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- Essay Name : 570.txt
- Uploader : TODD
- Email Address : gymrat
- Language : english
- Subject : Education
- Title : Community College
- Grade : 89
- School System : ECC
- Country : USA
- Author Comments :
- Teacher Comments :
- Date : 3 NOV 96
- Site found at : searched the net
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- High School graduation is a sense of accomplishment for everyone. Then in sets reality. The graduating class of 1996
- is no different. ThereÆs Lisa, who has her future mapped out without exception. Bobby is a little confused but realizes where his
- goals will lead. Finally, undecided and unknowing, Tracy searches for an answer. Though these graduates have completely
- different academic goals, they have all registered at Elizabethtown Community College. However, they suddenly realize they
- donÆt know the first thing about college. Who are these people? Where do they go? What do all these new and strange terms
- mean? To whom do these students turn?
- In order to understand how the college works, there must be an understanding of how the college is organized. At
- ECC, the divisional structure is simple and understandable. This structure begins with the administration which consists of the
- president, deans, and from there, the division of Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Social and
- Behavioral Sciences. Each of these departments is headed by a division chair. Within these divisions are the faculty. The faculty
- are able to work closely and intimately with students in the small college setting of ECC. At ECC, each individual will be aided in
- educational decision making regarding their future. This allows every student an equal opportunity for success in their field or
- fields of study.
- Many students who have enrolled at ECC and have chosen a major have several classes offered for their intended
- major. These students tend to follow a plan in regard to their education. They may adhere solely to the curriculum designed for a
- certain division such as the Physical Sciences. The division chair for the Physical Sciences Division is Linda Howard. The
- decision making process for the division is like any political debate; heated discussion over differing ideas. The Physical
- Sciences Division answers to the dean of student affairs who in turn answers to an academic council. There is also a division
- liaison to the Lexington campus. This makes it easy for students to transfer classes and gives them a head start for a major in
- the Physical Sciences or other divisions.
- Ideally, a student would like to have a certain group of classes to take that are completely focused on their major, but
- in a small college that is not always an option. Many students attend small community colleges only in order to save money and
- get their basic requirements before transferring to a larger university for specialized education. These students have a major in
- mind, but they are not lucky enough to have a structured program like the students above. These students must, not only rely on
- the courses that are chosen, but must also become involved in outside activities directed toward their career choices. For
- instance, students who have chosen print journalism as a major may have to look elsewhere for experiences in this field, since
- no courses are offered in that area of study. One of the best ways to prepare for future training is to gather input from
- professionals in the area and professors that may have expertise in a field of study. In the case of journalism, Linda Beattie is a
- professor at the college who has expertise in this field. The students would also want to see if they could get a job in their major.
- For journalism, the students would want to try to intern at a local newspaper to get some experience. Also, students in this
- situation would need to keep in mind that the classes they take may or may not transfer to the college they wish to attend. In
- order to successfully move on from the community college program, students who are in the situation described must look much
- further into the future in order to keep themselves on track for their career goals.
- The remainder of the student body is composed of those who have no decided major. This group can be divided in
- many ways : some students are attending just a few classes for personal enrichment , some are trying to make a decision
- between two or more majors, and others perhaps have not found a specific area to match their interests or career goals. Those
- who are attending classes for pure self enrichment will probably not concern themselves with choosing a major. The other
- groups are assumed not to have made their choice yet. Though undecided, a future major will consist of certain core classes,
- such as psychology, algebra, or English. This group of students has certain requirements, though not as definite as those with
- majors already chosen. Usually, the classes chosen by the undecided students either fit the core curriculum or introductory
- classes are taken to explore possible majors. For instance, if the decision was between biology and psychology, the student
- may enroll in Introduction to Biology and Introduction to Psychology. Even the undecided groups have a strict structure.
- Knowing the structure of a college proves to be important to students making decisions about their future. Though many
- students are certain of their major, others remain undecided. Those who are decided may not have classes aimed toward their
- major, but these students can go ahead and take their core classes. Students must often turn to an advisor, teacher, or friend to
- help make these important decisions. All of these aspects mentioned create the structure of ECC.
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