WCC Career Focus Magazine: Spring Summer 2011

8/6/2019 WCC Career Focus Magazine: Spring Summer 2011

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A Community Resource for Employment, Education and Enrichment Spring/Summer 2011 Volume 14

Blende

for Can

Online and on campus

THE PERFECT BLEND

ONLINE CLASSESExpand options or busy students

CREATIVE JOBS aren’t just or artists

Attitude CheckDon’t be a downer at work

Be SMART: Choose TRANSFERBig dreams start here

Job Search Support GroupsWork together to fnd work

Do You Really Know Yourself?Assess your assetsTHEN choose a career

Get the

A better careerand a better lie

College Beneft



UNITED WAY AT WORK IN OUR COMMUNITYEmily is a mother of two and while attending WCC’s nursing program she struggled to

ends meet. She is a single parent and her children are ages two and four. They atten

excellent childcare center in Saline, but Emily needed help with her high child care co

Through United Way support of Childcare Network, Emily received a partial childcare

scholarship, making quality child care affordable. This has allowed Emily to concentr

on her clinical work and successfully graduate.

Last year, United Way provided $55,000 in child care scholarships to help families

Emily’s. Last year 38 children from 23 families attended high quality child care pro

100% of families that received child care scholarship report a reduction in family

Parents remain employed and able to concentrate on their careers while their chi

are in safe, stable and nurturing child care environments.

E M

I L Y

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Last year over 56 applications for scholarship were left unfunded due to a lack of res

Your donation will help more children in Washtenaw County get a good start

Marianne is an 86 year-old woman who contacted a senior-serving agency for help

getting to her doctor appointments. The agency asked her to complete a short

wellness assessment and discovered multiple issues including deteriorating health,

living in a home with no water or electricity, and no local family support.

Marianne was a perfect candidate for the Senior Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP).

With the support of other United Way funded senior serving agencies, a case

management plan was developed that helped stabilize her situation quickly.

SCIP partner agencies meet every two weeks to monitor progress of each case,

to problem solve, and to come up with creative approaches to the increasingly

serious problems of Washtenaw County seniors.

m a r i a n n e

MAKING A DIFFERENCThe number of seniors, aged 85+, needing long term services has grown by more than 36%.

Your donation will help more seniors in Washtenaw County to seek and receive help.

J O E & L I S AParents, Joe and Lisa work extremely hard to provide food for their two children. In the

tough times, it is nearly impossible for them to afford fresh produce to increase the

nutritional value of their meals. This has the potential to put their children at a disadv

when it comes to brain development and physical growth.

After learning that fresh produce is available through their neighborhood food pantry,

to Food Gatherers, Joe and Lisa have been able to promote healthy living and teach th

children the benefits of good nutrition.

Washtenaw County’s Food Security Plan reports only 13% of survey respondents e

recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables and they cited that access to

foods was limited because of cost.

The 2010 Hunger in America report shows 138% increase in the number of people needin

Your donation will help feed more hungry individuals and families in Washtenaw

Your one gift to United Way supports programs that alleviate hunger; provide housing to the homeless; help children, youth, and seniors;

and assist the uninsured and underinsured with medical and dental needs. Contact United Way of Washtenaw County at 734.971.8200 or

www.uwWashtenaw.org for more information and to give. GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. LIVE UNITED®



Questions about the WCC programs and services described in

this publication should be directed to the Ofce o Admissions

at 734-973-3543. Comments or questions about the publication

itsel can be directed to WCC Public Relations and Marketing

Services at 734-973-3704.

To advertise in CareerFocus call 734-973-3360.

Publisher: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L arr y L. Whit wor th,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President, Washtenaw Community College

Execu ti ve Edi tor : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cathy J. Smilli e,

Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing

Editor: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L aura L . Craw ord

Contr ibut ing Wri ters: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura L. Craword,

Kim Kachadoorian, Anita LeBlanc, James Militzer,Eleanor Shelton, Cathy J. Smillie, Margaret Steen

Creative Director/Graphic Designer:. . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Tanguay

Photography, cover student: . . . . .IDT, Steve and Patti Constable

Photography, profles: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jakob Skogheim

Product ion Assistance: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Angela Law-Hil l

Regional Advertising Sales: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rose Bai ley

Mailing Fulfllment: . . . . . . . . . .Angela Law-Hill, Martin Thomas

www.wccnet.edu

Washtenaw Community College Board o Trustees

Pamela J. Horiszny, Chair

Diana McKnight-Morton, Vice Chair

Mark Freeman, Secretary

Patrick A. McLean, Treasurer

Stephen J. Gill, TrusteeRichard J. Landau, Trustee

Anne M. Williams, Trustee

Washtenaw Community College Executive Ofcers

Larry L. Whitworth, President

Stuart Blacklaw, Vice President o Instruction

Steven Hardy, Vice President o

Administration and Finance

Linda Blakey, Associate Vice President o Student Services

Damon Flowers, Associate Vice President o Facilities

Development/Operations

Douglas Kruzel, Associate Vice President o Human Resources

Amin Ladha, Chie Inormation Ofcer

Wendy Lawson, Associate Vice President o Development,Grants and Government Relations

CareerFocus is published three times a year by Washtenaw

Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor, Michigan

48105-4800.

All rights reserved. No part o the material printed may be reproduced

or used in any orm or by any means, electronic or mechanical,

including photocopying, recording or by any inormation storage

retrieval system without the permission o the publisher.

Go OnlineDownload a ree app or your smart phonethat will allow you to link to more Webinormation using a QR code.

Features

CAREER WATCH

3 No Limit to Creativity Artists aren’t the only ones using imagination and innovation at work

4 Be Smart: Choose Transer Big dreams don’t have to start with a big budget

STUDENT PROFILE

5 Andreea Mica-Prundeanu From WCC to Ph.D.

6 Want Work? Try Working Together Job search groups can take some o the pain

out o unemployment

7 The College Beneft A degree pays o in surprising ways

8 The Perect Blend Blended classes are equal parts high-tech and hands-on

FACULTY PROFILE

9 David Wooten The snake charmer

STUDENT PROFILE

9 Candace Werner The perect student

10 The Expanding Online UniverseExpect more classes and more options online

FACULTY PROFILE

10 Lisa Rombes Online learning is adaptable

STUDENT PROFILE

11 Sheila Coy Online fts busy schedule

12 Assess Your AssetsTake time to know yoursel beore

jumping on a career path

QUIZ

13 How Well Do You Know Yoursel?Career and personality assessments can reveal your true strengths

14 Check Your AttitudeAre negative emotions putting your job at risk?

In Every IssueFACTS AND FINDS3

• We’re Number 12! We’re Number 12!

• Student Debt Continues to Rise

• Is Retirement a Thing of the Past?

• Is It a Recovery Yet?

15 WCC NEWS

• CareerFocus Goes Interactive

• Patrick A. McLean Appointed to Fill Board Vacancy

• Are You a WCC Alum?

WCC CONNECTION

16 Take the Next Step

WCC SCHOOLS

17 WCC: Your Community College734-973-3543 I

Washtenaw Community College I www.wccnet.edu CareerFocus I Spring/Summ

On the cover:

Candace Werner took advantage o online

and blended classes to ft her busy schedule

Content



2 I Spring/Summer 2011 I CareerFocus Washtenaw Community College I www.wccnet.edu I 734

Facts and Finds

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The cost o acollege educa-tion has beenrising asterthan inlationor decades, but

some colleges are better bargains

than others–so would-be studentsshould shop careully. A college edu-cation doesn’t have to include loadso student loan debt.

According to a November 2010survey by the Pew Research Cen-ter, college students are taking onmore debt than ever and private,or-proft colleges, which tend tocharge more than publicly sup-ported community colleges anduniversities, are one o the reasonsor the increase.

Students who attend or-proft col-leges are more likely than otherstudents to borrow, and they typi-cally borrow larger amounts.

As the frst wave o Ameri-ca’s 77 million baby boomers

reaches the oicial retire-ment age o 65, it remains tobe seen i they’ll kick back orkeep working.

The closer they get to retire-ment age, the ewer boomersexpect to take advantage o it.Just 15 percent o employedboomers turning 65 this yearsay they expect to retire byage 65, while 27 percent saythey plan to retire betweenage 66 and 69, and 29 percentsay they won’t leave the work-place until age 70 or older.

But back when today’s65-year-olds were a mere 60years old, 66 percent o themthought they’d be retired bynow.

Surprisingly, even youngerworkers think it’s a good ideaor boomers to keep working.

In a recent Marist poll, 71 per-cent of younger Americans

thought that boomers shouldstay on the job until well intotheir 70s.

Although more boomers on the job means ewer job openings oryounger workers, older workersare concerned that they won’t haveenough income to retire comort-ably and younger workers areconcerned that retiring boomerscould strain the Social Securityand Medicare systems.

Sources:“Most Want Boomers to Keep Work-ing in Golden Years,” marketwatch.

com“Boomers Take the Retire Out of

Retirement,” npr.org

StudentDebtContinuesto Rise

Is Retirement a

Thing of the Past?

It used tob e t h a tthe U.S.

had bragging rights to the best-educated workorce in the world,but no more. Since the 1980s thecountry has allen to 12th place inthe percentage o the populationwith a college education.

Today just 40.4 percent o Americans age 25- to 34-years-old have an associate’s degree orhigher.

The most educated countryin the world is our northernneighbor Canada, where

55.8 percent of 25- to 34-yearolds have anassociate’s degreeor higher.

The remaining top fveare Korea, The RussianFederation, Japan andNew Zealand. But also

ahead o the U.S. areIreland, Norway, Israel, France,Belgium and Australia.

Source: “College Graduation Rates: Behind the Numbers,” AmericanCouncil on Education

The good newsabout employ-

ment is growing:Job oers are up,unemploymentis down and

maybe, just maybe,the economy

has turneda c o r ne r .

However, theoptimism ismeasured and

no one is predict-ing boom times around the corner.

Some o the trends that point to arecovery are:

•52 percent of Americans areoptimistic that the economywill improve this year while

just 25 percent believe it will getworse and 21 percent believe itwill stay the same.

Source: “Looking at 2011 Economy, Optimists Double Pessimists,” gallup.com

•Jobcreationisupacrotry. The beleaguere

where unemploymedouble digits, now leo the nation in percecreated with 32 percwestern employerthat they are hirin

Source : “Midw December U.S.ation; East and W

gallup.com

•IndeedInc.andthe Journal reported thber o U.S. job postiInternet rose to 4in December 2010million just a year e

Source: “Job Oing as Economy Wonline.wsj.com

•USA Today and Molytics predicts an percent increasnationwide for 20

Source: “Jobs Rebo Slow,” usatoday.com

A N D

Source: “The Rise of dent Borrowing”

pewsocialtrends.org

In 2008, 60% o all graduatesborrowed or their education,compared with 52% in 1996.

At private colleges (or-proftand non-proft) about 25%o certifcate and associate’sdegree students borrowed morethan $20,000. Only 5% o com-parable public college studentsborrowed that much.

The average loan oelor’s degree was m$23,000 in 2008, cowith $17,000 in 199

24% o 2008 bachelgraduates at or-proborrowed more thancompared with 5% oat public institutionsat private not-or-pr

Is It a

RecoveryYet?

We’re Number 12!We’re Number 12!

http://www.wccnet.edu/

http://marketwatch.com/


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Career Watch

B y J a m e s M i l i t z e

r

734-973-3543 I Washtenaw Community College I www.wccnet.edu CareerFocus I Spring /Summ

t’s the classic career dilemma or cre-ative people. You love creative work,but aren’t sure you have what it takesto make a career out o it–and the“starving artist” liestyle doesn’tappeal to you. How can you nd acareer that nurtures your creativeside, but also lets you make a living?

“Don’t dene creativity so narrowly,”says Margaret Lobenstine, careercoach and author o The Renaissance

Soul. “I you think that creativityis just whether you can paint, singor act, then you’re not going to getanywhere unless you have talent inpainting, singing or acting. But i you are a creative person, you’re aproblem solver, because you see theworld in a new way–and that appliesto many elds.”

Here are ve careers that oer goodsalaries, abundant jobs–and bound-less opportunities to put your creativetalents to work.

DESIGNI you’ve got aesthetic skills, maga-zines and actories might be better

venues or your work than muse-ums and art galleries. Careers inapplied arts like graphic or indus-trial design are plentiul, well-paid,and just as creative as their ne-arts

counterparts, says Carol Eikleberry,career counselor and author o TheCareer Guide for Creative and Uncon-ventional People. “You need to bepractical as well as aesthetic, butyou still get to be creative with visualinormation and three dimensionalthinking.”

Education: Most design-related elds requireanywhere rom an associate’s

to a bachelor’s degree, thougha master’s will make you moreemployable.

Outlook:The Bureau o Labor Statistics(BLS) predicts that jobs in graphicdesign and commercial/industrialdesign will experience steadygrowth this decade, while interiordesign jobs will grow aster thanaverage. Median annual wagesare $42,400 or graphic designers,$44,950 or interior designers, and$57,350 or commercial and indus-trial designers.

TEACHING

Teaching oers plenty o opportu-nities to fex your creative muscles,rom the problem-solving abilitiesrequired to plan a lesson, to the per-ormance skills needed to presentit. And you’ll use these skills eveni you don’t teach a creative art. AsLobenstine puts it, “A third gradeteacher might not be able to draw orsing on key, but she can be one o themost creative people in the world.”

Education: Most teaching positions require abachelor’s degree plus licensure.

Outlook:The BLS predicts steady growth

in the demand or kindergarten,elementary, middle and second-ary school teachers, with averagesalaries ranging rom $47,100 to$51,180.

CONSULTING

As Eikleberry puts it, “Work thatinvolves synthesizing complex inor-mation tends to be highly creative,and it oers a great opportunity orsel expression.” Whether it involvesdesigning clients’ business plans orbudgets, or advising them on howto improve worker productivity, con-sulting ts that description. The BLSalso projects it to be this decade’sastest-growing industry.

Education: Entry-level positions require abachelor’s at minimum, and higherpositions oten require an MBA.

Outlook:

Employment in management, sci-entic and technical consultingservices is projected to grow by 83percent between 2008 and 2018.

Annual pay or salaried workersaverages almost $50,000 – withsel-employed consultants otenearning much more.

COMPUTER SOFTWAREENGINEERINGLike consulting, sotware engineer-ing oten involves creative problemsolving as many programs are devel-oped to address speciic businessneeds or organizational challenges.But some sotware, like video games,can require as much aesthetic cre-ativity as any ne art.

Education: A bachelor’s degree or most jobs, withdegrees preerred orplex positions.

Outlook:The BLS projects that o computer sotwarwill increase by 32 p2008-2018–much asaverage. Median anncomputer sotwareranges rom $85,430

ENTREPRENEURSBesides letting you buaround your creative int

ning your own businessa vast array o creativtasks. As Lobenstine pua bed and breakast oThat required me to bgardener, a storyteller,decorator, a publicist–thmany pieces to it that rativity. We tend to thinrequires one label, but iincludes many ways to it can be more satisyin

Education: A degree in a relevant be necessary or all buit can’t hurt. Busine

ment classes are alsoOutlook:Pay and job opportuwildly or entrepreneuhard work, persisteactive market or theor services, business earn ar more than prother job holder. CF

No Limit to

Creativity Artists aren’t the only ones using

imagination and innovation at work

“I you are a creative person, you’rea problem solver, because you see

the world in a new way–and that

applies to many felds.”





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hy should you attend a two-yearcollege like WCC i your goal is aour-year degree?

Because low cost and high qualityadd up to one smart choice.

As the price o an education climbsand the value o a college degreeincreases, more students are real-izing that completing the frst twoyears o their degree at a commu-nity college is a wise decision.

Reason one: save moneySure it makes sense to invest in aneducation that boosts your lietimeearning power but why borrow i you don’t have to?

On average, a college student todaywill graduate with $23,000 in debt.When that loan comes due it will cost$264 a month or 10 years to repay.

But what i you could get the edu-cation without the debt? By gettingthe frst two years o a college edu-cation at WCC and completing two

more years at a higher-cost university, students can easily save$10,000 to $20,000 on the total costo a college education and otenmore. WCC provides a high-qualityeducation at a lower cost becauseit’s already generously supportedby local taxes.

Just do the math: Two years (60credit hours) at WCC cost about

$5,200. At Eastern Michigan Uni- versity you’ll pay over $16,000 orthe same number o credits, andthe University o Michigan will costyou nearly $24,000. Choose a pri-

vate university and you might payeven more.

But choose WCC or the frst twoyears, complete your general edu-cation requirements and thenconcentrate on your major whenyou transer–and you will not onlysave money, you’ll get the beneft o small classes, attentive aculty andtop-rate support services.

Reason two: a secondchance at your first choiceToday about a third o all collegestudents will transer at least oncebeore they graduate. While sometransers are between our-yearschools, many transer studentsbegin their education at a commu-nity college and then move on to aour-year university to completetheir degree.

I you set your sights on the Uni- versity o Michigan, Michigan StateUniversity or another high-profleuniversity but discover that yourhigh school GPA, academic record or

test scores all short, all is not lost.

I you’re ready to work hard now,WCC can provide you with a secondchance at getting into your dreamschool. As a transer student, our-year colleges base their transeradmissions more on a student’s suc-cess in college courses rather thanon high school grades or SAT/ACTscores.

AlexandraMcCracken,coordinator o WCC’s transerprogram MPOD(Michigan Pursu-ing Our Dreams),a d v i s e s s t u -dents who wantto at tend theUni ver s i t y o Michigan. “I youwant to get intoMichigan, beingsuccessul in yourclasses at WCC is

very impor-tant,” she says.

“Michigan requires a GPA o 3.0 or better but most o thestudent who are admittedhave GPAs well above that.Being involved in extra-

curricular activitie viding a well-wrican also can work in in the admissions pr

WCC Programs

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Successul transer students notonly take their studies seriously,they take the time to set goalsand plan their transer.

With a good plan, you’ll increaseyour chances o choosing theright school or your goalsand not wasting either timeor money taking classes youdon’t need–or missing classesyou do need.

1. Set realistic goals

“A lot o students make up theirmind that they want to be trans-er students beore they decideon a major or career,” says WCCDivisional Advisor Brad Hoth.But not all good jobs requirea our-year degree and step

one should be to evaluate theassociate degree and bachelor’sdegree options in felds thatinterest you.

“Your goals should mesh withreality,” says Hoth. “I youdecide you want to be an engi-neer, or example, you’ll have todo well in math.”

Students who are aprepared to take ccourses have the bo reaching their tra

“New college studeally have three maischool, work and Hoth. “I tell themcan probably only do two o them nowwork, school and pland play. They wonthey try to do all thwill have to choose

2. Find a career“It’s OK to not be ceyour major when says Hoth. “Too ma

just base their decisitheir riends or amwithout checking ththemselves.”

While you don’t havon a career–or everight away, part o ycollege student is toinormation you nethat decision soon.

Plan Well and Reach HThree steps to a seamless transer

B

y L a u r a L .

C r a w f o r d

By getting the frst two years o acollege education at WCC, students

can easily save $10,000 to $20,000on the total cost o a collegeeducation and oten more.

Be Smart: Choose TranserBig dreams don’t have to start with a big budget





Most transfer students take thebasics at WCC, filling outtheir schedule with gen-eral education courses ina broad range of academicfields from English tohumanities to socialsciences.

“Consider takinga career plan-ning class, suchas ACS 121 or

122,” says Hoth.Even thoughthis class won’ttransfer, it will helpyou gather informationabout yourself and yourcareer options that willprovide you with a clearerdirection.

Or make an appointmentwith a WCC counselorwho can help you identifyyour interests, researchcareers and learn aboutyour transfer options.

“Students can save time,

energy and money bymeeting with a counselor,”says WCC’s Director of Student Support JohnRinke.

Rinke recommendsthat students make anappointment to see a

counselor during non-registrationperiods. In these one-on-one ses-

sions, students can explore theircareer skills, research careersthat match their interests and

determine which four-year schoolsbest meet their needs.

3. Decide onyour transfer

school“The decision about what

you’ll major in and whereyou’ll transfer should go handin hand,” says Hoth. “Too manystudents limit their search to

schools nearby,” he adds.“Look for good programsin your field and considerschools around the stateand even out of state.”

“The sooner you decideon your transfer school,the better,” says MPOD

Coordinator McCracken.“Because every schoolhas slightly differentrequirements, you will

need to tailor your course-work at WCC to thetransfer require-me nts o f thespecific school.” CF

734-973-3543 I Washtenaw Community College I www.wccnet.edu CareerFocus I Spring/Summ

Go OnlineWCC Career ResourcesFind resources here to test your career interests andresearch careers

WCC Transfer Guides

Find out more about the specific transfer programs andrequirements for many Michigan four-yearcolleges and universities

WCC Counseling, Career Planning and Employment ServicesCheck walk-in hours or schedule an appointment with a WCCcounselor to plan your transfer and career goals CF

Andreea Mica-Prundeanu

From WCC to Ph.D.

Today Andreea Mica-Prundeanu is working

on a Ph.D. in French Language and Literatureat Michigan State University. It takes commit-ment to earn an advanced degree, but she hasalways been a good student and never doubt-ed that she would succeed in college.

“I had about a 3.9 GPA in high school andI started taking classes at WCC as a dual-enrolled student when I was a senior at DexterHigh School,” she says. When she was award-ed a scholarship to WCC, she didn’t hesitateto take it and earn her first two years of creditbefore transferring to the University of Michi-gan for her bachelor’s degree.

Put a plan in place

“When I saw my friends going to four-year

schools right out of high school, yeah, partof me wished for the glamour of a big nameuniversity,” she says. “But WCC was smallerand friendlier and I didn’t feel isolated.

“I think it’s a myth that good students don’t goto community colleges. If that was ever true,it’s certainly changing now.

“WCC definitely relieved my financial anxi-ety,” she adds. “I didn’t have to pay for thosefirst two years–but even if I had it would havebeen much less expensive.” She also appre-ciated the support and resources available.“Compared to the universities, WCC wasbetter about assisting me in life as well as ineducation.”

Mica-Prundeanu was born in Romania andmoved to the U.S. with her parents when shewas 15. She speaks English today with notrace of an accent. In Romanian schools shebegan learning French in second grade andEnglish in fifth grade but she didn’t decide tofocus her career on French until college.

“I didn’t really search for a majo

that I wanted to do something witeventually decided I wanted touniversity level,” she says.

Get ready for the real w

At WCC, Mica-Prundeanu joiTheta Kappa honor society and time in the Student Activities which made her feel part of a clomunity. She stresses the importainvolved and making connectionso many clubs and activities thaknow about, but because I got inimmersed in the whole communiperience. I really felt like I was p

“Although WCC prepared me fo

than that it prepared me for thesays. “At Michigan, I was definiteacademically, but everyone wasthey all came from similar backmost of them didn’t have to womet people of all different ages ferent backgrounds, and I learnehow to relate to people in the rea

After completing her bachelor’sMica-Prundeanu earned a masteat Eastern Michigan University rolled in the Ph.D. program at Mcertainly been exposed to manystitutions of higher education, yhas a special place in her heartindebted to WCC; I feel really goexperience there. If I had it to do choose WCC.” CF

S T U D E N T

P R O F I L E

Click herefor a list of

WCC's Transferand

University ParallelPrograms



ith 14.5 million Americans outo work, the unemployed areturning to support groups. Somegroups are organized by job hunt-ers themselves. Others are run bychurches, schools or other groups.Some ocus on people in a certainproession; others are or anyonewho wants to join.

Don’t go it aloneExperts and job seekers say thesesupport groups oer job huntersnumerous benefts:

•Job hunting know-how. Peo-ple don’t do job searches

every day. Meeting withother job hunters can help.

“Talk about some o themethods you used this week,”says Terrie Lopez, directoro career and assessment ser-

vices at Cerritos College inNorwalk, Cali., “which weremost successul?”

•Résuméhelp.WhenKenHuber,a risk management consultantin Charlotte, N.C., was laid o

in 2009, he and a ew ormercoworkers started a weekly sup-port group that later expanded.Many in the group had beenmanagers, so they decided torevieweachothers’résumés.

Just about everybody ound it tobe valuable,” Huber says. “Every-body always thinks they have areallygoodrésuméuntiltheysit down and go through theprocess.”

• A schedule. The sudden lack o a routine ater a layo can leave

job seekers eeling adrit.

“You want as much as possiblewhen you’re in the job search pro-cess to still have some kind o a

rou-tine,” Hubers a y s . “ I o u n d i t

very helpulto know thaton Wednesdaymornings, I wasgoing to be there.”

•Networking leads.“A neighbor o some-body that’s in thegroup might bethe president”o a

company that’s hiring,”says Norm Meshriy, a mas-ter career counselor and ownero Career Insights.

• Accountability. Reporting onyour progress to your peers canbe a powerul motivator. Thethought that “by next Wednes-day, they’re going to expect meto bring in three leads,” can helppeople stay ocused, Lopez says.

•Commiseration. When you’regoing through a tough time, itcan be helpul to know that othersare having the same experience.

“Losing your job is a lonely thing,”Meshriy says. In a support group,“you have a place where you canshare eelings and hear the eel-ings o others, so you don’t eel soall alone.”

The emotional support o the groupcan provide valuable perspective, aswell. Although unemployment mayseem like it’s never going to end,even being out o work or a yearwill amount to only 2 percent o a50-year career, says Rich Kenny,a talent acquisition proessionalin Michigan who ounded a net-working group or human resources

proessionals in Minnesota in 2009,where he lived beore he ound hiscurrent job.

“These kinds o groups help peoplerealize that,” Kenny says.

Making the most of itHow much you beneft rom a groupwill depend on how you approachit. Experts and job seekers oerthese tips or getting the most outo a support group:

•Choose the right group. Sup-port groups range rom inormal

to highly structured and proes-sionally run.

Some people join as many groupsas they can, which can lead towhat Huber calls “support groupatigue.” He has seen people“spending all o their time goingto support groups and not net-working other than that.

Instead, be selective. Visit severalgroups beore settling on one ortwo.

• Don’t turn it into a social hour. It’s great to make riends in asupport group. But make sureyou don’t “get stuck in the moresocial aspect o it, where the timebecomes used more or socializingas opposed to sharing inorma-tion about the job search process,”Lopez says.

•Know your goal. Ithat you want to taone with experience industry, you’ll be mcome away with poss

“You’ve got to know looking or beore you gonot going to get it,” M

•Remember that thtemporary. Your goa

job–and at that point

will no longer be pweekly routine. You helpul to give leadstill in the group, bube attending meetin

“People have to realihave to move on,” L“The saety net o thoutlived its purpose.

•Give as well as take.don’t require that yoleads or help others, buget more out the grou

“I you go into it with o helping others, yo

good relationships andwant to help you,” M

“It’s really a pay-it-orwKenny says. CF

“Losing your job is a lonely thing.”

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Go OnlineFind out about WCC Career and Employment Resources.

Try Working

TogetherJob search groupstake some of

the pain out ofunemployment

WANT WORK?


http://www.wccnet.edu/studentservices/otherservices/advising/counseling/employment.php

http://www.wccnet.edu/studentservices/otherservices/advising/counseling/employment.php






lended classes may truly be thebest o both worlds. Students arecomortable learning in traditionalclassrooms but online classes pro-

vide rich sources o learning romlectures to videos to email chats.Combining the two means thatstudents get a variety o learningopportunities in a single class.

That was the recent conclusion o a Department o Education analy-sis, “Evaluation o Evidence-BasedPractices in Online Learning.” Theresults o the report show thatonline classes actually producedbetter student outcomes than tra-ditional ace-to-ace classes, andblended learning oered an even

larger advantage over purely ace-to-ace classes.

One advantage o blended classes isthey can be designed with a morelearner-centered approach. Teach-ers o blended courses aren’t simplystanding in ront o a room and talk-ing, they’re also providing studentswith visuals and audio, interactivechats, and many resources that theInternet allows.

TechnologyTechnology has become a way

o lie or most college studentstoday so making it part o theclassroom just makes sense. Inte-grating Internet technology withboth online and blended classesallows instructors to meet stu-dents “on their own tur” statesthe Department o Educationreport.

James Egan, an online instruc-tor at WCC as well as the dean o

Distance Learning agrees: “Thereality is that the online world iswhere today’s students alreadyare,” he says. “They don’t go to thephone book anymore; they don’tuse printed dictionaries anymore;they resource electronically. Theirlaptops, cell phones and other elec-tronic devices are what they use tofnd the things they want to know.”

Personal interactionWhile many students likeblended classes because theycan study anytime, anywhere, itturns out, the time in class–withtheir instructors and each other–is what they fnd particularly

valuable. When the students andinstructors get to know eachother in person, it can set up amore eective online relation-ship.

Egan, who taught mattional classroom or neaagrees that blended cltheir mix o online ancomponents, can encoparticipation, more eand ultimately, greatsuccess.

“With my blended classethe classroom, studentstructured materials taccommodate their di

ing styles. As a resulcome to class ready to asand participate in grouphe says. CF

Online classes actually produced betterstudent outcomes than traditional face-to-face classes, and blended learningoffered an even larger advantage.

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The Perfect BlendBlended classes are equalparts high-tech and hands-on

Take one instructor experienced in teaching both online

and traditional classes; add a variety o teaching methodsand a diverse set o learning styles; add students who areeager or an online experience, but still enjoy the socialaspect o ace-to-ace classes; flter it all through fnely-tuned technology, and you’ve created a recipe or success.

Blended classes combine the best o online and classroomlearning. Students have online assignments, in whichthey watch streamed video lectures by WCC instructors,and topical videos related to their subject. They use theBlackboard online class management system to accesscourse materials, submit assignments, take tests andsend emails. Then they come to campus every other week

to meet with their instructors and classmates, and dis-cuss in person what they’ve been learning online.

Since WCC frst oered blended classes in all 2007, thenumber o courses and enrollments has more than dou-bled, and the range o classes has expanded to include amenu o general education courses such as composition,biology, psychology and math, as well as classes relatedto specifc programs such as nursing.

James Egan, WCC dean o Distance Learning, is enthu-siastic about online and blended classes in part becausethey allow more one-on-one interaction between studentand instructor. “With the online portion o the class, I

can talk to each o my students indi-

vidually, and moreimportantly, theycan talk to me. Ioten fnd that theones who sit quietly

at the back o theclassroom reallyopen up with theprivacy aordedby the Blackboardinteraction.”

Who chooses online and blended?Profles o online students point to a slightly owho have completed more college credit hour

degree programs, and have a higher all-collegtheir traditional counterparts. The ollowinresent characteristics o combined blended students rom winter semester 2010:

Age Number of studUnder 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25-35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Education LevelGED/non-high-school grad . . . . . . . . . .High school grad or current

high school student . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Transer rom community college . . . .

Transer rom our-year college . . . . . .College grad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Educational Goal Associates/Transer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Certifcate/Transer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Transer only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A Recipe for Success

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Blended or hybrid–what’s in a word?WCC uses the term “blended” to reer to classes that com-bine traditional ace-to-ace classes with online learning.Many other colleges use the term “hybrid” or this type o class. Blended or hybrid classes typically meet about hal as oten as traditional ace-to-ace classes; the remaindero the classtime is spent in online learning.

CF

http://www.wccnet.edu/academics/classes/blended/






Candace Werner

The perect student

Candace Werner is the perect student. Well,sort o.

She’s an excellent student, yes. Where the perectcomes in is that Werner is an exact match orthe prole o students who succeed in blendedclasses: She’s in her mid-thirties, married, withtwo small children. She’s on track with her pro-gram, secondary education, and will transer toEMU in the all. She takes online, ace-to-aceand blended classes. She’s ocused, enthusiasticand organized.

“I’m a list maker,” Werner says. “I have thisthree-ring binder on my desk and every day Imake lists o things I have to do, then cross owhat I’ve nished, then add more things to do,

and more… and more.”

Her little boys help keep her organized: “I putthe kids on the bus, run in and take a shower,run over to the College or class, then runhome to meet the kids at the bus. SometimesI sit my son down next to me when I’m study-ing. While he plays video games, I put on myheadphones and listen to my lectures.”

Werner said blended classes just “t the bill” orher busy schedule. “It’s a lot easier to block outone day on campus rather than two or three.”

And she enjoys the online work. “It’s nice todo things on my own, in my own time,” she

says. “The discussion boards whole conversations with you

You ask a question or comment othen someone else pops in and rthen someone else may have a you can answer.

“But it makes a dierence i you’veach other in class,” she says. “mother with two kids and we hitwould be the one I’d go to onlinequestion or comment.”

For nine years, Werner workedcourt clerk processing landlordtion cases. “I had my salary andbut I thought, ‘This is all I’ll be next 30 years.’ I would go homeing rustrated because I’d hear thstories and, in my job, there wcould do to make a dierence ple’s lives.”

Soon Werner will be able to maence. She realized she wanted toand she enrolled at WCC ull timin with both eet, and I’ve never bshe says, “I’m going to be an Enor middle school or high schooderstand the importance o a goowant to help my students get into

734-973-3543 I Washtenaw Community College I www.wccnet.edu CareerFocus I Spring /Summ

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David Wooten

The snake charmer

David Wooten is charming. He’s alsosmart, interesting and an excellent teach-er. But what really ignites his imaginationare snakes. Venomous snakes. And he’sbeen this way since he was seven yearsold.

“My brother had severe asthma, so wecouldn’t have regular pets, like cats

and dogs. One day, my dad broughta garter snake to show me. It was themost amazing thing I’ve ever seen! Iknew then that I wanted to be an animalscientist, and I ploughed all the waythrough college and graduate schoolwith that goal in mind.”

Wooten researches, studies and han-dles snakes rom all over the world,and he’d probably do that ull time,except that he has a job he nds justas interesting. He teaches biology atWCC, and recently he designed andtaught his rst blended class. “Lastspring we launched one blended sectiono Biology 101 with raving success; now

there are three sections,” he says.Students use online resources suchas lectures and textbooks, but Wootenwanted the online component to be aricher experience than watching an in-structor behind a podium. “We use asystem where they can watch me walk-ing around, working out problems onthe dry-erase board, interacting withthe students in the audience and usingthe PowerPoint. We even incorporatedanimation.”

Wooten also added virtual labs inwhich students virtually participate inonline experiments. “Instead o just

point and click, the students use theirmouse to ‘pick up’ the beaker. Thenthey ‘place’ the beaker on the hot plate,and so on.”

The virtual lab technology worked well,so Wooten has gone on to use it orvirtual labs in respiration, photosyn-thesis and evolution.

“I’ve never had to be so organized tomake a class run fuently. Teaching

blended really orced me to bring thatclass to another level, which has a-ected my ace-to-ace classes. Withoutquestion, all my classes are improvedrom teaching this blended course.”

Ater he earned a Master’s o Science inBiology rom Central Michigan Univer-sity, Wooten attended the University oFlorida or a Ph.D. in Zoology, research-

ing, what else, venomous snakes. As agraduate teaching assistant, he taughtenvironmental education at a naturecenter, an experience that did more thanhelp pay tuition, it changed his ocusrom research to education.

“I elt like I was a good researcher, butI elt like I could be a great proessor,”he says. “So I came back to teach andnever regretted it.

“I like what teaching allows you todo,” he says. “I get to talk about what Ilove, and I get a chance to share it withothers. I am still involved in researchand then bring what I learn back to theclassroom.” Wooten calls himsel “theinterpreter.” “I can talk biology and Ican talk student,” he says. “To be ableto take something as complex as biol-ogy and watch students begin to un-derstand it, there’s this great synergywhen you see them mirror your pas-sion. At that point you eel, ‘Yeah, I canactually make a dierence.’” CF

– CJS

Go OnlineRead more about WCC’s blended classes and fnd out what’s oethis semester.

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The Expanding Online UniverseExpect more classes and more options onlinecollege student in California needsto take a waste management class

related to his environmental stud-ies degree. His college doesn’t offerit but a college in Wisconsin does.No problem–the class is onlineand his school will articulate thecredits.

With technology impacting our livesin so many ways, and students bus-

ier than ever, the way we learn ischanging.

The online universe

One day online learning may offerstudents a network of coursesdeveloped at different colleges

and available to students regard-less of the college they’re enrolled

in, says Dr. Gerard de los Santos,president of the League for Inno- vation in the Community College,an international organization thatfosters the growth of communitycolleges through research, confer-

ences, partnerships aresources.

“In the next ten years Isee a dramatic increaseration between varioueducation. This will reqing in big and bold way

Lisa Rombes

Online learning is adaptable

Math instructor Lisa Rombes lovedteaching students in her Everyday Col-lege Math course and her Statisticscourse, but ater 20-plus years in theclassroom, she was looking or newchallenges and more fexibility. So ayear and a hal ago she decided to tryteaching online classes.

“I eel that online learning is where thegrowth is going to be,” says Rombes.

While Rombes wasn’t sure what to ex-pect that rst semester, she was sur-prised that the majority o questionsshe received rom students were aboutthe organization o the class rather thanabout math. Now she realizes that on-line students need to know what to ex-pect rom the class and how to accessthe material. Her online math classesinclude a textbook, video lectures and

practice quizzes that allolearn the material in variwatching, listening or thro

One o the strengths o onthat students can adapt theown learning style.

“I know that I have studenthe videos multiple times, ahaven’t watched them onceul students in my class areknow what they need to gdown. They’re sel awarelearning style, have great cskills and are organized,” s

“I don’t want to give up classes because I would son-to-person contact, buline is satisying. Even witmath students I can still geencourage them to keep says. CF





Sheila Coy

Online fits busy schedule

Sheila Coy is a very busy woman. She worksull time at an accounting frm and goes toschool ull time at WCC. She is pursuing abusiness degree although she’s been in thebusiness world or years.

“I have a lot o experience but I eel that I needthe ormal credentials. I’m thinking aboutstarting my own business one day,” she says.

Coy enjoys her classes at WCC but because oher time limits, coming to campus several eve-nings a week wasn’t working, so she began tak-ing classes online.

“I’ve taken at least seven or eight online class-es and they are exactly what I expected. I had

the computer skills, I knew Blackboard but Ididn’t know there would be discussion boardswhere I could talk and interact with other stu-dents. It’s like being in a real class without ac-tually being in a classroom,” says Coy.

Coy had a very good experienceRombes’s Everyday College Masemester. “She answered my ques

ly, was air and had very well orclear syllabus and class handoutgot to know her a little bit and I haeyes on her,” says Coy.

Coy realizes that some classes donselves to the online ormat such assonal Communications class, bueels that distance learning can be aor students.

“I like reading the chapters at mand I am sel directed and don’t a teacher in ront o me. And I’mso I oten preer taking my classep.m. and 2 a.m. That’s what works

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“Technology is all around us inonline banking, online video

gaming, even finding a mateonline. Why not use it foreducation too?”

734-973-3543 I Washtenaw Community College I www.wccnet.edu CareerFocus I Spring/Summe

Online: Flexible, Adaptable and GrowingToday WCC oers 39 courses online andevery semester the student enrollment inonline classes grows. Currently close to2,000 students are enrolled in an online

class–that’s about 12 percent o the stu-dent population.

“Our students now need to multitask, bal-ancing work, amily and school. Onlineclasses are not just a convenience but anecessity,” says Jim Egan, dean o Dis-tance Learning. “And it makes sense.Technology is all around us in online bank-ing, online video gaming, even nding amate online. Why not use it or educa-tion too?”

WCC rst oered online courses in 2001.Today all visuals are online, primarilystreamed; the Blackboard system deliversthe content, communications and assess-

ments; and email is the primary methodor communicating with aculty and otherstudents.

According to Egan, WCC students tak-ing online classes do equally well or evenbetter than those taking traditional on-campus classes. The reason may be exactlywhat sets them apart–fexibility.

“Online classes address the issue o di-erent learning styles and paces,” says

Egan. “Some students are visual learn-ers so they have the option o watching alecture as many times as they want. Text-based learners can rely on the supporting

material. No one size ts all.” CF

we meet the learning needs o ourstudents,” he says.

Online is different“Enrollment in distance learning

and blended learning appear to beoutpacing traditional on campusenrollments,” says de los Santos.

“Students are looking at onlineoptions or dierent reasons. Itcould be the displaced worker whohas to juggle a amily or a youngerstudent who is part o the ‘Net’ gen-eration and is comortable withtechnology.”

While online learning has manypositive aspects such as access andfexibility, there are some caveatssays Dr. John Roueche, Commu-nity College Leadership directorand proessor in the College o Edu-cation at the University o Texasat Austin.

First, choose your online coursescareully: “Some online programs

are worthy o praise and some arefy-by-night and take advantage o students,” he cautions.

Second, stay connected to ellow stu-dents and your teacher. Roueche isencouraged by the trend he is see-ing o incorporating collaborativeactivities into courses such as chatrooms so students get interactionalong with their instruction.

Finally, be sure you’re prepared tolearn online. “Students need to beevaluated to determine whetherthey will be successul online learn-ers,” he says.

“They need to demonstrate thatthey are goal oriented, sel directedand need a certain level o academicand computer skills.” CF

Go OnlineRead more about WCC’s online classes and see what’s offeredthis semester.







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ouldn’t it be wonderul to fnd aresource that could reveal your

perect career and describe how toachieve it? You have one–it’s you.

Unortunately the noise o theexpectations o others, a desire orbig money or prestige, the allure o a sexy job title or the latest hot jobtrend can distract you rom listen-ing to who you are and what youwant to do with your lie.

Who are you? Anthony Spadaore o Pathfnders,a Washington, D.C.-area careerdesign consulting frm, and coau-thor o Now What? A Young Person’sGuide to Choosing the Perfect

Career, says that oten studentsparachute into college iguringthey will determine their majorand/or career goal along the way–an expensive, and oten ultimatelyunproductive, tactic.

Donnie McGovern,director o The Uni-

versity o Cincinnati’sExploratory Studies,agrees that youngs t u d e n t s o v e r -whelmed with the

task o making majoreducat i onal andcareer decisions otendon’t take the oppor-tunity to understandwhat makes them tickand identiy the jobs

that can keep them tick-ing productively.

“Students oten overlook the advan-tage o personality and vocational

assessments available at thecareer counseling department at

their local college or university,”says McGovern. “Those consider-

ing attending college, or making acareer transition, can better under-stand their skills, abilities, personalqualities, values and interests, andbe more eective in making deci-sions about their career goals andsetting their educational path whenaided by assessments.”

Do it now, or do it laterSpadaore estimates that by thetime people reach mid-career,nearly 70 percent are in a job thatisn’t in alignment with their talentsor sense o purpose. Feeling trappedin the wrong proession, many peo-

ple will choose to stay put and akeit, end up job hopping or go back toschool without comprehending thatthe fx or their dissatisaction isto use their innate talents ratherthan struggling to overcome theirperceived weaknesses.

Spadaore’s personal experiencemade him a believer in the valueo discerning strengths and inter-ests through assessment. “I studiedelectrical engineering and was inthe feld or years, but kept allingdown the ladder. Ater getting theresults o my assessment, I learnedthat I was more ascinated by peo-ple than machines. The power o my experience made me passion-ate about helping others fnd theirtrue niche instead o languishingin a mismatched career.

“The conventional wisdom that‘you can do anything you wanti you try hard enough’ is lead-ing most people down the wrongroad,” he says. “Each o us shouldbe taught to understand what ourreal talents are, and then we canconfdently pursue the right edu-cation or us–one that can bringlong-term, sustainable ulfllment.This is where assessments can help.

“Our underlying aptitudes andnatural abilities remain steadast

throughout our lives, the same goeswith our weak spots; they’ll always

remain no matter how diligently weattempt to overcome them,” he says.

Start hereWhile thousands o assessmentsexist that can revealcommon threadsand patterns inyour l i e thatyou may not beaware o , andconfrm inormationyou may already know,Spadaore and McGoverncite two major ones that havebeen used or decades and

are the ones most oten usedon college campuses:The Myers-BriggsType Indicator(MBTI) and theStrong InterestInventory (SII).

MBTI: You’ve got pand preferences

The classic MBTI passessment can help understand your persohow you relate and inothers, and optimize ychoices by helping y

stand your personal pIt’s designed to hinormation about h

vidual perceives iand makes decisio

ing the eects o pon career choice. It

allows the individ-

“The conventional wisdom that ‘you

can do anything you want if you try

hard enough’ is leading most people

down the wrong road.”

Assess Your AssetsTake time to know yourself before jumping on a career pat


Go OnlineFind out how WCC’s Counseling, Career Planning and Employment Services can help you assess your own career aptitudes.


http://www.wccnet.edu/advising





ual to play to their strengthsas they investigate related

occupations and strategiesor career exploration.

SII: Playing to yourstrengths

The SII indicator is anassessment o interests,based on an idea that individ-uals are more satisfed andproductive when they workin jobs or at tasks they fndinteresting, and with peoplewhose interests are similarto theirs. Computer resultsrom this 25-minute assess-

ment show how certain

interests comparewith the interests o people successullyemployed in spe-cifc occupations.

It identifes optimumcareer choices based oninterests, and includesrelated occupations that

jibe with them. CF


How Well Do You Know YourseCareer and personality assessments can revealyour true strengths

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hould you visit a career or coun-seling center or a personalityassessment? The ollowing quiz canhelp you decide. Select the answerthat you most agree with:

1I’ll choose my careerand course of studybased on what myparents and friendssuggest.

A. Yes, I trust their judgment.They know me best and what’sgood or me.

B. No, I think it makes sense to

better understand my talents andwhat kind o work is most suitedto me.

2Successful peoplework harder to balanceout their weaknesses.

A. No, the most successul peo-ple make use o their strengthsrather than ocusing on theirweaknesses.

B. Yes, overcoming obstacles isa sign o a strong person.

3The first two years

of college are forfiguring out my choiceof a career and amajor.

A. Yes, those rst two years arebest spent trying out all dierentkinds o classes and exploring asmany careers as possible.

B. No, if I identify my inher-ent traits and interests beoreI go to college, I can focus onclasses that are a good ft ormy aptitudes.

4The bigger the

paycheck, thebetter the job.

A. No, the most successul peo-ple have a eeling o purposeand a sense o satisaction intheir work. They generally havea better quality o lie and incomeas well.

B. Yes, getting paid is the onlyreason people work.

5 If you do what youlove, you might behappy, but you’llprobably be poor.

A. Yes, while there may be theoccasional rock star or sportshero, most people have to putmaking a living frst beore ol-lowing a dream.

B. No, there are thousands owell-paying careers that call ora variety o talents. Understand-ing my talents and preerencesand opening mysel up to explor-ing career options can lead me

to work that pays well and alsogives me satisaction.

Answer Key

Give yoursel one point or eachcorrect answer.

1-B. McGovern says that manystudents mistakenly choose theirmajor based on the well-meaningguidance o parents, peers, coun-selors and teachers who oten settheir recommendations on whatthey think is the best ft or the stu-dent, with little to no considerationo the student’s ability or person-ality type.

Spadaore adds that it’s importantthat people understand that tal-ent is more than an innate abilityor acting, music, art or athletics.“In reality, there are many kindso talents–organizing, v isualizing,spatial ability versus working withpeople–that can result in any num-ber o satisying careers.”

2-A. The mistaken assumptionis that our strengths will stand,so we should ocus on overcomingour weaknesses. In act, Gallupresearch shows that a high per-centage o people obsess over their

weaknesses rather than theirstrengths. The reality is that thegreatest leaders, and most peoplein general, do their best when play-ing to their innate talents.

3-B. Spadaore says he speaks toany number o parents who spendthousands o dollars on SAT tutor-ing and backup to get their childreninto the best colleges beore theyconsider a personality assess-ment or their children. “It’s sad

how manypeoplestrugglein collegeor careers, notbecause o a lack o intelli-gence or eort, but becauseo a mismatch o their tal-ents and traits.”

4-A. The prevalent belie o many people that work issupposed to be bearable atbest, and miserable at worst,keeps them in the shackles o unsatisying, mind- and spirit-sapping jobs. While it’s necessary

to have a paycheck, isn’t lie sup-posed to be more than punching aclock and cashing a check? Aren’tyou deserving o a career that oersyou afrmation and brings joy toyour lie?

5-B. McGovern notes, “I you majorin something you love to study, ornaturally gravitate toward, youwill typically fnd a way to makethose skills transerable in the jobmarket. In short, do what you loveand the money will indeed ollow.”

Scoring4-5 points: You’ve got a good under-

standing about how an assessmentcan give you the lead in your col-lege studies and career. Bet you’vealready given yoursel the advan-tage o an assessment.

2-3 points: Not bad, but why notequip yoursel with a better under-standing o the talents you haveand the career that’s right or you?

0-1 point: Run, don’t walk, to acareer counseling department andsign up or an assessment today.

You deserve more than sloggingthrough classes and a career thatdon’t match your talents. CF











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he other day in a grocery storeI heard a mother say to a child

“Young lady, you better checkyour attitude.” Adults say this tochildren all the time, but rarelydo they say it to each other. Yetsome adults could beneft rom alittle attitude check–especially atwork. Just like misbehaving chil-dren, adults who haven’t masteredtheir emotions can poison an entireworkplace with their bad attitude.

Attitude is oten considered a “sotskill.” It’s difcult to measure ona perormance review, but every-one knows when someone has anattitude problem. Everyone knowswho is the angry person, the overly-

sensitive person, the complainer,the back-stabber, the slacker andso on. Sure, we all have naturalemotional reactions to workplacepressures, but the better you areat mastering them, the more suc-cessul you will be at work.

How is your attitude at work? Hereis a check:

Are you usually positive?Dig deep–do you work to keep apositive attitude on the job? I not,is there something you can do tochange it? Marsha Petrie Sue, pro-essional speaker and author o The

Reactor Factor, says, “I you wantto succeed, you must take personalresponsibility or your attitude. Doyou have real enthusiasm inyour interactions with others?

A positive attitude is built bycaring and learning rom your

environment and not beingengrossed only with yoursel or your own opinions. Take aninventory o your attitude; areyou a responsible adult at work?

An optimistic attitude not onlyrefects well on you, it makesyour coworkers, and the entirecompany, look good. The result

is that your coworkers–andyour boss–value your con-

tributions, and your job isa little more secure than itwould be i you were a con-stant complainer draggingeveryone down. Learningto see the “silver linings” inyour work situation may bethe strength that binds yourteam.

Do you build goodrelationships at work?Gordon S. Curtis, author o thebook Well Connected and execu-tive transition coach, oers theollowing advice: “There is a

tell-tale way to know how yourattitude aects others at work;i you ask or help rom a el-low team member and they helpwithout hesitating, your attitudeis likely in good standing. I noone wants to invest in helpingyou, you might want to reevalu-ate your relationships and yourmood at work. Your attitude maybe undermining your successwith your coworkers; you maybe creating your own problems.”

While it may be human natureto want to win, in a negative andhostile environment there are no

winners. The more you cultivateriendships and teamwork withyour coworkers, the more you toowill thrive.

Do you love your work?Rich Sheridan, CEO o MenloInnovations LLC, a sotwaredevelopment company in Ann

Arbor, Mich., is renowned orgenerating a positive atmospherein the workplace. “You shouldseek joy in both what you do andthe environment in which you doit. You will be more productive,more engaged, more creative,

and produce higher quality workin whatever you choose to do,”he says.

But what i you just don’t fnd joyin your work? I you truly eelthat you’re in the wrong proes-sion and believe the only way tochange it is to leave, start work-ing towards that goal. The keyword here is “start”–go back to

school, or fnd a new ever it takes to “sta

is not always easy, sbaby steps. Think lyrics “just put one o the other, and sowalking out the doorfrst step, and then

How did you do? Poptimistic? Check. Cand riendly? Checand creative? Cheeveryone is entitled now and then and a bmight occasionally cyou, learn to resist i

O course it takes e

your best every day. Bing tabs on your atmaking an eort todesires to throw ayou’re increasing yowork. You’re makingeveryone to be happ–including you. CF

An optimistic attitude not onlyreflects well on you, it makesyour coworkers, and the entirecompany, look good.

Check Your Attitudeyour job at risk?Are negative emotions putting





N E W S WCC News

CareerFocus Goes InteractiveVideos, QR codes and more links to WCC online resources

When David Rutledge won theelection or 54th District repre-sentative in the Michigan Houseo Representatives last Novem-ber, he let a vacancy on the WCCBoard o Trustees.

In January, the WCC Boardappointed Patrick A. McLeanto serve the two years o Rut-ledge’s unexpired term. McLean’sappointment will expire Dec. 31,2012, ollowing the next generalelection.

McLean, a resident o Ypsilanti,has been employed as the fnance

director or the city o Toledo, Ohiosince January 2010. Beore that heserved as associate vice chancel-lor or aordability and efciencywith the Ohio Board o Regents, aschie fnancial ofcer or the Ohio

Attorney General’s ofce and as

chie o sta or the Ohio SenateMinority Caucus.

Locally, McLean spent threeyears as executive director o theWashtenaw Area Council or Chil-dren and served as a nonproft andpolitical consultant. He was also acommissioner with the YpsilantiHousing Commission.

McLean received his master’sin political science rom MiamiUniversity in Ohio and his bach-elor’s in political sciencerom the University o Dayton. He also has taught

as an adjunct proessor atMonroe County Commu-nity College in Michigan,New York University andWilmington College inOhio.

A new interactive online version o CareerFocuswill arrive in WCC students’ email just as the

printed magazine reaches Washtenaw Countymailboxes.

Readers o both ver-sions are going tonotice many moreeatures that linkCareerFocus toresources on theWCC website aswell as to other use-ul resources on theWeb.

What’s new in the printed CareerFocus?

•Look for the Quick Response (QR) codes in articles and in the “WCC Schools” listingo WCC programs. Smart phones equippedwith a QR app can read the code and takeyou directly online. (Find a list o ree down-loads o QR apps at www.mobile-barcodes.com/qr-code-software)

•The new “WCC Connection” links readersdirectly to the most popular sections o theCollege website. Apply or admission, searchthe class schedule, apply or ederal fnancialaid, take an online orientation, and get online(or in-person) advising just by ollowing thelinks or QR codes on page 16.

•Launch videos about WCC programs andschools with QR codes in the “WCC Schools”

listing.

• New “Go Online” inormation with everyarticle provides QR codes and conventional

URLs or resources on WCC’s wother Web resources.

What’s new about the online m

•ViewthenewinteractiveonlineCat www.wccnet.edu/about-us/car

•Embeddedvideosletreaderslearnabout WCC programs

•Pop-upinformationboxesallowremore inormation without leavin

•MoveseamlesslybetweenCareeWCC’s website

Are You a WCC Alum?

Patrick A. McLean Appointedto Fill WCC Board Vacancy

Go OnlineDownload a free app

for your smart phone that

will allow you to link to more

Web information using a

QR code.


Did you earn a certifcate or asso-ciate degree rom WCC? Didyou take classes, or transer? Doyou look back on your time atWashtenaw with ondness andwonder what happened to all thosegreat people you met?

WCC’s new alumni website oers

you a way to reconnect. Once youregister you can post a profle andsee other alumni profles. “This isthe irst step in building a baseo alumni who can connect witheach other both personally and pro-essionally,” says Alicia Schuster,scholarship and alumni coordina-tor at the WCC Foundation.

As the base o alumni grows, so toowill opportunities or new alumnievents. “By getting involved, ouralumni members can shape the

direction o the WCC Alciation,” says Schuster.

Registered members o Association receive addefts, which include:

• Biannual Internenewsletter

•UseofWCClibrary

•UseofWCCcounselinplanning services

•Discountticketstostu

•Specialalumnieventtions to WCC Founda

•TheWCCFoundation

Find out more about t Association and realumni.wccnet.edu CF







o you want to fnd out moreabout WCC programs andclasses? Are you ready toapply or admission? Get

started now and you couldbe learning a new skill ina WCC classroom next

semester. Just ollow theselinks to important inorma-tion on the WCC website.


C

a r e e r F

o

c u

s

WCC Connection

Take the Next Step

March 16Spring/Summer semester registration begins or current andreadmitted students

March 23Spring/Summer semester registration begins or new students

May 5, May 29 and June 13Last dates to register or 12, 10 and 7 1/2 -week sessions

May 9, May 31 and June 15Spring/Summer 12, 10 and 7 1/2 -week sessions begin

Learn More AboutWCC programsWCC oers more than a hundrtifcate, associate degree and trprograms. Look over the online

and begin exploring programs that meinterests and goals.

Apply for AdmissionWCC’s application or admission is reeand it can be completed online. Whetheryou plan to earn a certifcate or an asso-ciate degree, transer to a university or

take a ew courses, WCC has classes and programsthat provide the skills you need. Once you apply,you’ll be mailed inormation you need to completethe admission process.

Search the ClassScheduleFind out which classes will be oeredin the upcoming semester.

Apply for FederalFinancial AidNeed help paying or your eduLearn more about ederal fnanscholarships and low-interest

student loans.

Find out AboutOrientationI you’re new to WCC, online orien-

tation is a required frst step beoreyou can register or classes. New col-lege students may also be required to

attend an on-campus orientation and to take theCOMPASS placement test. Find out more aboutthe process here.

Connect with WCCCounseling andAdvising WCC counselors can help you set goals,decide on a course o study and select

the right classes. Whether you plan to transer to aour-year university or earn a WCC degree, a visitto the Counseling and Advising ofce provides youwith an opportunity to ask questions,explore your options and decideon the best course o study oryour goals.

Register for ClasOnce you’re ready to go, ollowinstructions to register online

1

2 3 4

5 6 7

Important Dates to Remember


http://www.wccnet.edu/academicinfo/creditofferings/programs


http://www.wccnet.edu/studentservices/studentconnection/admissions

http://www.wccnet.edu/schedule


http://www.wccnet.edu/financialaid


http://www.wccnet.edu/orientation





http://www.wccnet.edu/studentservices/studentconnection/registration

http://www.wccnet.edu/academicinfo/academic-dates



















Salaries are based on most current data available as of June 2010. Earnings vary based on experience, education and location. *From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics most current Occupational Employment Statistics (May 2009). **Fr

WCC Schools

School of Advanced Manufacturing SystemsWhether your interest is in robotics, manu-acturing or automation, the programs in theSchool of Advanced Manufacturing Systemswill t your needs. Maintain and troubleshootthe machines that make commercial goodsby specializing in one or more aspects of themachining industry. Develop entry level oradvanced skills in electronics, automation,industrial computing, fuid power, numericalcontrols or welding. Advanced specializationis also available in some o these areas.

AutomationFluid Power Certifcate

Automation Technology Associate inApplied Science

ElectronicsIndustrial Electronics Technology

Certifcate

Industrial Electronics Technology IIAdvanced Certifcate

Machine ToolMachine Tool Technology Certifcate

ManufacturingNumerical Control Programming Certifcate

Related OptionsWelding–See School of Construction Technology

Computer Systems T echnology Certificate–See School of Informatio n Technology

Plann ing to transfer? Talk to a WCC counselor about the College’s wide range of transfer and articulation agreements with four-year institutions.

National Median Salaries

Numerical Tool and Process ControlProgrammers–$46,010*

School of Apprenticeship StudiesFind a trade-related associate’s degree pro-gram that builds on your unique set oskills while giving you the knowledge andskills needed to move into organizationalleadership.

Apprenticeship StudiesApprentice Completion Certifcate

Journeyman Industrial Associate inApplied Science

Occupational Studies Associate in

Applied Science

Articulated Union Building TradePrograms

Construction Supervision Certifcate

Construction Supervision Associate in

Applied ScienceConstruction Supervision Associate in Science

United Association of Journeymenand Apprentices of the Plumbing andPipefitting Industry of the UnitedStates and Canada

Industrial Training Associate in AppliedScience

Industrial Training Associate in Science

Sustainable Technologies in HVACR Asso-ciate in Applied Science

P lanning to transfer? Talk to a WCC counsel- o r about the College’s wide range of transfer

and articulation agreements with four-year institutions.

School of Automotive and Motorcycle TechnologyIf you are looking for the best technicaltraining in the automotive or motorcycleelds, WCC’s School o Automotive andMotorcycle Technology is the place for you.Whether your ocus is nding employmentas a technician, learning about perormanceor creating a custom look, our intermedi-ate and advanced certicate programs andassociate’s degrees will enhance your per-sonal and proessional qualications. These

programs oer the perect blend o class-room and hands-on education not availablein any other educational setting.

Auto Body Repair

Auto Body Repair Certifcate

Collision Repair Refnish TechnicianAdvanced Certifcate

Collision Repair TechnicianAdvanced Certifcate

Automotive ServicesAutomotive Mechanics Certifcate

Automotive Services Technician

Advanced Certifcate

Custom Cars & ConceptsCustom Auto Body Technician

Advanced Certifcate

Custom Fabrication & Chassis DesignAdvanced Certifcate

Motorcycle Service TechnicianMotorcycle Service Technology I Certifcate

Motorcycle Service Technology IIAdvanced Certifcate

Related Options Welding–See School of Construction

Technology Occupational Studies–See School of Apprenticeship Studies

Planning to transfer? Talk to a WCC counsel- or about the College’s wide range of transfer and articulation agreements with four-year institutions.


Automotive Body and Related Repair–$37,980*

Automotive Service Technicians and –$35,420*

Motorcycle Mechanics–$31,820*

See the video

See the video

WCC: Your Community College You’ll ind over a hundred certiicate anddegree programs in the 14 schools o studyat WCC. Choose the schools that match yourinterests and select rom the related programs.

Want to get into a new career as quicklyas possible? A certifcate program consist-ing o 15- to 30-credit hours can have youon the job within a year.

Want vocational or technical trainingalong with solid academics? An associatedegree program with about 64 credit hourswill prepare you or in-demand proessionsin felds such as healthcare, inormationtechnology, media arts and more.

Plan on earning a bachelor’s degree orhigher? Two years o oundation courses at

WCC will prepare you to transer to nearlyany our-year college in the nation and saveyou thousands o dollars too. Many asso-ciate degree programs also prepare youor transer to related bachelor’s degreeprograms at our-year universities too.

Explore the WCC schools listing below ora career that fts your goals.

Want to learn more? Link to WCC videos toyourself what WCC and programs have www.wccnet.edu/fashvideos














































18 I Spring/Summer 2011 I CareerFocus Washtenaw Community College I www.wccnet.edu I 734-

Salaries are based on most current data available as o June 2010. Earnings vary based on experience, education and location. *From the U.S. Bureau o Labor Statistics most current Occupational Employment Statistics (May 2009). **Fr

School of Business and Entrepreneurial StudiesLearn the fundamentals you will need tobecome a business leader or entrepreneur.These programs help you develop entry-level skills in various aspects o business.Whether your goal is to make your place inan existing industry or branch out on yourown, these programs can provide the oun-dation or success.

EntrepreneurshipEntrepreneurship Certifcate

Business

Business Sales and Marketing Certifcate

Human Resource Management Certifcate

Management Supervision AdvancedCertifcate

Management Supervision Associate inApplied Science

AccountingAccounting Certifcate

Accounting Associate in Applied Science

Business Office Systems

Administrative Assistant I Certifcate

Computer Sotware Applications Certifcate

Medical Ofce Assistant Certifcate

Administrative Assistant II AdvancedCertifcate

Administrative Assistant TechnologyAssociate in Applied Science

Related Options

Business Associate in Art–See Transer and University Parallel Programs

Occupational Studies–See School o Apprenticeship Studies

Planning to transer? Talk to a WCC counsel- or about the College’s wide range o transer and articulation agreements with our-year institutions.


Sales Representatives, Wholesale Macturing, Technical and Scientifc Pucts–$71,340*

Employment, Recruitment and Plac

cialists–$46,200*Food Service Managers–$47,210*

First Line Supervisors/Managers oftion Trades and Extraction Workers

First Line Supervisors/Managers ofInstallers, Repairers–$51,000*

Executive Secretaries or Administratants–$41,650*

Medical Secretaries–$30,800*

School of Child Care ProfessionalsWhether you are looking to care or childrenin a home-based center or a proessional orschool-based setting, these programs can

prepare you or an entry-level position as achildcare proessional.

Child Development Certifcate

Child Care and Education AdvancedCertifcate

Child Care Proessional Associate inApplied Science

Planning to transer? Talk to a WCC counsel- or about the College’s wide range o transer and articulation agreements with our-year

institutions


Preschool Teachers–$24,540*

School of Construction TechnologyBecome part o the growing global com-munity o skilled trades proessionals orskilled trades managers. Design, plan, con-struct and complete structures or yourhome or for your career. You can earn acertifcate or degree in Residential Construc-tion; Construction Management; or Heating,Ventilation and Air Conditioning. These pro-grams oer the perect blend o classroomeducation and hands-on training. You canlearn classic skills such as woodworkingor modern techniques needed to maintainor improve your own structure. The HVACRprogram oers a wide range o training toequip high-end technicians with the knowl-edge and skills needed or successul entryinto the feld.

Construction ManagementCommercial Property Maintenance Tech-

nology Advanced Certifcate

Construction Management Associate in Art

HVACR

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning andRerigeration Residential Certifcate

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning andRerigeration CommercialAdvanced Certifcate

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning andRerigeration IndustrialAdvanced Certifcate

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning andRerigeration Associate inApplied Science

Residential Construction

Residential Construction I Certifcate

Cabinetmaking/Millwork Systems TechnologyAdvanced Certifcate

Residential Construction IIAdvanced Certifcate

Residential Construction Associate in Science

Welding and Fabrication

Welding Certifcate

Welding Mechanics Advanced Certifcate

Welding Associate in Applied Science

Related Options

Management Supervision Advanced Certif- cate–See School o Business and Entrepre- neurial Studies

Management Supervision Associate in Applied Science– See School o Business and Entre- preneurial Studies

Planning to transer? Talk to a WCC counselor about the College’s wide range o transer and articulation agreements with our-year institutions.


Construction Managers–$82,330*Carpenters–$39,470*

Heating, Air Conditioning and RerigMechanics–$41,100*

Welders, Cutters, Solderers or Braze

See the video

See the video


http://www4.wccnet.edu/academicinfo/creditofferings/programs/schools.php?code=SBES

http://www4.wccnet.edu/academicinfo/creditofferings/programs/schools.php?code=SCCP

http://www4.wccnet.edu/academicinfo/creditofferings/programs/schools.php?code=SCT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJoIria-yK0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VczKa4qa7Go

http://www.wccnet.edu/academicinfo/creditofferings/programs/schools.php











734-973-3543 I Washtenaw Community College I www.wccnet.edu CareerFocus I Spring /Summe


School of Digital Media ArtsCreativity abounds in the School o DigitalMedia Arts which encompasses the disci-plines of animation, graphic design, Internetproessional, photography and video. Theseprograms introduce students to ounda-tional skills and prepare them or creativejobs using those skills.

3-D Animation3-D Animation Associate in Applied

Science

Digital VideoDigital Video Film Production Certifcate

Digital Video Production Associate in Art

Graphic DesignGraphic Design Certifcate

Graphic Design Associate inApplied Science

Internet ProfessionalWeb Technology Certifcate

Web Application DeveloperAdvanced Certifcate

Web Graphic Design Advanced Certifcate

Web User Experience Advanced Certifcate

PhotographyPhotographic Imaging Certifcate

Photographic Technology Associate inApplied Science

Related OptionsInternet Proessional AA Degree–See Transer and University Parallel Programs

Planning to transer? Talk to a WCC counsel- or about the College’s wide range o transer and articulation agreements with our-year institutions.


Multi-Media Artists and Animators–

Television, Video or Motion PictureOperators–$42,940*

Film and Video Editors–$50,790*

Graphic Designers–$43,180*

Art Directors–$78,580*

Photographers–$29,770*

Web Designers–The middle 50 perbetween $55,230 and $72,236**

School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality ManagementFind your passion in ood, riends andelegant surroundings. Develop skills or anentry-level position in restaurant, hospitalityor institutional settings. Whether your inter-ests lie in pastry and wedding cakes, oodpreparation and marketing or managemento ood service, these are the programsor you.

Baking and Pastry Certifcate

Culinary Arts Certifcate

Hospitality Management Certifcate

Culinary and Hospitality ManagementAssociate in Applied Science

Related OptionsManagement Supervision Advanced Certifcate–See School o Business and Entrepreneurial Studies Management Supervision Associate in Applied Science–See School o Business and Entrepreneurial Studies Occupational Studies–See School o Apprenticeship Studies

Planning to transer? Talk to a WCC counselor about the College’s wide range o transer and

articulation agreements with our-year institutions.


Food Service Managers–$47,210*

Ches and Head Cooks–$40,090*

School of Criminal Justice and Law EnforcementDevelop the skills and knowledge necessaryor work in law enorcement and criminaljustice. Completion o the Police AcademyCertifcate prepares you to take the examnecessary or a career as a police ofcer.

Police Academy Certifcate

Criminal Justice/Law EnorcementAssociate in Applied Science

Related OptionsCriminal Justice Associate in Art–See Transer and University Parallel Programs



Police and Sheri Patrol Ofcers–$

Correctional Ofcers–$39,050**

Washtenaw Community College is accredited by

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Centr al Association230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500

Chicago, Illinois 6 0604-1413

312.263.0456

www.ncahlc.org

For information on Washtenaw Community College, visit www.wccnet.edu, or call 734-9

Washtenaw Community College ADA/EEO/Title IX/Section 504 Compliance StatementsWashtenaw Community College does not discriminate on the basis o race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in provision o its educational programs and services or in employment opportunities and beneits. WCC is committed to compliance in all

o its activities and services with the requirements o Title IX o the Educational Amendments o 1972, Public Act 453, Section 504 o the Rehabilitation Act o 1973, Title VII o the Civil Rights Act o 1964 as amended, Public Act 220, and the Americans with Disabilities Act o 1990.

Inquiries concerning programs and services under Title IX and Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act should be directed to the Oice o the Associate Vice President o Student Services, Room SC 275A, Student Center Building, 734-973-3536. Inquiries regarding compliance in employment should be directed to the College Airmative Action Oicer in the Oice o Human Resource Management, Room 120, Business Education Building, 734- 973-3497. Inquiries concerning access to acilities should be directed to the Director o Plant Operations, Plant Operations Building, 734-677-5300.

Title II Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act Compliance Statement

The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act o 1990 is a ederal law that mandates the disclosure by all institutions o higher education o the rates o graduation, the number o incidents o certain criminal oenses, and the deault rate or student loans. The law also mandates that inormation be provide d on the type o security provided on campus, the pertinent policies regarding security on campus, and policies that record and deal with alcohol and drug abuse. Washtenaw Community College is in ull compliance with these provisions and provides the required inormation annually through college publications. Inquiries concerning the Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act should be directed to Washtenaw Community College, Oice o the Associate Vice President o Student Services, Room SC 275A, Student Center Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (telephone 734-973-3536).

WCC is a smoke-free campus.

See the video

See the video

See the video




























School of Information Technology


Network Systems and Data CommunAnalysts– $73,250*

Computer Programmers–$70,940*

Java Developers–The middle 50 percbetween $66,702 and $89,122**

Computer Systems Analysts–$77,08

Network and Computer SystemsAdministrators–$67,710*

The School of Applied InformationTechnology gathers the diverse areas thatmake up the computer technology of today.From basic programming languages tosystems development through networking,these programs provide the core of informa-tion technology. Develop skills in computersecurity or data recovery and analysis. Thegrowing field of applied information technol-ogy is waiting for you.

NetworkingComputer Systems Technology Certifcate

Computer Networking Academy IAdvanced Certifcate

Computer Networking Operating Systems IAdvanced Certifcate

Computer Networking Associate in

Applied Science

ProgrammingFoundations o Inormation

Systems CertifcateC++ Programming Advanced Certifcate

Programming in Java Advanced CertifcateComputer Science: Programming in

Java Associate in Science

Inormation Systems: Programming in C++Associate in Science

Computer Security and Data AnalysisFoundations o Computer

Security Certifcate

Network Security Advanced Certifcate

Computer Systems Security Associate inApplied Science

Systems Development andAdministration .

Linux/Unix Systems I Certifcate

Related OptionsComputer Science Transfer AS Degree,Information Systems Transfer AS Degree,Mathematics and Computer Science AS Degree– See Transfer and University Parallel Programs

Planning to transfer? Talk to a WCC counselor about the College’s wide range of transfer and articulation agreements with four-year institutions.

20 I Spring/Summer 2011 I CareerFocus Washtenaw Community College I www.wccnet.edu I 734-


School of Music and Performing ArtsStudents learn basic creative and perfor-mance skills in music, drama and danceand how they are applied in a professionalsetting. Whether you are exploring your owntalents, coordinating the talents of others,or practicing the techniques you will needto make a living at your craft, the Schoolof Music and Performing Arts provides thefundamentals you need.

Music and Performing Arts≠≠≠Music Production/Engineering Certifcate

Planning to transfer? Talk to a WCC counselor about the College’s wide range of transfer and articulation agreements with four-year institutions.


Musicians and Singers–$22.36/hr*

Sound Engineering Technicians–$4

See the video

What is the National Median Salary?

CareerFocus uses salary inormation rom theU.S. Bureau o Labor Statistics and Salary.com unless noted otherwise. These fgures repre-sent the national midpoint earnings or each

job description. This means that hal the U.S.employees surveyed in a particular occupationearn less than this fgure and hal earn more.

Individual salaries vary based on the region,the size o the employer and the employee’seducation, experience and skill level. Youcan research your potential salary at Salary.

com , The Occupational Outlook Hthe U.S. Bureau o Labor Statis(www.bls.gov ) or by checking withal organizations and local employe

http://www4.wccnet.edu/academicinfo/creditofferings/programs/schools.php?code=SIT


http://www4.wccnet.edu/academicinfo/creditofferings/programs/schools.php?code=SMPA

http://22.0.0.36/hr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwkxszbjvbY

http://salary.com/

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Transfer and University Parallel Programs

National Median SalariesAccountants or Auditors–$60,340*

Wholesale and Retail Buyers–$48,650

Administrative Services Managers–$7

Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle and School Teachers–rom $47,830 to $52

Engineers–rom $68,730 to $108,020*

Physicians or Surgeons–rom $152,240$200,000*

Social Workers–rom $38,200 to $49,

If your goal is to continue your educationtoward a baccalaureate degree, then theTranser and University Parallel program isthe track or you. Complete the frst two years

o study in a supportive environment withsmall classes and personal attention.

BusinessBusiness Associate in Art

Computer Science

Math and Science Associate in ScienceProgramming Java Associate in Science

Inormation Systems: Programming in C++

Associate in Science

Criminal JusticeCriminal Justice Associate in Art

EducationElementary Education Associate in Art

Secondary Education Associate in Art

Exercise ScienceExercise Science Associate in Science

Internet ProfessionalInternet Proessional Associate in Art

Liberal Arts TransferLiberal Arts Transer Associate in Art

Math and Science

Environmental Science Associatein Science

General Studies in Math and NaturalScience Associate in Science

Math and Science-Math ConcentrationAssociate in Science

Pre-Engineering/Physics Associatein Science

Pre-Medicine/Biology Associatein Science

Pre-Medicine/Chemistry Associatein Science

Social WorkHuman Services Associate in Art

Talk to a WCC counselor about the College’s wide range o transer and articulation agreements with our-year institutions.

School of Nursing and Health SciencesFind your place in the growing feld o health-care. Whether your interest lies in the tradi-tional feld o nursing or the physical therapistassistant program, the School o Nursing andHealth Sciences provides a variety programsdesigned to prepare students or entry-levelpositions in dental assisting, pharmacy tech-nology, radiography, physical therapist assis-tant, nursing assistant or proessional nursing.

Dental AssistingDental Assisting Certifcate

Health Care FoundationsHealth Care Foundations Certifcate

NursingNursing Assistant Skills Training

Certifcate o Completion

Nursing Transer EMU School o NursingAssociate in Applied Science

Nursing Transer U-M School o Nursing

Associate in Applied Science

Registered Nursing Associate inApplied Science

Pharmacy TechnologyPharmacy Technology Certifcate

Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant Associate inApplied Science

RadiographyRadiography Associate in Applied Science

Related Options

Management Supervision Advanced Certif- cate–See School o Business and Entrepre-

neurial Studies Management Supervision Associate in Applied Science– See School o Business and Entre- preneurial Studies



Dental Assistants– $33,230*

Nursing Aides, Orderlies or Attendants

Registered Nurses–$63,750*

Pharmacy Aides–$20,800*

Physical Therapist Assistants–$48,290

Radiologic Technologists andTechnicians–$53,240*

734-973-3543 I Washtenaw Community College I www.wccnet.edu CareerFocus I Spring /Summe


School of Professional CommunicationWe live in an age o communication. TheSchool o Proessional Communication is hereto serve those who want to develop skills in

radio broadcast, technical writing or in print andonline journalism.

Broadcast ArtsBroadcast Arts Associate in Art

Professional WritingTechnical Writing Associate in

Science Degree

Journalism Associate in Arts Degree

Technical Writing Certifcate

Technical Writing Associate in Arts Degree



Radio and Television Announcers–$2

Reporters and Correspondents –$34,

Technical Writers–$62,730*

Writers and Authors–$53,900*

See the video












http://www.bls.gov/

http://salary.com/

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31 languages available

RosetaSone is one o he mos popular languageimmersion producs on he marke. You’ll acquire newlanguage skills easily and naurally by pairing wordswih images. Using ineracive sofware, you’ll learn opronounce new words and phrases and undersandheir meaning – wihou memorizing. Soon you’ll bespeaking a whole new language!

• Convenientself-pacedprogramtsyourbusyschedule

• Interactivesowareallowsyoutolearnandpractice

compleely online•CompatiblewithWindowsandMacoperatingsystem

For more information, go to wccnet.edu/lifelong-learning and search Languages.

@WCC

Personal Enrichment. Professional Development.

Learn from the best

Language Courses at WCC

Who knew that learning could be so much fun? 20 exciting classes for teens onlydiscover something interesting, brush up on your skills, meet new people and havtime. This program was so successful, we’re offering it again!

You can pick from classes in: Visual and studio arts – photography, drawing, painting, pottery, jewelry ma

Music and theater – acting, guitar, rock band

Writing – graphic novel, playwriting

Cooking – brownies, donuts, cookies, cakes, pizza

Adventure – geocaching

“Real life” skills – babysitting, money management

Teens on Campus is for teens entering grades 6–12 unless otherwise noted.

Information/Registrationwww.wccnet.edu/teensoncampus

REGISTRATIONBEGINSMARCH 28

TEENS ON CAMPUS Totally for Teens–entering grades 6–12

Back by popular demand!

2O11

WCC Foundation

Annual Jerry Jernigan

Memorial

Golf Outin August 22

Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center

Washtenaw County

www.wccnet.edu/foundation

To sponsor or play call 734-973-3

http://wccnet.edu/lifelong-learning

http://www.wccnet.edu/teensoncampus

http://www.wccnet.edu/foundation






734-973-3543 I Washtenaw Community College I www.wccnet.edu CareerFocus I Spring/Summer


Washtenaw Community College

and Nonproft Showcase

Tuesday

1 – 4 p.m. Morris Lawrence Buildingon the WCC campus

MARCH22

JOB FAIR• 60 employers hiring for open positions

• 20 nonprot organizations withinformation about the services and

resources they provide

For more informatiocontact WCC’s

Employment ServiceCenter 734-677-5155

Dress or success

bring plenty o rés

Find a list of participating employers at:www.wccnet.edu/studentservices/otherservices/advising/counseling/emp_jobfair.p

FREE Open to the pu

Shop at Campus Book and Supp

• Academically priced full-version

software with ID

• Reference books, Study aids

• Daily student book buy back

• College clothing, gifts, cards

1078 Huron River Drive, YpsilantiEastern Plaza, next to McDonalds (only minutes fromTextbooks for all classes at

Washtenaw Community College and

Eastern Michigan University

www.campusbooksupply

Focus on Textbook(but spend less $!)










www.sienaheights.edu

SIENA HEIGHTS UNIVERSIT

Contact Us Today!Distance Learning Programs

Phone: (866) 937-2748

Email: [email protected]

We Are . . . One Click AwSiena Heights University is a leading provider o distance educa

oering a Bachelor o Applied Science, Bachelor o Business

Administration and a Bachelor o Arts in Multidisciplinary Stud

degree. We have classes available in an 8-week completely onlormat and a fexible schedule that works or you!

“Cleary’s programs improved both my

professional skills and my career options.”

Cleary, one of America’s foremost applied-

business universities, offers many efficient,

flexible and affordable BBA and MBA programs

that can provide you with a competitive

advantage in today’s domestic

and/or global business

environments. Learn about

all of Cleary’s BIG benefits

at whycleary.com

OptionsMOREAnother BIG Cleary Benefit

Real Business…for Real Life

AMBITION

EDUCATE YOUR

C O N C O R D I A U N I V E R S I T Y A N N A R B O R

Dedicated to Excellence

• Low 14:1 student to faculty ratio

• 98% of students receive financial aid

• Academic, athletic, fine art & leadershipscholarships available

• National and international internships

• Study abroad: England, Italy, Spain & more

• The Concordia Cardinals are members ofthe NAIA Division II WHAC Conference

It’s time to explore the opportunities that await you at Concordia.

Educate your ambition, fuel your passions, and be the voice!

You have unique God-given talents, passions,

skills and interests. Our mission is simple: we help

you find your place, your voice in the world.

Be the teacher, be the scientist, be the musician,

be the artist, be the business leader... Concordia’s

programs are founded on strong student/faculty

relationships, individualized instruction, and

an education to go as far as your talents and

determination will take you.

ACADEMICS FAITH EXPLORATION COMMUNITY CHARACTER

1.888.282.2338 • WWW.CUAA.EDU

4090 GEDDES ROAD • ANN ARBOR, MI

SCHEDULE A CAMPUS VISIT

WWW.CUAA.EDU/CAMPUSVISIT

Office of Admission

734-995-7322 • [email protected]



WCC SPRING/SUMMER 20

Check out traditional, weekend, blendand online classes

lable online only: go to www.wccnet.edu/schedule

Registration

Starts March for new students

Classes start May 9,May 31 and June 15

Don’t Get Dropped!Pay by April 14 to keep your seat

Pay the day of registration after April

• Free health and ftness classesincluding yoga, Pilates and spinning

• A walking/jogging track

• Free weights, resistance and

cardiovascular training equipment• A large lap pool and a warm

therapeutic pool with wheelchairaccess

• Spacious locker rooms with whirlpools,steam, sauna and massage

• Free parking...and much more!

“The Health & Fitness Centeris a true community resource.From the variety o ree classes

oered every day, to the certi-ied personal trainers, to theon-site childcare, this centermeets all my ftness needs.”

Kim, Ann Arbor

LIVE LIFE TO THE FITTEST

You’ll fnd a 75,000 sq. t. acility with open spaces and spectacular views.It’s beautiul. It’s riendly. It’s a great place to get healthy and ft.

Discounts available or groups o 5 or more people.For more inormation, or to join, call (734) 975-9950 or visit www.wccftness.org

The Health & Fitness Centerat Washtenaw Community College

For dates, times, and locations of classesAvailable online only: go towww.wccnet.edu/schedule

YEARS

G I VIN G O P P

O R T U N I T I E

S • G I V I N G O

P P O R T U N

I T I E

S •

New WCC Alum Association Websalumni.wccnet.edu

•Connectwithclassmates.

•Takeadvantageofcareercounselingandjobfair

•CheckoutnewWCCprogramsandclasses.

•Enjoyalumniperkslikediscountedeventticketsandmuchmore.

Distinguished Alumnus AwardThisannualawardrecognizesWCCalumniwhohasignificantcontributionsintheirfieldsandinthecom

Tolearnmoreabouttheaward,includingeligibilityandtogetanonlineapplicationform,gotoalumni.wc

Visit the new WCC Alumni Association

website at alumni.wccnet.edu to learn

For more information call 734-973-3665

or visit wccnet.edu/foundation



NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SITUATION,WCC WILL MAKE COLLEGE WORK FOR YOU.

Mix and match these scheduling options to fit your unique lifesty

BLENDEDThe perfect balance – online and oncampus, in most cases you’ll meet in

class only once a week.

TRADITIONALImmerse yourself in the familiarworld of weekday classes.

ONLINEExperience a 100% interactive onlinelearning experience from the comfort

of your home.

WEEKENDWe’ve rearranged class times tomaximize your Saturday and Sundayschedule.

EXTENSIONWCC brings college to you in BrigHartland and Dexter. EVENINGMake every hour count. Your daywell beyond 5 p.m., so do your soptions.

F i f ti ll 734 973 35

FIVE REASONS TO TAKE ONLINE COURSES AT W

VARIETYNearly 40 online and blended classes offered this spring/summersemester, ranging from general education to program-specic courses.

QUALITYClasses are designed to accommodate multiple learning styles, andstudents do well academically. Online students must be well organized,motivated, and comfortable using computer technology.

COST SAVINGSStudents beat high gas prices when they don’t have to come to classevery day.

FLEXIBILITYStudents choose fully online or blended courses. Some like completeindependence; others like weekly support and guidance from instructorsand fellow students.

CONVENIENCEStudy where you want, when you want. Both online and blended classeswork for families, people with jobs, or those who like the freedom ofplanning their own study schedule.

CareerFocus

4800 East Huron River DriveAnn Arbor Michigan 48105-4800

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Documents

WCC Career Focus Magazine: Spring Summer 2011