My first foray into blogging. I plan to document my journey through being a Non Traditional Student returning to college after 30 years in the workforce. My name is Mike Dicianna, and I am a 53 year old returning college student in Oregon. This blog will try to help other returning Non Trad (re-tread) students in their quests as well. The term “non traditional ” is applied to the newest demographic in the academic world – the older, returning to school student. I didn’t know there was an actual classification for me, I just thought I was an old codger among all the other kids going to school. Looking around at my current institution, Linn Benton Community College in Albany, Oregon, I could see that I was definitely not alone. In searching the Internet, I found that the Non Traditional Student category is growing every year. With the current economic situation, I feel my group will be growing by leaps and bounds.
After being laid off in February 2009 from a business hurt by the economy, I quickly saw the job market in Oregon was very poor. I went to a “career fair” at my local community college and noticed that the group of folks my age outnumbered the “student” age kids by at least 4 to 1!! Spent some time with the college recruitment booth and started thinking….WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY the economic doldrums was to me!!
I attended community college back in 1978-1981 with a goal of getting a degree and starting my new life after separating from the USAF….Well, going to school full time and working full time was a real challenge….life has a way of getting in the way of your plans and school ended for me back then. Spending 30 years in the “working world” in a number of dead end careers led me to this point in my life.
I have always had regrets about not obtaining a college degree, I felt somehow unfulfilled and unfinished in my life. Reaching a lifelong goal at my age does give a sense of pride. I hope that my experience will inspire other folks out there in similar situations to take that step and go after the prize.
I hope you will check into this blog on a regular basis. I have many ideas of posts that will be of great help to Non Traditional Students all over the country. See you here regularly!
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