I graduated from high school in 1992. Many years past by when suddenly on a bright sunny day I decided it was time for me to go to college. When I called to inquire about school the representative asked if I wanted to go online on the campus. I went on campus because I was out of high school so many years and was afraid to take online classes. I truly enjoyed the campus experience, that’s something I will never forget. Being that I graduated in 1992 and didn’t start college until 2005, I had a lot of concerns. Some being if I could understand the material keep up with the fresh minds and would I be able to pass the classes. My concerns and questions were many. I attended the community college for three years. I loved the campus life and gravitated towards every opportunity that was granted to me. Fast forward to 2015 I’m back in college again seeking my bachelor’s degree and guess what taking online classes the entire time. I can confess that in the past online classes didn’t appeal to me, however the Baldridge Core Values and what they stood for has completely changed my mind. Baldrige Core Values has helped me to understand that although technology has improved they have all the support to help me and even as days go by and I doubt myself my school and professors have been very encouraging. Did I change or did the technology change and I had no choice? The answer was both and I’ve gained some life experience and confidence.
As an online college student, starting over again I constantly stayed in contact with most of my professors and academic success counselors. I grew to realize that my school actually meant their mission statement which is; our mission is to provide students with the knowledge, personal skills and experiences required to become leaders in their chosen careers. We prepare students to become confident, competent, and competitive participants in the global marketplace. At the beginning we were introduced to The Baldrige Core Values and what they stood for. The Baldrige Core Value ensures that everyone understands the mission and goals of the school. My professors and counselors made sure I knew what is expected of me to prepare for the course and they showed concern for my personal goals. There were a few incidents in which I had to call or email a professor to get clarity on an assignment to make sure I knew what to do to ensure I’m continuing to improvement.
I always been a thinker, but returning back to school has given me the opportunity to sharpen my critical thinking skills, and allows me to be more versatile in the employment industry. Baldrige Core Values speaks about how organizational learning includes continuous improvement of existing approaches and significant change or innovation. Over the years I’ve learned that our knowledge, skills and learning should be embedded in the way our job or school works. Also, that my success in the workforce depends on the opportunities for my own personal learning and skills.
In conclusion by furthering my education and focusing on my future, I’ve created value for myself and the company I work for. My education will allow me to make more money, build a better life for my family, better career opportunities, job security and my own personal development. The benefit of a higher education is growing faster every day. Having a college degree will also allow one to broaden their network. With that being said college is important for long term financial gain. With more jobs requiring advance education a college degree is critical in today’s workforce
