Treasures

Stephanie Hunter Professor Paul Skidmore English Comp II September 13, 2012 Baby Boomers In the story "Ble Collar Boomers Take Work Ethic to College" written by Libby Sander you will learn that older folks are returning to college. Why you ask' New technology is one reason. Another is the strain of the job. What does it mean for an older person to go back to school' This article allows us to understand that no matter your age your never to old to learn new things. Going back to school for a new career is a growing trend for older folks. Sitting at home growing old is not what people want to do anymore. They want to work but, there is so much new technology now adays that going back to school is the only way to stay up with the times. So now older people are opening doors to colleges to better themselves. Colleges have seen a trend with older people coming back to school and they are making it easier for them. (pg.950,paragraph 6&7). I'm 37 years old I am not considered an old person but, I am older than most college students. I have decided to come back to school to further my education as well as wanting to start a new profession. It was a little scary for me at first, I have not seen a classroom sine 1993. I remember my first day I kept asing myself, "If I was smart enough to be in college with kids who had just graduated high school'" Scary huh' Well come to find out I still remember the basic things. What made it easy for me was seeing I was I was not the only oldest person on campus. I came back to school because I can no longer work in the field I was working. So to find a job to support my family I have to have new job skills. A professor of siciology and director Jan Abushakrah says that older people are coming back to school to get a better job or a new skill in their current job. They are taking advantage of the skills the colleges are offering. (pg.950,paragraph2) I have worked in the restraunt business for 15 years. In 2008 I was in a bad car accident. Now I can no longer work in that field. So I find myself going back to school to further me education for a different career. I've been in every part of the restraunt business from working as a cashier, to cooking, to being a manager. Being a manager puts you in charge of inventory, cash and employees. Because I have no education beside a Ged, I knew going back to school would only further my skills, and knowledge I all ready have. You would think that after a certain age you could retire but, now older people dont want to just lay around they want to keep the money coming in. But to keep up with the time and new technology these people have to return to school. (pg. 950 paragraphs 6,7&8) Ask youself this though do businesses want younger or older people on their team' An older person cant lift as much as a younger person can. A younger person know more about the new technology. When a company starts downsizing who do you thik is the first to be let go' An older person. Now that there are more baby boomers going back to school the colleges are realizing that they are going to have to make a few changes to allow them to get an education. For example evening and weekend classes.(pg.951,paragraph8) People still have to keep a paycheck coming in. To offer these classes allows them to still work during the day but, at the same time still achieve their goals by attending evening and weekend class. Colleges are starting to adapted to these baby boomers. Then you have the issue of time. Baby boomers cant wait 2-4 years to get a degree. A 16 week course is no longer a traditional step. They need a shorter term for those who all ready have work experience in that subject. (pg.952,paragraph6) I am a sinlge mother of four and if it wasnt for the flexability of the college I would not be able to further my education. I still have to make sure my children get off to school first. So the understaing from the professors is a great relief. They understand that things come up in life with children like doctor appts., illnessess. I cant send a sick child to school and I have no choice but to stay home and care for them. So its nice to know that the p rofessors will work with you. If it wasnt for the understanding I would not be able to go back to school and get my degree. Going back to school and raising 4 children on my own is very hard. But, it has to be done if I want a better future for my children and myself. So to summerize this article we see that older people returning to school and the way colleges are trying to adapt to this. In doing so they have started evening and weekends classes. They have work programs as to when you finish certain courses they offer job placements. I know my college KCKCC offers daycare to students who have children. To me that is a big plus. I believe as more of us baby boomers return to school more colleges will began to adapt to the growing need.