You might be completing your first year at Pierce College. Some of you might have just completed your associates. Some students may even be completing just their first quarter. Regardless, you should find this segment helpful.
Pierce College gives you the opportunity to earn your two-year degree. However, there are several four-year degrees being offered at Pierce College today. Dr. Paul R. Gerhardt who runs the Bachelors of Applied Science in Business Management (BAS-ABM) program at Pierce College, has some advice moving forward.
When asked about the implications of earning your four-year degree at Pierce as opposed to benefits, Dr. Gerhardt had no shortcoming of potential positive outcomes for this choice.
“Personally, you are a number at most universities,” Dr. Gerhardt claims, “Your professor at the university may not know who are you and may not even care about you as much as a community college professor… who wants to make a difference in the lives of students.”
University classes can be up to 300 students, making it harder for you to receive more personalized help from your professor. Dr. Gerhardt has made it his mission to help his students.
Consider the financial implications. Not only is community college a more viable financial option, Pierce College is competitive in tuition costs among other community colleges. Furthermore, your education at Pierce is a far cry from the money you may invest at most prestigious level universities. Public university will outweigh community college costs, and both are trumped by private university tuition and fees.
Begin Working?
Some of you, regardless of your progress on your academic journey, may be seeking employment.
“Community colleges frequently collaborate with local businesses…” states Dr. Gerhardt, “This can result in programs that are tailored to the demands of the job market, increasing graduates’ employability upon completion of their degree or certificate.”
Diana Baker, MAEd, is the manager at Jobs & Career Connections and provides helpful information for those seeking employment. One way to connect with your local businesses is through job fairs.
“Job Fairs,” says Baker, “are a critical tool for job seekers.”
Baker ensures that Pierce College would like for you to succeed, especially within the college realm itself as they will invite plenty of local businesses that accept Pierce graduates. You may attend the Job Fair on May 21st at Fort Steilacoom’s campus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or opt for Puyallup’s campus on May 23rd from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as well.
This is an amazing opportunity for a gap year, which is a popular choice in students in community college in general.
Baker adds her thoughts to the concept, “Taking a gap year is a very personal choice. At Pierce College, we offer many options students to be able to gain workplace skills early while also attending courses.”
With that in mind, students must know who they are and understand themselves on a deep level.
“We are all different,” claims Dr. Gerhardt, “I know that taking a year off often leads to taking many unexpected years off.”
TRIO also offers programs connections to four year universities, contact [email protected]. Whatever your choice may be, Pierce College is ultimately supportive of it.
Dr. Paul R. Gerhardt – Business, Management, Marketing professor and Applied Business Program Chair, Pierce College.
Diana Baker, MAEd – Jobs & Career Connections Manager & Worker Retaining Manager, Pierce College.
Going to a 4-Year University?
Explore your options at Central Washington University (CWU) and their Pierce County extension. Business, Sociology and IT Cybersecurity students will find themselves at home at CWU’s dedicated site at the Olympic building on the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom campus. For those who want the true university experience, know that there are plenty of justified pros that support your decision.
Campus Pride One of the most polarizing differences is the campus life and student unity. It is much easier to have a more spontaneous lifestyle and meet new people as opposed to community college.
Assessible Information Many universities are highly esteemed as dream schools for millions of aspiring students, and you might already know what you are looking for when thinking of your university of choice.
Additional Sports Programs University level sports gives you more spotlight, competition and opportunity to play for scholarships as well as look for professional play after higher education.
Potential Scholarship Opportunities There are additional majors and, therefore, more scholarship opportunities to earn.
