, then risk failing. This personality type procrastinates the starting of projects until the final hour and often turn things in late or not at all. They make up excuses like, “I work better under pressure”.  They have trouble getting started on an assignment due to a feeling of being inadequate.

Remedy- Start the assignment immediately after it is assigned, before there is time for self doubt to creep in.  If you start early, chances are you will finish early as well.  Once you experience the freedom of the project no longer hanging over your head, you will be motivated to change your procrastinating ways.  Trust enough in your ability that you will not fail, while accepting the fact that failing is okay.  That concept isn’t an easy one to accept, and seems contradictory at first.  If you understand that learning is a process, you will be more accepting if the highs and lows. The only real failure – is failure to try.

The Crammer-Hoper “I hope the class is cancelled.”  “I hope the teacher grades on a curve.” In the minutes before the test this typical college personality frantically grabs a text book and proceeds to dump and cram as much information as their brain will hold. Bits of knowledge races around in their head bumping into each other. Their head literally explodes and test answers fall through the art like snowflakes…melting before they reach the test.   Realizing these efforts were in vain, they rely on their ability to BS the way through the test, as they have done in the past. Then the promises come, “Next time I will study more.” Of course, The next test is just a repeat of this same vicious cycle.

Remedy- Cramming has never been an effective way to study; it does little more than elevate your blood pressure. Further, a reliance on hope or BS will not get you very far in life, as both can run out. Study to learn the information- not for the test.  Long ago, someone came up with the brilliant ideas that knowledge must be tested, to be certain that it is possessed. This inevitably shifted the focus from gaining the education, to passing the test. This could be a fatal mistake in a person’s educational pursuits. Think about it, do you want the doctor that squeaked by with passing grades, or the one who had such a thirst and passion for the subject that they absorbed every bit of knowledge, and sought out more? You are only cheating yourself (and future clients) by taking your opportunity to be educated for granted.

The Low Self Esteem-Excuse Maker– “Everyone who gets good grades, is just smarter than I am.”  “I can’t learn this!”  “I do not have time to study.”  If this typical college personality spent half as much time studying, as they do making excuses for why they didn’t, then they would be one of the “smart” people they complain about.

Remedy- Be smart enough to study. You are capable of learning anything that you put your mind to. Learn some study techniques. (I wrote a blog about it.) Avoid distractions like Face book, You tube, and Twitter. These waste time, and although you can claim you are multi-tasking but you are really just dragging your feet. Take responsibility for your own actions and do not compare yourself to those around you. You are not in a competition against them Your job is to be the best you, that you can be.

Almost makes you look forward to the Zombie Apocalypse

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Ok, so Zombies are the hip new thing with you young people. My daughter drags my lifeless corpse to the comedy movie “Warm Bodies”, and I came alive!  This quaint story of a young zombie that falls in love with a human girl, is laugh out loud funny! Get ready to fall in love with a new kind of monster movie. These are definitely not your father’s zombie movies! With my recent Netflix subscription I have also been introduced to the AMC show about the Zombie apocalypse. “The Walking Dead” centers on a Sheriff who is shot and is unconscious when the zombies take over the planet destroying most of mankind. He wakes up and goes looking for his wife and son who had been rescued by his friend and co-worker. The Sherriff realizes his family left in a hurry, and wanders in a dazed state, doomed for certain death at the teeth of a “walker”. He’s rescued and brought up to speed by a man and his son whom are hankered down in an abandoned house.   After making an agreement to stay in contact, the two part ways, and the Sherriff looks for his family. He goes to the city to find shelter, only to find it has been taken over by zombies. The Sherriff comes to a “dead end” when zombies trap him inside an abandoned Army Tank. He is contacted on the CB by a young Korean man who, after insulting his intellect, helps him escape. The sheriff joins a motley crew of survivors, who are not pleased that he has now put all their lives in peril.  Quickly he earns the respect of the group by handcuffing the racist redneck bully of the group to a pipe. He launches an escape plan that involves smearing themselves with zombie guts. (How cool it that?) The group makes their way back to camp, where the Sherriff is reunited with his wife and son.  They were still in the care of his co-worker, whom had left him for dead, and now was in a secret relationship with his wife.  The Walking Dead may not be the most original premise for a series, but it is extremely well written and the effects are spectacular!  I jump out of my seat from the action and the suspense is enough that my legs shake uncontrollably. (Yes, my family looks at me like I’m insane.) This is my family’s new addiction. I recommend it to anyone who liked Lost, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Roswell, or anything cool and zombie-like.

Don’t just pursue happiness, Own it!

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It is hard to believe we are half way through February of 2013 already.  So far I give 2013 two thumbs up. New Years is naturally a time to simultaneously time reflect on the past and look with renewed hope to the future.  2012 for me it was one of triumph through struggles. It seems that “life happens”: it never puts itself on hold while you complete you’re to do list. It is tempting to turn around and run for the hills, when an obstacle appears between us and our goals. Most of us put off our dreams until later. We imagine that someday there will be we will have more time or less challenges. The fact is we will never have the ideal time that we envision. We even often put off being happy until some unspecified date in the future. Usually there is a specific goal that needs to be obtained for the happiness to be realized. I will be happy if I get my dream job, lose 20 pounds, and get an A on the test. It is great to set goals, or resolutions for change, and even better to work towards them. The destructive behavior is to put conditions on happiness. When you place a condition on happiness, you are choosing not to be happy with the person you are now. The truth is this moment is all we will ever have,  and they slip away in the blink of an eye. Happiness is not some mysterious white night on a horse to be waited for. It is not this unobtainable prize placed just out of reach. Happiness is already inside each of us, if we choose to recognize and bask in it glow. When I was younger and more cynical about life I would often  think that people who seemed very happy all the time must be of below average intellect. How can they see all the horrors of the world and walk around with a dumb smile on their face. Really, that was me: Age 18. I was a riot at parties. Of course, in reality many of the happiest people are also the smartest. I further thought that if someone were happy all the time, they must have a perfect life. Then I worked with a woman who by all accounts had the most turmoil-ridden, poverty-stricken, abused life…and she made me laugh until it hurt. She was ten years older than I was and she taught me how to be a kid for the first time.  I can’t say for certain that she was truly happy, or she was a clown to hide the pain. What I do know is happiness can be thought of as a learned behavior. It takes practice, and a certain amount of “faking it” until you make it might be in order. Start by squashing the negative thoughts about yourself and life in general as soon as they enter your brain. Choose to hang around with people who put a positive spin on life. I know it seems like fun to gather round and commiserate with your co-workers, classmates, and family about the evils in the world, but it’s not a healthy behavior. It just feeds the negativity, until there is nothing left but to wallow in your own misery. That does not mean you will never be unhappy. “If you were happy every day of your life, you wouldn’t be a human being. You’d be a game show host.” (Heathers)  I’m just saying realize this: Your life is not as bad as you think. If you can learn to smile through the tears when life isn’t going your way, then when things do work out the joy will be untarnished. Again, if you do not “own” your happiness, then you will be too paralyzed with fear of something going wrong, to really enjoy happy times. Most unhappiness is caused by fear of the unknown. If you are ready to be happy come hell or high-water, then you will not have your blissful moments spoiled by uncertainty. I write this as much as a reminder for myself, as I do for the readers. To all of you who are in pursuit of your happiness in 2013. I hope you catch it!