South Jersey Magazine - Marlton / Medford

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SJM College PlaybookDEPT_1026_V2_Dept 10 / 27 / 26 12 : 28 PM Page 1 E D U C A T I O N E tiple times or realize halfway through college that it’s something they’d like to attend at a later time . No Single Way “ It’s perfectly normal not to have everything figured out before entering college , ” says Madeline Levy , director of career and academic success initia - to Succeed tives at Rutgers University – Camden . “ College is a time for discovery and he path from high school to a career From dual enrollment growth . The goal is to make an used to seem straightforward . You and community informed next decision , not necessarily T graduate from high school , attend a four - a decision that locks you into one year university , earn a degree and enter the work - college to internships direction forever . The Career Advance - force . And for many students , this remains the case . and flexible degree ment Center at Rutgers – Camden fields But some of today’s South Jersey students are programs , South these kinds of questions all the time , taking a different approach , building their educa - Jersey students have and we help students navigate their tion around their individual goals , circumstances more than one way to choices through assessments , career and career interests . turn education into coaching and experiential learning . ” For some students , the college experience starts their future careers . Karen Archambault , senior vice while they are still enrolled in high school . With dual president of enrollment management enrollment , students can take college courses and By Giana Scafide and student success at Rowan College earn credits before graduating . Depending on the at Burlington County , offers similar student’s goals and program , these credits can help reduce the number of courses needed advice to students who are still consid - later on and potentially shorten the time and cost of earning a degree . ering their options . “ There are plenty of students who will start as full - time college students right out of “ While college or any other educa - high school , ” says Rory McElwee , Rowan’s vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of tional journey is a major step , they university college . “ However , we have many students who are doing dual enrollment or don’t need to be able to map their early college experiences during high school so that they can graduate with [ as much as ] entire future in order to take the first an associate degree . ” steps , ” she says . “ Many successful A four - year university isn’t always the starting point for a bachelor’s degree . That’s people changed their minds about where community and state colleges provide another entry point , allowing students to their pathway even after they were on complete coursework or an associate degree before transferring to a university . it . At the community college , we pride “ Choosing a community college isn’t about settling for less — it’s about recognizing that ourselves on being a part of the opportunity can take many forms and that the right career pathway is the one that helps journey and recognize that we are able you reach your goals , ” says Dr . Lovell Pugh - Bassett , president of Camden County College . to offer not only a low - cost option but “ We thrive on the opportunity to not only help our students navigate their journey , but to a highly flexible one , so that students allow their needs to refine how we serve them . ” can adjust as their paths change . ” Some students arrive on campus with a career path set in mind , while others are still For those students who are unsure figuring out what they want to pursue . This uncertainty is a common part of the college about a particular career , getting a experience , with some students choosing to remain undecided , change their majors mul - SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume23 issue 8 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 46 |

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SJM College PlaybookDEPT_1026_V2_Dept 10 / 27 / 26 12 : 28 PM Page 2 industry partners , understanding glimpse of the day - to - day reality can be nical certifications can give students just as valuable as choosing a degree pro - alternative ways to build skills without emerging opportunities and ensuring gram . having to follow the traditional se quence that our students are developing skills “ I encourage students to explore , ” of general education courses followed by that have value beyond the classroom , ” continues Levy . “ Talk to people working a major . Pugh - Bassett says . “ We don’t simply want in fields that interest you , job shadow “ Many of our programs are career - students to earn a credential — we want when possible , attend college open focused , including programs in health sci - that credential to mean something to the houses and ask questions about acad - ences , technology , arts and more , ” says student , to an employer and to the com - emic programs , financial aid , support Archambault . “ In addition , we offer exten - munity . ” services and career opportunities . You sive dual enrollment programs with more The many options available today can don’t have to know your ultimate career than 30 high school partners as well as make the college decision more compli - goal to take a meaningful first step . ” support for homeschool students looking cated , but they also make it possible for Stockton University also makes career for college options . We also have a wide students to find a path that fits their goals development part of the college experi - range of experiential learning options — and circumstances . ence from the beginning . “ We have a not only traditional internships , but also “ Our goal should be for students to wonderful office called the Career Educa - service learning , micro - internships and leave with a degree , confidence in their tion and Development Office , and it pro - project - based options that allow students abilities , meaningful experiences and a vides career coaching , career fairs , work - to get experience without needing to put clear understanding of how to navigate shops and even a career closet — for when their lives on hold for a more traditional their next steps , ” Levy says . “ Success isn’t students need clothing for an interview , ” internship program . ” just getting students across the gradua - says Tracey Meilander , associate provost Internships have always been a pop - tion stage — it’s preparing them to thrive for curriculum and compliance at ular way for students to test what they’ve after they leave us . ” Stockton University . learned in a professional environment , majors multiple times or realize Not every student is able to follow a develop workplace skills and build con - halfway through college that it’s some - traditional college schedule . Some might nections . Career - focused programs can thing they’d like stage — it’s preparing be full - time or part - time workers , while also incorporate projects or other hands - them to thrive after they leave us . ” others are raising families , changing on experiences that reflect the work stu - careers or returning to school after time dents will encounter in their chosen fields . away . This adaptability has increased the At Stockton , those experiences are importance of flexible programs , part of the connection between class - including online and hybrid options , for room learning and professional prepara - students with busy schedules . tion . “ We have internships , service “ Rowan has a number of fully online , learning with the community , interdisci - asynchronous degree programs , ” plinary projects , study abroad , global McElwee says . “ A student can earn a learning and clinicals for students to high - quality Rowan University degree apply what they learn in the classroom to and be served with high - quality student a real - world setting . ” services and never step foot on our For any college , it is important to pair campus . With this , students can work on education with the right opportunities so their own time , with folks that meet with students can feel confident in choosing a students virtually to provide the support career . That’s why programs must align that they need . ” with the needs of a constantly changing This flexibility extends beyond the workforce . location where students take their “ As workforce demands change , our courses . Options such as career - focused programs must remain responsive , which programs , means listening to our business and specialized degrees and tech - SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 23 issue 8 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 47

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