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I’m not sure how many people know this, but I haven’t always lived in North Carolina. In fact, I lived in Alaska before we moved here. I was 16, and to say I was upset about moving here is an understatement. However, one of the things my mom told me was that North Carolina was known for having an amazing college/university system.
I was two years from graduating high school, so that was truly something to look forward to. She was right! I spent my entire college career in the public college system, and it’s enriched my life so much. I also work for my local community college, Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. My education literally led me to my job that has completely changed my life. The North Carolina public education system can also change your life! Most jobs require post-secondary education, either training from a community college or a 4-year degree from a college or university.
Today, I want to share a valuable resource for anyone starting or furthering their college career. Higher Ed Works has resources that can help you. North Carolina has so many education opportunities, whether you are looking for a technical program at a community college or want to complete your bachelor’s degree at a university. The opportunities are endless, no matter where you live in the state. North Carolina is one of three states to have a unique constitutional mandate that requires that North Carolina General Assembly provide citizens with affordable higher education. Our constitution reads; “The General Assembly shall provide that the benefits of the University of North Carolina and other public institutions of higher education, as far as practicable, be extended to the people of the State free of expense.”
I have three tips to help you starting or furthering your college career.
Job Shadow
A lot of students don’t realize this, but job shadowing is a very valuable tool when you are planning your career. It’s really important to experience the job you want. I can’t tell you how many students get into a program and then change their mind because it wasn’t what they expected. Doing a job shadow is a really great way to have a hands-on experience that will let you know if that particular job is for you or not.
Don’t be Afraid to Branch Out
One thing that I would change about my college career is to branch out to another part of the state. From the mountains to the coast and every rural area in between, there are literally college opportunities everywhere. Don’t be afraid to branch out and go to a college that isn’t in your area. Of course, it can be intimidating to branch out; however, experiencing new locations and new areas of the state will add so much to your college experience.
Plan a Few Semesters Ahead
Once you’ve decided on your career path and chosen your college or university, it’s time to get planning. Colleges will have a plan ready for your degree, but it’s very, very helpful to at least plan your semesters in your own notes. When I was completing my degree at my community college, I would go over my plan at the end of every semester to make sure I was on track to graduate. You can also double check your program to make sure you’ll graduate when you want. There were a few semesters that I added another class so I could graduate early. Doing that over a few semesters was not a burden, and it got me completed a little early.
Thanks for reading my tips! Now you can connect with Higher Ed Works on Twitter. It’s chock full of resources to help understand the NC higher-ed experience and why it’s special!
Rebecca has been writing about style, beauty, and lifestyle topics since 2011. Thank you so much for reading this post! Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. I love hearing from you!
