Annie Beurman
Reporting Correspondent
abeurma1@jccc.edu
With graduation just around the corner, a few students reflected on their time at the college and looked toward their futures.
“We currently have 1,497 students in the spring 2016 semester who have applied for graduation in an associate degree program,” said registrar Leslie Quinn.
Last year’s mascot and current student Noah Rochlitz has set his sights on becoming an actor after taking classes over the summer. Rochlitz plans to move to California, having already made a plan for himself, budget and all.
“I’ve just done behind-the-scenes stuff like camera work and sound and lighting with some friends, but I haven’t actually acted and that’s just what I want to do,” said Rochlitz.
Rochlitz enjoyed being the college mascot, even when he almost got trampled by little kids. Though he regrets not taking public speaking classes earlier on during his time at the college, he has thoroughly enjoyed the college experience.
Jonah O’Brien will be relying more on his skills rather than his degree when he begins looking for a job in computer programing. Leaving the college won’t be much of a change for O’Brien, having been homeschooled for most of his life.
Even without the experience of going to school, he appreciates the atmosphere, the people and the professors.
“I think my most memorable experience was when [I] and a group of my friends, we all linked arms and then we skipped through the halls singing Broadway tunes,” O’Brien said.
Once his time at the college ends, O’Brien plans to get an internship for the summer and pursue his career afterwards.
Emily Mosley, both a student and a police dispatcher for the college, will be joining the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program to become a paramedic. She is unsure if she should pursue a higher degree and is nervous about leaving college life behind.
“I’m just so comfortable with going to school, so it’s hard to think about what the future’s going to hold. … I’m not sure how it will be if I go to another college after this,” Mosley said.
Mosley is grateful for the college’s great professors, particularly her previous math professor David Cobb, but she does regret withdrawing from several classes. One thing she will definitely miss is the beautiful campus scenery.
After almost four years at the college, Donald Armstrong III has big plans in the culinary field.
“I plan on working in the industry a little more and getting some more training and then preferably moving to Oregon and opening my own restaurant,” said Armstrong.
Armstrong is not worried about his associate degree not being enough, since the culinary field is a very solid one and he is confident in the training he has received throughout the years.
“Culinary is a very lucrative field and can work anywhere in the globe,” said Armstrong. “And I feel like I have the necessary training to work anywhere in the globe.”
He regrets not taking all his classes seriously and feels that if he had, he would have left the college sooner.
“I’m actually ready because I’ve been going to school here for a while now,” said Armstrong. “Almost four years, so I’ve been here like you would be at a regular university, so I’m ready to go.”
Though he’s happy to be leaving school behind, Armstrong admits he has enjoyed his college days. His most memorable experience was working in the student lounge as a student engagement ambassador, a job that promotes healthy study habits and relationships among students.
“Even though we’re a community campus, [the school tries] to make it accommodating and find ways for people to get in touch with each other,” Armstrong said. “I’ve actually enjoyed pretty much every minute of being here, from the bottom of my heart. It’s been a very … convenient and affordable way to excel for a higher education.”