The Value of an Associate's Degree

"I'm just here to do my generals."

We've been writing and speaking about this statement quite often since the beginning of the 100 Days of Career Exploration campaign.  It's an important conversation to have because what does it really mean to "just do your generals?"  My belief is we're dealing with a fall back statement.  What if we take that statement and raise you one?  What associate's degree are you wanting to complete and what is the value of that degree?  To me, that would boost the stakes so now we're looking at two different pathways.

The first is the transfer road leading to a university and a Bachelor's degree.  The University of Utah is the largest feeder school for Salt Lake Community College students where 59.2% of those who transfer from SLCC go to the UofU.  Some statistics coming from the UofU also indicate the SLCC transfer students tend to be more successful in completing coursework and a degree because of their Associate's degree background.  The value of an Associate's degree for transfer students can save students time and money as long as they are working toward the desired end goal.  This brings in the topic of major and career exploration.  Knowing your major and career path will allow you to take the appropriate classes, obtain the correct Associate's degree, then transfer to a university prepared to continue in your program of study.  For example, a student who wants to go into a Business Bachelor's degree can complete a Business Associate of Science or Art degree at SLCC.  All of their general education and pre-Business courses will be complete and students will be prepared to enter the Business college without worrying about taking classes that were possibly missed.  The value of a transfer Associate's degree not only helps students save time and money before moving on to a university but offers smaller class sizes, flexibility with work schedules, and many of the same opportunities for involvement and research.

The second pathway is an Associate of Applied Science program where students are preparing themselves for the workplace.  The general education requirements only make up about twenty-five percent of their program (fifty percent for transfer AS or AA) and the rest of the requirements give students the knowledge and training to be able to find a job in a specific field.  There are quite a few programs that allow students to get into good paying jobs with a two-year degree as stated in http://www.businessinsider.com/high-paying-jobs-with-associates-degree-2013-12?op=1.  Many of the programs listed on this website are offered at SLCC.  SLCC's Electronics Engineering Tech program offers students a hands on experience where they build computer programs or circuit boards AND those students are being hired by companies such as IM Flash (starting salaries around $54,000 per year), L3, Rocky Mountain Power, and Kennecott.  Many of SLCC's AAS programs have similar job outcomes as companies are seeking highly skilled workers with very specific skill sets.

So which Associate's degree is right for you?  That's where career assessments can help with your exploration process.  Start with TypeFocus and move on to the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (http://www.slcc.edu/academicadvising/career-advising/assessments.aspx).  Follow the MCDS course online, do your research, and decide on your Associate's pathway.  Either way, you'll be fulfilling your "generals" and preparing yourself for some great opportunities ahead!

The Power of GRIT

No, GRIT is not an acronym.  Although, we could change that by saying GRIT means Growth Resilience Initiative and Tenacity.  Or Goals Respect Integrity and Teamwork.  Or Graduating Reeling It Together.  In this case, we're taking the word at its face value.  I just wanted to write in all caps because it is THAT important. Whether you're a genius, super smart, average, or have to work extra hard on school work, if you have grit, you will succeed.  How many CEO's will tell you they were average students?  Why do you think there is a college scholarship for 'B' average students? Because it's not only the grade point average that will determine your success in school and in life. There's more to it.  A small, four-letter word.  G to the R to the I to the T.

When you look back on your life, do you remember some hard times?  How did you push through? What made you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again?  (For those who picked up on that Aaliyah reference, AWESOME!)  It was grit.  Grit helps us, even when things are tough, to spring back up and get back in the race.  If you receive a bad grade?  Grit helps you to study harder or smarter.  Grit pushes you to seek help.  Unsure of a major and career?  Grit helps you use the resources available to you so you can begin that journey into major and career exploration.  Change your mind on a career and want to switch paths?  Grit allows you to explore options and discover more interests.  Check out this video on grit.  Develop your growth mindset and get your GRIT on!

A Judge's Story

As he looked across at the opposing team, his subconscious began looking for a hole in the defense. The quarterback began the count and his muscles tightened in anticipation for the "hike."  The burst of energy that always comes with another play on the football field flowed through his body as he grabbed the ball and ran his route watching for openings.  The linemen were on point that day and as the end zone grew closer, his blood pumped faster and he felt like a cheetah saving his muscles for the final surge of energy needed for those precious six points. As he crossed that final line, the sound of the cheering crowd became clear as though he was rising from underwater grabbing gulps of air. The celebrating lasted for several hours beginning on the field to the locker room to the dorms.  

He shut the door to his dorm room muffling the sound of music coming from the main student area and knew the rest of the crowd would be living it up for quite some time.  But he had a test in his political science class on Monday and needed to study.  He felt confident as he reviewed throughout the semester but this test would determine whether or not he would go to law school.  And that was his goal.  That had ALWAYS been his goal.  His older brother was his inspiration.  By the time he was born, his brother had almost completed high school and was preparing for college.  Growing up on a little island in the South Pacific, college was a goal for only a few people.  And funding it?  That was even more daunting.  His brother moved back home when he first started high school with a wife and two and a half kids. His brother had completed his degree in Business and was working for the government.  He thought about his brother's accomplishments and also wanted to make his family proud.    

When he decided to attend college, his goal was law school.  Period.  Football?  That was for play. Even when he walked on and tried out for the team, sports was always secondary.  He would get homesick and football helped him stay busy and focused.  He was stuck in Missouri and when it snowed, he thought about the warm, tropical breeze of home.  He remembered the sandy beaches and trees full of flowers and food.  Law school was needed because he wanted to live someplace warm, close to home, and maybe later actually move back home.  That was his intention.

He saved his money so he could travel once he completed his Bachelors degree.  He had always wanted to see the world and found a six-week law internship in Greece.  It was an amazing experience and it allowed him to not only study law, but to study another culture.  One so vastly different from his own and yet very similar.  When he traveled home after his trip to Greece, he taught his niece Greek words and some of the culture.  That summer was his respite before beginning the rigors of law school.  His renewed energy from these trips helped him to stay focused.

He saw his brother sitting in the audience as he was sworn in first as a District Court Judge then later as a Circuit Court Judge for the state of Hawaii.  His heart swelled with pride as he was able to acknowledge his family and all of the people who helped him on his journey.  He loved to tell the story of the woman who worked at a bank in Hawaii who helped with his school funding.  Every year he would call her and say, "It's that time!"  She would laugh and tell him, "Don't worry.  We've got you covered."  She was a voice over the phone but he vowed to visit her when he finished law school.  And he did.  After he finished law school and prepared for the bar exam, he went to the bank and asked for the woman.  He had a gift for her.  When she came out, he asked if she remembered the boy who called her every year to ask about money for college.  And he told her thank you.  And they cried.  She, among so many others, were his inspiration, his guides, his cheerleaders.   

Walking along the sandy beach in Hawaii making his way to his canoe, he remembered those days filled with snow, football, homesickness, and his career.  The water was a clear blue and the waves lapped against the shore slowly taking sand out to sea.  He could see the calmness of the ocean and knew the rowing would be smooth.  He could see his teammates up ahead preparing the canoe for the race.  He smiled as he remembered those days on the football field.  He heard someone yell, "Hey, Judge!"  It was a lawyer he worked with in the Prosecutor's office for many years.  He waved then looked out over the Pacific ocean and in his mind, he could see home.  He could see the flowers growing around the house with their vibrant reds, yellows, purples, and pinks. He could smell the gardenia flowers planted right outside the door near his mom's grave.  He saw the mountain behind the house, the waterfalls that would flow during a strong rain, the green of the treetops, the land they called Vaitele.  In a few years his daughter would graduate from high school and attend college. Then he would move home.  It was time to go back.  It was time to give back.  It was time.