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My Experiences And Why I Am Seeking a College Education:
I am 38 years old. I graduated high school in 1987. I lacked proper guidance growing up. Therefore, I did not realize the importance of continued education and put off going to college for nearly two years. After working various full time jobs during that time, I decided to enroll at Gadsden State Community College (GSCC). I attended GSCC part time from 1989 to 1991 while living on my own and working full time.
In 1991, I accepted a position with the Weaver Police Department as a law enforcement officer. I continued taking classes while adjusting to my new career in criminal justice. The demands on my time and the rotating shifts of police work forced me to temporarily give up attending college. Unfortunately, “temporarily” turned out to be 14 years. During the absence from school, I accepted employment with the Gadsden Police Department, got married and had two wonderful children.
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The Author - Gadsden Police Officer Days- Photo by Robert Griffith
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I have always worked with computers as a hobby ever since the first desktop machines entered the market during the early eighties. It became widely known at the police department that I knew more about working with computers than the average person. For that reason, I was appointed to oversee several projects to bring computerized information technology to the Gadsden Police Department. My employer sent me to several courses involving networking and system administration, which included all of the necessary coursework in order to obtain Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification. These courses were very expensive; therefore, the department required me to sign a work contract for 5 years.
Five years ago, I was assigned as the department’s first and only IT Manager. During the past few years, I have setup a network of computer workstations & servers, overseen the expenditures of over one million dollars for computer projects and equipment, created the department’s first web site, and personally involved the department in several programs that greatly benefit the employees today.
Even though I have experienced success in my chosen career, I realized that there was something missing in my life: a college degree. Two years ago I re-enrolled at GSCC full time with only one goal in mind: earn my college degree. In the first two semesters at GSCC, I made the Dean’s List one semester and the President’s List in the other. Now, I am only one course away from realizing my dream of earning a college degree. However, an Associate’s degree will not satisfy my thirst for knowledge. I am determined to receive high quality education from the most respected learning institution in this state, the University of Alabama, to help improve the quality of life for my family. Therefore, I enrolled at the University of Alabama in 2006 and have taken great strides towards earning my Bachelor of Science Degree through the university’s EXD program
The reason I have went into such great detail about my own experiences is because I feel that other people have experienced much of the same thing. The excuses for not starting or completing college are plentiful, but I am proof you can overcome them and become an educated person..
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