Random Thoughts & Bits of Wisdom on Education

Hi, I’m Jeanni Urbahns--just Jeanni will do. I work for Harrison College--did I mention we made the Indiana Best Places to Work list three years in a row?--and I think I have the coolest job ever. I get to represent the Harrison College Columbus, Indiana campus by being an active participant in the many great communities the Columbus Indiana College serves.

It’s not unusual to find me working with C4 students from Columbus East, Columbus North, Houser, Greensburg, Seymour, Brown County, Crothersville, Edinburgh, North Decatur, South Decatur, and McDowell Education Center high school students. You will also be sure to see me in February making my BIG COOKIE DROPS in Shelbyville, Waldron, Brownstown, Medora, and at Southwestern high school.


As a member of the Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy Foundation and a supporter of Atterbury Job Corps, I am able to assist many young people in understanding career development assistance, Indiana financial aid, Indiana scholarships, and the overall importance education plays in SUCCESS.

I also work with many adult learners by promoting Harrison College adult education programs designed to promote career advancement. In that capacity you can also find me at many of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce events or holding seminars at the Harrison College Columbus campus or the local library. I am a strong believer in people and thus promote the skills-based resume to job seekers of all ages in many of my workshops.

Occasionally you may spot an article or two from me in local publications like The Republic, Hope Star Journal, North Vernon Plain Dealer & Sun, or The Jackson County Banner.

I might also add that I am an Indiana Business College graduate from, well, let’s just say a few years back. Of all of the Columbus Indiana Colleges I found the right fit in the Columbus campus and am happy to play a role in bringing the same great customer service I received as a student to our students today.

Did you know that Harrison College campuses utilize local advisory boards? It’s true, as career specific educators we find it very helpful to call upon local professionals so that we can keep our fingers on the pulse of local employment needs and opportunities as they relate to our students and graduates.

The Harrison College Columbus Indiana college campus recently held our semiannual advisory board meeting to discuss various programs. We asked advisory board members for suggestions for other adult education programs that they felt would be valuable in Columbus and surrounding communities. A couple of suggestions were degree programs in logistics and information technology. Information technology security degrees were also a very hot topic as the world and businesses become more and more technology based every day.

Other topics discussed were current curriculum and ways to measure student learning outcomes in all degree programs.

Working with local professionals gives Harrison College an edge when it comes to offering relevant degrees for local students wishing to remain in the area after graduation. The input of the following advisers was invaluable.

Pet Burgmeier, CEO, Insulation Marketing
Janene Stotts, President, Engineering Resource Division, LHP Software
Melinda Burton, Business Secretary, Columbus City Utilities
Denise Wirrig, Reference Librarian, Bartholomew County Public Library
Don Taylor, Owner, DR Taylor and Associates
Sam Aulick, Sales Manager, Lemley’s Catering
Lu Backensto, HR Director, Furecia
Joy Crandol, Practice Manager, Wellspring Pain Solutions

If you would like to be a part of a Harrison College Advisory Board, contact the Harrison College nearest you.

If you would like more information about the current degree offerings and campus locations, check us out online.

Harrison College currently offers the following degrees through the Harrison College School of Information Technology at the Indianapolis Northwest campus:  Help Desk Technician certificate program, Network Administration- A.A.S., and Information Technology  B.S.
 

When I first started looking for a college, I remember talking to a rep from a different school on the phone and the approach they took to trying to enroll me seemed more of a hassle than helpful. Then I got a call from Matt King, an admissions representative at Harrison College. Right away I was excited and eager to come to Harrison (then Indiana Business College) and find out what it was all about. As soon as I walked through the door I felt at ease and at home. The whole enrollment process was not frustrating at all. At the time, I did not realize Harrison was a private school and that tuition was more than other community colleges in the area, but even after comparing costs, I saw the value of being in a college that supported my goals and provided service directly to me. Everyone at Harrison made me feel welcome and relaxed my first few visits. This is something that is very hard to find now-a-days.
 
Now a graduate of Harrison College, I can give plenty of reasons why I chose this school over any other. Here are just a few:

• The communication between staff, instructors, and students is awesome, and that interaction is a big added value to me personally.
• They teach you how to network, work in teams, and overcome anything that comes your way.
• All of the instructors and staff are willing to help (or point you in the right direction) if you are struggling with a class.
• If you have a problem they listen, much like a friend would, and truly care about each and every student as a person.

Harrison is my other family! My time at Harrison has broken me out of my shell; I am no longer shy and intimidated. I love Harrison so much that I am staying to pursue my third degree in Business and even plan to go on to earn my Masters degree someday.
 
Harrison College has helped me become the person I was always meant to be.


Rebeca Pebley is an active member in the Harrison College Student Government Association at the Columbus Indiana college campus and an active supporter of the college and the community.

When was the last time you sat down and wrote a letter to someone? Does anyone have an old-fashioned pen pal these days? What about with our kids? Do we stand over them like our parents did, making them write thank you notes for gifts received?

While these practices seem like a thing of the past, one very important step in the job search that should not be ignored is writing a thank you note after an interview.

According to a number of studies, less than 10% of job seekers take the time to send a thank you note, even though employers expect that applicants take the time to do so.

When hiring managers were asked "How important is it for a job candidate to send a thank you note after the interview?" The result was as follows: 29% said it's extremely important, 41% said it's somewhat important and 20% said it is not important at all.

Now, I would say that in our area, with employers whom I work, those percentages are even higher. The biggest reason being, they have come to expect thank you notes from Harrison College graduates. Consistently, employers, HR managers, practice manager, and many others, tell me that our grads are among the few applicants who take the time to send a thank you note after an interview. This warms my heart as a Career Services professional and an educator!

The biggest question I am asked is: “What do I write?”

Here is one great example that would easily fit on any thank you card:

Dear Mrs. Miller:

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me about the Medical Assistant position with Columbus Medical.

This position seems like a very good match for my skills and competencies. I was impressed with your practice’s energy and overall positive attitude. I would definitely enjoy being a part of that, and know I could contribute to the group.

I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Katie Jones

“Sending a thank you note demonstrates that you are good with people. You employ the most basic of people skills---a show of gratitude”             - Author Unknown
 

Melissa Barnett is the Director of Career Services at the Harrison College Columbus Indiana college campus. For over three years, Melissa has worked with adult education students and graduates pursuing careers in Medical Assistant, Business Management, Accounting, and Medical Reimbursement Technology. Having a career services professional on staff to provide exceptional service to both student and past graduates sets Harrison College apart.

If you are interested in a learning more about Harrison College and the career services provided to graduates for their lifetime, contact us now.
 

Did you know that around 4.6 million people in the United States have learning disabilities? If you have been diagnosed with a learning disability, take note of people like Tom Cruise, Thomas Edison, Beethoven, John F. Kennedy and Agatha Christie—they each overcame some form of learning disability and achieved success.

Examples of common learning disabilities are Dyslexia—a reading disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)— an inability to stay still or focused for prolonged periods of time, and Dysphasia—a writing disability.

According to the National Longitudinal Transition Study, only 13% of the millions with learning disorders go to college. After all, to a person that had to struggle with classes in high school, college probably seems scary. But being successful in college and making good grades is definitely an option! It might take a little more dedication and you may have to work a little harder, but it will be well worth it!

There are a few things that a student with a learning disorder can do to increase your chance of being successful.
• Use the services your college provides for you. Upon proper documentation, colleges like Harrison College can provide accommodations for students with learning disorders.  Such as:

o The use of tape recorders for note taking
o Extended time for taking tests
o Free tutoring
o Test taking in an environment with few distractions

• Show up to class. Attendance is very important. If you attend every class on time, it will be hard to fall behind.

• Stay organized. Keep a calendar with your schedule, due dates for homework and project deadlines. Do your homework in a timely manner and do not procrastinate. This way, if there are issues, you have time to complete your assignment or to get help. The more organized you are, the more focused you will be.

• Join a study group or have a study buddy. This will keep you on track and you have someone to compare notes with and ask questions.

• Communication is key to success. Let your teachers know that you may need some extra help. Don’t wait until you are failing to reach out for help.

The important thing to remember is just because you have a different style of learning doesn’t mean you can’t be successful in class. Most colleges, like Harrison College, are willing to work with you, if you let them know your situation and provide proper documentation. Don’t suffer in silence. Take advantage of every opportunity you are given. Everyone has obstacles. You just have to jump over them and keep going!

Jackie Griffith is a graduate of the Harrison College Columbus Indiana college campus. While a student in an adult education program, Jackie realized that she wanted to be part of the admissions process and now assists others seeking education for career advancement and skills training in reaching their goal.

Click here to see what Harrison College has to offer you.
 

Although many servicemen and women have educational benefits resulting from their service, it’s not always enough to fully cover the cost of a post-secondary education. That is why Imagine America created the Military Award Program (MAP) to award a $1000 scholarship to assist in funding a college education through a career college. The MAP is available to any qualified active duty, reservist, honorably discharged or retired veteran of a United States military service branch for attendance at a participating career college.

Prospective MAP applicants must meet the following guidelines to apply:
 

• Be enrolling into a participating college
• Active duty, reservist, honorably discharged or retired veteran of the United States military
• Likelihood of enrolling and successfully completing post secondary education
• Not be a previous recipient of any other Imagine America Foundation scholarships/awards
• Financial need

Harrison College, an Indiana career college, specializes in providing career-specific education that can often assist in helping former military members transition from military to civilian life by increasing employability or providing career advancement assistance. Harrison College has also been recognized as a military-friendly school and offers tuition benefits for current and past members of the military.

If you are not sure if a career college is right for you, contact us to find out about the many benefits Harrison College provides to our students to help them reach their personal and educational goals. Services like free tutoring, flexible scheduling, and Student Resource Services, a FREE resource designed specifically to aid students in overcoming challenges they may face during the pursuit of their degree.

I recently stumbled across an article, 7 Tips for Adult Learners, by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. The first tip offered by Ms. Pawlik-Kienlen is to acknowledge discomfort. At first I thought that was an odd tip, then I really thought about the meaning behind the student orientations held at Harrison College.

As a student, I didn’t realize how important the required orientations were for my success. However, looking back, I see how that orientation helped me build my comfort level and improve my odds of being successful as an adult student.

Often students enrolling in an adult education program worry that they may not be able to juggle the many responsibilities they have along with classes and homework. Sometimes they worry that there will not be other students like them. Attending an orientation can help to put some of these fears to rest.

Here are a few reasons new students should attend orientations:

• Become more familiar with the physical surroundings

• Meet new people—this will include staff and faculty members AND other new students. You never know, you may be sitting next to someone who will be a good friend and your cheerleader when you do face challenges during your education.

• Gain a better understanding of school policies

Harrison College is an Indiana career college and a college for working adults. Flexible scheduling, one-on-one financial aid assistance, and career development assistance are just a few of the benefits our students enjoy. If you are considering becoming an adult learner and reaching your career and educational goals, contact Harrison College to find out how we can help.

As an adult student, you may not realize how many scholarships are available to help fund your education when you enroll in an adult education program. For example, you may qualify for the Imagine America Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP) to assist in paying for your education. This scholarship was founded in 2008 to assist non-tradition students reach their education and career goals.

To qualify for the Imagine America ASEP the student must:

• Be enrolled in a participating career college
• Have met eligibility requirements of the college
• Be a US citizen or permanent resident of the US
• Be 21 years of age or older
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Not have been a previous recipient of any other Imagine America scholarships
• Complete the NCCT Educational Success Potential Assessment

If you believe you might qualify for the ASEP scholarship, you can complete the application online at imagine-america.org.

If you are not already enrolled in a career college or if you are not sure if a career college is right for you, contact Harrison College to learn more about the many benefits associated with a career-specific education. Ask us about flexible schedules, Indiana scholarships and the student-centered education provided at Harrison College because they are just a few reasons our adult students say they have chosen us for their career advancement needs.

The Imagine America Scholarship for recent high school graduates began in 1998. This $1000 scholarship is awarded to assist in funding the student’s education at a participating career college. Harrison College, an Indiana accredited college, has been a participating college for many years.

In order to apply for the Imagine America scholarship, students must meet the following criteria.

• Recent high school graduate intending to seek admission to a career college
• A GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Show likelihood of successfully completing a college education
• Have a financial need
• Show voluntary community service during the senior year of high school

If you meet these qualifications, you can apply online now at imagine-america.org. Be prepared to supply the name, address, and phone number of your high school and your guidance counselors name and email address.

Not sure if a career college is right for you? Find out more about the benefits of a degree from a career college by visiting the Harrison College web site or contacting the campus nearest you.

Are you looking for a way to fund your college education? If so, consider researching things like Indiana scholarships and private scholarships. If you are considering attending an Indiana career college, you will want to check out the Imagine America scholarships. Imagine America provides scholarships for students who have chosen to seek an education that will lead to a career.

Harrison College is the only Columbus Indiana college that awards the Imagine America scholarships. Traditionally these scholarships have been awarded to recent high school graduates, but now there are Imagine America scholarship opportunities for students entering adult education programs and for those who have served in the military. Read about each of these scholarships now or come back and read about them in my blog. I will discuss each of them in the three blog entries that follow this one.

Contact Harrison College to learn more about why a career college can be the best answer to reaching your educational and career goals. And while you are talking with an admissions representative, ask them about Imagine America scholarships and other scholarships our students have received to help them reach their goals.
 

Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with Harrison College Columbus Indiana college campus student Ashley Carlock. Ashley is pursuing a degree in Medical Assistant and is nearing the end of her program.

Ashley started classes in 2006 but left to attend another college 9 months into her program. I remembered her leaving and asked her why she left and why she came back to complete her degree in 2009. Here is a little bit of what she shared with me in regards to her decision.

"I left because I thought that I could get the same education for less money. What I found was that there is a lot more to a college education than the cost. I found that many of the classes I took at the other college had 35 to 40 students in them. I realized how much I valued the small class sizes at Harrison College because I like the personal attention I could get from my instructors when I didn’t have to compete with so many other students for their attention. At one point I had to have surgery, and it really seemed like the teachers did not want to recognize that real life happens. I know at Harrison College I would have been treated better during that difficult time and that the staff and faculty would have had suggestions on how I could overcome some of the obstacles I faced to be more successful. I also missed the one-on-one financial aid I received at Harrison College. There came a point when I really just had to stop and think about what kind of environment was going to allow me to learn better and reach my career goal. That environment is exactly what I had at Harrison College so it made sense to come back to complete my degree. I realized that the value I found at Harrison College was service, quality eduction, and a degree faster so that I could go out and work in the medical field sooner. That is worth so much to me.”

Ashley is a new mom and takes a lot of pride in the fact that she has been able to spend the quality time with her son, Lucas, hold down a part-time job, and continue her education.  She is proud to be a role model for her family and looks forward to a career working in a local physician’s office before returning to college to pursue an RN degree after she has some working experience in the medical field.
 

Summer is almost here, but college classes beginning in the fall are really only just a few months away. Are you ready?

If you answered no and you are a Twenty-first Century Scholar, you may be able to find assistance through the Gear Up Scholarship. Gear Up is an Indiana scholarship designed to assist new high school grads preparing to attend their first year of college OR scholars just completing their freshman year.

The Gear Up Scholarship can provide up to $1500 toward summer courses. Qualifying courses include college prep classes, pre-requisite courses, or required courses. This is a non-renewable scholarship for eligible Twenty-first Century Scholars.

Apply now, the deadline is May 31, 2010.

Harrison College welcomes Twenty-first Century Scholars and provides various services like free tutoring assistance and Student Resource Services to help them succeed.  Interested to learn more? Contact the Harrison College nearest you.
 

Career advancement is what we all want, but what if you are not working right now? In that case, just finding a career position is your priority.

I recall starting my search for a career position while completing my degree in Business Administration at Harrison College, then known as Indiana Business College. I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do and where my talents were strongest, but I didn’t have a clue as to how to really find or secure my dream position. That’s where the Career Development class came in. I learned how to search for positions in my field, research companies in the area, interview with confidence, and follow up for maximum effectiveness.

Recently I came across the article 7 Little-Known Reasons You’re Not Getting Hired by author Karen Burns. The advice that Ms. Burns gives reminds me of some of the advice we received as soon-to-be graduates and I felt it was good enough to pass along to others. Several of these common sense tips could be the key to being employed in the position you really want.

The career development assistance that I received has helped me in securing the professional positions I have held over the years. I have always felt that I have an edge over other applicants having been trained in the art of finding and getting the career positions I wanted. If you are struggling in your job search and you know that the key to finding that long-term career position is an education, contact Harrison College. As an Indiana accredited college, Harrison College specializes in educating with a career goal in mind. With life-long employment assistance, graduates are able to maintain their edge when looking at making career changes.
 

I had a guest speaker in one of my classes recently who said something that truly stuck with me. She said that no matter what the question, the underlying question is always “Why should I hire you”? This makes a ton of sense, and I guess I knew it, but never really thought about it quite that way.

Think about it. What if they ask something simple like, “Tell me about yourself”, something common like, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”, or something more complex such as, “Tell me about a time when you had to work with a team to accomplish a task”?

What they really want to know is if you are the best candidate for the position. 

Unfortunately, job seekers struggle with the “Why should I hire you?” question. In turn, they struggle with the others as well. We have been conditioned from a young age to be humble and modest. When my daughter was little and someone said to her, “Little girl, you are so cute”, she would say “I know”. And, of course I would quickly correct her and tell her instead to say “Thank You”.

So, it stands to reason that we would, as adults, struggle with coming out of our comfort zone and really bragging on ourselves and our accomplishments.

However, there are a number of tools out there designed to help you tackle this tough question. A simple Google search of “sixty second sell” will direct you to a number of sites which explain how to write and deliver a convincing “self-sell” in about one minute.
It has been noted as one of the best tools out there to help you:

• Make the interview process easier
• Receive high ratings from the interviewers
• Streamline your response in an easy to remember way
• Avoid divulging personal details and stay on track

Amazon.com offers a book entitled, “Sixty Seconds and You’re Hired” by Robin Ryan, which further details how to use this one minute sound bite to your advantage. It’s inexpensive and an easy read that I have found to be extremely useful.

Interviewing is often a nerve wracking experience. We all want to make good impressions, and ultimately land the job of our dreams. The next time you are faced with the “Why Should I Hire You” question, remember the words of Lou Tice and “Waller in your successes like a pig in slop”! Step out of your comfort zone, don’t be so humble, and proudly tell them why you are the best candidate for the position.

Melissa Barnett, Director of Career Services at Harrison College, enjoys being a part of the adult education program and providing career development assistance to the students and past graduates at the Columbus Indiana college campus.

College students today have so many resources literally at their fingertips via the many online support tools colleges offer. One such tool offered to Harrison College students is a student email address. Not only is this email address considered “professional” enough to use on a job application, it is a secure method the college can use to deliver important information to students.
 

At the Harrison College Columbus Indiana college campus, we use student email to communicate a lot of things to our in-house students and those taking distance learning college courses. Read below a note written to our students from another student, Cynthia Villalobos. Cynthia has experienced how valuable checking her student email can be, and wants to encourage other students to do the same.

“Like all of you, I have heard  “check your email” from instructors, the financial aid department and my dean. Now I will be the first to admit that the first quarter of classes I did not check my email very often. During my second quarter I decided to make it a goal to check it at least 3 times a week. And thank goodness I did!

I happened to check my email on December 14th and saw an email from Kathy England, the Director of Financial Aid at the Columbus Indiana campus notifying me of a scholarship opportunity. The scholarship was through USA Funds and the email stated that the scholarship was for $1,500. Eagerly trying to find ways to save and make money to pay for college, I applied for the scholarship. On March 11th I received an email notifying me that I was one of the finalists! Even better, the email stated that there was an allotted $6000 to be given to the winner!
 

This opportunity would not have been available to me had Kathy England not emailed me and had I not checked my student email. Having now had this experience, I urge all students to check their student emails. You never know what great information you could be there!”

Thank you, Cynthia for sharing this story with everyone.


Cynthia is pursuing her degree in Medical Assistant and is in her third quarter of classes. She has taken classes both in-house and online and values the online resources available to her as a student at Harrison College.

Are you in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade this year? If so, you could be a candidate for the Twenty-first Century Scholars program. The Twenty-first Century Scholars program an Indiana scholarship that students are eligible to sign up for during their 6th, 7th, and 8th grade years.

Eligibility is based on household income—and in a tough economy; many students find that they qualify.  Twenty-first Century Scholars qualify for tuition assistance and many other added benefits at most Indiana accredited colleges—both public and private. A list of those colleges is available here.

Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Twenty-first Century Scholars program. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2010.

So, don’t delay, talk with your parents about the awesome opportunities a college education will provide for you years from now, and share with them that you could be able to get some great assistance through the Twenty-first Century Scholars program if you sign up now!

If you have questions or want assistance in completing your application, join us at the Harrison College Columbus Indiana college campus on Sunday, May 16th between 2PM and 4PM to complete your application online. Pat Ulm, Pupil Services at Schmitt Elementary School in Columbus, will be on hand to answer some of the most common questions parents and student often have regarding the Twenty-first Century Scholars program.

Those who attend will be registered to win a pair of Kings Island tickets too!
 

Harrison College Columbus Indiana college campus would like to invite all young adults to attend an open house scheduled for Sunday, May 16, 2010. Visit the Columbus campus located at 2222 Poshard, Drive, Columbus, IN between 2PM and 4PM for food, fun, and door prizes.

This will be a no-hassle, no-commitment casual event to give young adults, their families, and friends an opportunity to tour the campus, ask questions about the degree programs offered through Harrison College and learn more about how to pay for college—programs like the Harrison College Tuition Freeze Program, Federal Financial Aid, and Indiana scholarships available to college students.
 

Fast Track is the theme—after all, it is May in Indiana! AND, Harrison College is known for helping recent high school grads get on the fast track to a real career. We even offer the opportunity to earn credit by exam for some of our courses—FREE to those students who have just graduated from high school.
 

Our admissions team will be hosting an old fashioned hotdog cookout with chips, drinks, and cookies for everyone who attends.
 

Of course there will be door prizes too. If you call to let us know you will be attending, your name will be put in a special drawing for a pair of Kings Island tickets. Call the Columbus Indiana Harrison College at 812.379.9000 and let us know you will be attending—it is that simple.
 

Did you know that every July colleges across the nation increase the cost of their tuition? The high cost of education is the topic of many newscasts and stories every year. And it is not unusual that some people give up the hope of being able to attend college just based on the cost alone.

 

Harrison College wants to say STOP and RETHINK before you decide a college degree is out of your reach!

 

Having been an adult student myself, I understand the uncertainty many people have when it comes to making an investment in education. Despite what you may think, now is the right time to pursue a college degree.

Why NOW is the time to start college:

• Harrison College Tuition Freeze Program—Harrison College is the only local college prepared to reward your dedication to your education. Students who maintain their enrollment—either full or part time—will NOT experience an increase in their tuition in July!

• In-School Deferment—If you have student loans already you can place those loans into a deferment status. Simply put, this puts those loan payments on “hold” while you attend college. 

• Access to Student Resource Services (SRS)—SRS is a service provided to our student FREE OF CHARGE. Master degree counselors are available 24/7 to assist students regarding anything from time management to legal issues. SRS and the one-on-one assistance students receive via the faculty and staff at Harrison College provides the support and guidance many students appreciate in the journey to success.

• Employability— As the economy recovers, the demand for educated and skilled workers will increase. College graduates or soon-to-be college graduates will have the upper hand when seeking career positions. Also, as a Harrison College graduate you receive LIFE-LONG EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE from trained career professionals.

The first step to a brighter, more profitable future is contacting an admission representative at the Harrison College campus nearest you. After enrolling you will meet with a financial aid professional one-on-one. This is important because just as you are an individual so is your financial aid plan. In this meeting you will find out about financial aid and every question you have will be answered.

One thing I am sure of is that there is a financial plan for everyone and Harrison College can help you find yours!