Well, today’s your chance to do just that! Peirce College’s Career Development Services recently hosted a Human Resources Panel bringing together employers from the Philadelphia region to answer your questions about landing the interview and getting the job.

Our panel of hiring experts included:

• Vaneeda McDonald-Clyburn, Manager of Labor Relations, Philadelphia Gas Works (Peirce ‘06)
• Karl Fritz, Director of Business Operations, Philadelphia Zoo (Peirce ‘06)
• Deb Weinstein, Vice President of Human Resources, GlaxoSmithKline
• Barry James, Technical Support Manager, Osisoft (Peirce ’83 and ’07)
• Kelly Davis, Information Systems Program Manager, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Tiffanie McFadden, HR Director, Cintas Corporation
• Chris Solecki, Director of Human Resources and Legal Affairs, Givnish Family Funeral Home

Tune in to the video below (originally aired on Peirce’s blog) to watch highlights from the HR panel discussion. You’ll hear our panelists talk about employers’ expectations; cover letter, resume, and interviewing tips; and the skills employees need to remain competitive in the workplace. They also share advice about how to approach a career change, what to do if you’ve been laid-off, and how to improve your job search and rise above the other job candidates.

Learning is about more than what goes on in the classroom. Earning your degree is the first step towards landing a job that turns into a career you love. But a college education should also teach you the skills you need to translate your degree into a career. Learn how to leverage that education into a successful job search with resources like this video and the support of the Career Development Services team.

Robb Pardee, one of LinkedIn’s recommended experts, took some time to talk with us one on one before he kicked off the seminar. Jump over to the Peirce College blog where we’ve featured a video interview between Robb and one of our bloggers. Watch the video for Robb’s advice when it comes to LinkedIn etiquette. He talks about expanding your LinkedIn network, how to optimize your LinkedIn profile, how companies recruit on LinkedIn, and more.

LINKEDIN LESSON: Robb Pardee answers common questions about using the social network for career success

Robb also posted one of the resources he handed out to attendees on his website. It’s a checklist for using LinkedIn effectively, and the best part is, he’s sharing it with you! Even if you missed the event, you can download Robb’s checklist.

Here at Peirce College, most of our students are working adults (average age is 35), so we understand the unique challenges adult learners face as they work to obtain their degree. In the 146 years we’ve been providing higher education to Philadelphians, we’ve expanded our career-focused degree offerings and become increasingly committed to providing students with credentials that will make an immediate impact on their lives.

We want working adults in the Philadelphia region to know who we are today and the opportunities we can offer them, so we set out to tell the complete Peirce story. We talked to the people who know Peirce best to find out what makes us unique and why we are the right fit for so many working adults who decide to earn their degree.

The result was a video that tells the Peirce story, straight from the hearts and minds of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff. These are the very people who make this such a special place to learn and grow, so who better to spread the message!

Lot of schools produce videos designed to achieve some marketing objective. We developed ours to capture the essence of Peirce and show prospective students what type of world we’ve created here. This video touched us emotionally, because it shows the passion we have for our school and students. Please take a moment to watch and learn how Peirce puts students on the path to degree completion, a more satisfying career, and a brighter future.

Robb Pardee is a nationally recognized expert on LinkedIn and social networking for business, and founder and president of Strategic Leadership Coaching, a career and leadership development firm in Warminster, Pa. In the podcast below, he talks about how social networking can accelerate your career growth as an adult learner.

Whether you are working toward your degree now or planning on going back to school in the future, listen to the podcast below to learn about how networking has changed, the role of social media, and the everlasting importance of building relationships. Robb shares advice on how you can utilize both face-to-face and online networking tactics to build your professional network, develop your personal brand, and enhance your future career.

Fiona was extremely successful in her academic pursuits, and has continued that success in her career progression. After earning her bachelor’s degree, Fiona landed a job as a Senior Case Technician with the Social Security Administration, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. In addition to her career, she just completed a master’s degree in Public Policy at Drexel University.

Since graduation, Fiona has stayed connected to the Peirce community, which is how we heard about her latest milestone — becoming a published author!

Fiona has written a book that charts out her path to making higher education a reality. She wrote “I Did It … You Can, Too!” with the goal of providing inspiration and resources to others who may face some of the very same challenges she has faced on her educational journey.

On the back cover she asks:

Have you ever considered going back to school but thought it would be too hard? Or that you were too old? Or that you simply couldn’t afford it? Have setbacks, challenges, and false starts been unwelcomed companions in your life? I had all the same doubts and fears, but with lots of faith and hard work, I persevered. And so should you!

I know what it’s like to go through life with a limited amount of education, being barely able to make ends meet because of it. Thankfully, a friend showed me how going to college and earning a degree could increase my earning potential, enable me to have a career I desired, and set an example for my children and my community.

I was honored to receive a copy of Fiona’s book, and even more touched when I discovered the handwritten inscription that she included in this particular book:

Professor Miller,
You and all my other professors were “the wind beneath my wings.”
Fiona Harewood

We’re so proud to have Fiona as a Peirce alumna and are excited to see what her next milestone will be. Here’s to Fiona Harewood, and all the other students who overcome obstacles every day to make their dream of an education a reality!

You have taken on all the responsibilities and met the expectations of adulthood. But life is not everything you had hoped it would be when you were younger. Something is missing: career growth. That’s why the advertisement you saw today stuck with you. Your career hasn’t grown with the rest of your life. But take heart. It’s never too late to start a growth spurt.

That said, for working adults like you, going back to school can be scary. You lead a far busier and more complex life than the traditional 18-year-old college student. You want a college that understands what working adults need to successfully return to school, earn a degree, and capitalize on that degree to grow your career.

Peirce understands. We promise an environment that welcomes students who want to focus solely on coursework that will help them reach their goals. You won’t find Greek life, athletics, dorms, and dining halls at Peirce. But you will find:

• An average student age of 35. Indeed, the majority of Peirce students are between 31 and 40. When you enroll in one of our programs, you are surrounded by like-minded people whose goals and experiences are similar to your own. In fact, a survey of Peirce students found the top two reasons for going back to school are personal achievement (52 percent) and professional growth (22 percent). Sound like you?

• A campus bustling in the evenings and quieter during the day. Our face-to-face class schedule reflects the one thing working adults need most when returning to school: plenty of classes that meet after 5 p.m. And our online classes are also brimming with people who are balancing school with career and family demands. No matter how busy or unpredictable your schedule, Peirce has an option that will make going back to school feasible and manageable for you.

• A total focus on developing the skills you need to get further in the working world. Our degree programs are formulated to reintroduce working adults, no matter their age, to the college life that works for them. It’s a unique approach that clearly works for our working adult students, as evidenced by our high retention rate.

Yes, working adults can have growth spurts, too. The difference: teens have growth spurts because they have to. Adults have growth spurts because they want to.

You’ve decided you want to grow. We’re here to make it happen. There are over 2,500 people just like you already growing at Peirce. Want to meet them? Schedule some time for an honest, open-ended, no-obligation conversation with a Peirce enrollment representative.

Going to college isn’t just for teens and twenty-somethings. Come find out how we’re going to make it work for you. Contact Peirce today to get the whole story about your future. Call 888.GO.PEIRCE (888.467.3472), ext. 9000, today or e-mail us right now at Info@Peirce.edu.

On June 14, 2010, at 63 years young, Daria graduated from Peirce College with honors, receiving her A.S. in Business Administration. Her son came all the way from Missouri to see his mother graduate and treated her to a limousine ride right to The Kimmel Center for the commencement ceremony. She was thrilled — and not just with the limo! It was a time to celebrate with friends and family. Daria’s neighborhood even threw a block party in honor of her accomplishment.

Since graduating, Daria took a moment to share her experience and encourage others. She wrote the following letter in late July. It’s meant to be read by those who might be wondering whether it’s too late to continue their education. Is that you?

Hello!

My name is Daria Ward. Just seven weeks ago I walked up the steps at The Kimmel Center in Philadelphia and realized a lifelong goal, when I received my associate degree in Business Administration. While it was an exceptional moment for me, I will never forget the look on the faces of my children who were proudly watching their mother’s accomplishment.

I love it at Peirce College. I feel comfortable being a student here. The hands-on support and guidance, as well as individual attention Peirce provides, makes all the difference for me.

I learned it’s never too late to return to school, no matter what reason made you put it aside. There is no age limit on education—even at “61 years young” it was the right time for me to get started! As a former case worker for public welfare, I encouraged many of my clients to get jobs and become role models for their children and to go to college.

Getting my associate degree was a promise kept. What am I doing now? I am working on my bachelor’s degree at Peirce. It’s a challenge, but then again, Peirce helps empower me to succeed.

If you have been considering completing your degree, don’t put it off any longer. A college degree can help change your life like it did mine—you owe it to yourself to take that next step. Peirce also has a $500 Readmit Scholarship for which you may be eligible—yet another reason to get started again! The Readmit Team is available to help get your degree back on track. Contact them today at 888.GO.PEIRCE, ext. 9026.

Sincerely,

Daria Ward
Management, Business Administration

Today, Daria is proud to say that she is a Peirce College Ambassador, representing the College at internal and external events in order to share her experience with the community. A true ambassador of learning, Daria believes that time is of the essence. If your dream is to complete your college degree, now is the right time to get started, no matter what your age.

Eileen answers some of the most common questions that adult students have when returning to school. Listen to the podcast below for advice about finding a school that is the right fit for you, a step-by-step guide to the typical admissions process, and the resources to look for when returning to college.

In 2009, the U.S. Department of Education commissioned a report (conducted by SRI International) that looked at existing studies contrasting online and face-to-face learning. The report, Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning, analyzed the effectiveness of online learning and the benefits of “blended” instruction, which combines online and traditional methods.

It is important to look at how much online learning has changed over the past several years. The landscape is much different than it was five years ago, and education experts are increasingly toting the advantages of online learning.

There are more resources, programs, platforms, and technological capabilities than ever before, and there is tremendous opportunity for technology to improve teaching and learning. On top of that, graduates of online programs are proving themselves equally capable as those earning their degree in a more traditional manner. Combined, these factors are taking this style of learning to new heights.

Perhaps the most important point of consideration is delivery method — what works best for each individual student is an entirely personal choice. Some students learn better face to face while others excel in a self-managed setting. Students should take a step back and think about which approach better suits their learning style.

Whether you’re searching for a reputable online program or still trying to determine if online learning is right for you, there are a number of important elements to bear in mind. We’ve collected some helpful hints and guidelines for all prospective students to consider:

Accreditation. Make sure you are pursuing accredited institutions and programs. Peirce College, for example, is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Secondary levels of accreditation and approval pertain to specific programs, so if you’re looking for a business administration or paralegal program, look for those with secondary accreditation by the respective organization/association.

Tuition and Fees. Be aware that online and classroom courses can have different costs. Make sure you know all of the fees or tuition differences associated with different delivery methods.

Integration and Consistency. How integrated is the online program with the institution’s culture? Is the online program itself an off-shoot, or does it receive full support from the institution’s faculty and staff? Look for consistency in the curriculum, regardless of delivery method. This includes everything from textbooks and guidelines to the course syllabus. Whether taken online or in the classroom, students should come out of English 101 with the same knowledge, and an online program that is fully integrated with the traditional curriculum and culture of an institution helps to achieve that consistency.

Technical support. Are there resources available 24/7/365? Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.? Or are you on your own?

Class size. What is the average class size of online courses in relation to the classroom version? What types of assessments are there? Take a look at the mix of exams, discussions, projects, group work, etc., and consider if these are a good fit for your learning style.

Access to instructors. What kind of contact with the instructor is available? Does the institution have a “response time” policy? Is it 24 hours, 48 hours, or longer? What are the means of contact? E-mail, through the course website, phone? Look for a program that encourages students to ask questions and contact their professors.

There are plenty of helpful resources out there to assist students in identifying the colleges, programs, and educational styles that match their needs and interests. U.S. News and World Report, the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, and Peterson’s all offer valuable information.

No matter what your learning style might be, there are countless opportunities out there for prospective students who are considering what type of education is the best fit for them. One thing is for certain — the growth in online learning has opened up doors for students who may not have otherwise had the time or resources to physically make it to a face-to-face classroom, and it is that access to education that marks an important step forward.

There are significant economic and social gains for all of us in helping more adults attain degrees in higher education. These concepts are framed well in a 2008 report from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). The report notes that:

“There is a strong and growing argument for higher educational attainment in the United States. The benefits of an educated citizenry include higher wages and greater productivity as well as increased economic opportunities, social mobility, quality of life and civic engagement. Higher levels of education are associated with decreased reliance on government financial assistance. Also, growth in personal income — influenced by higher levels of educational attainment — yields greater returns to a state in the form of tax revenues.”

The benefits are significant enough that resources and assistance for adults looking to complete their degrees have been developed at the grassroots level, by those in the public and private sectors, and by nonprofits — oftentimes in concert with each other. Some great examples here in the Philadelphia region are Mayor Nutter’s PhillyGoes2College initiative and Graduate! Philadelphia, a joint venture of the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board and the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Perhaps the most significant benefit is the influence a college degree has on an individual’s income. Graduate! Philadelphia notes on their website that:

“ … on average, college graduates make about $1 million more over their lifetimes than those who do not have a degree.”

The logic is simple: Greater degree attainment equals increased job opportunities and earning potential for individuals, attracts new and better employers to a region, and solidifies the tax base of a city or municipality.

For these reasons, it’s essential for colleges and universities to help students navigate the unforeseen circumstances that create road blocks between the first semester they register for classes, and the day they complete the final credits needed to graduate.

The good news for students who have put their education on hold is that a number of schools have made the readmission process a painless one. In many cases, while returning to college might seem like a far-off possibility, it’s pretty straightforward to put a student back on track toward meeting their academic goals.

While every working adult student faces their own set of challenges, there are some common themes among all of them. Affordability and tuition resources are always a major hurdle and often the most common one for students. It’s essential for students looking to get back to school to explore all the options, including state and Federal aid, tuition reimbursement offered by an employer, scholarships offered by their school or outside organizations, and structuring their class and credit load to fit their budget. Students that proactively plan out their educational budget stand a better chance of completing their degree without interruption.

Graduate! Philadelphia also offers great insight on tuition expenses and aid, including tips on approaching your employer about tuition reimbursement, events and workshops to help you identify the best way to pay for college, and resources for securing financial aid and scholarships.

Working adults are also concerned about fitting academics into a lifestyle that’s already busy with family and/or work. For this reason it’s important to make good use of the staff that specializes in planning course schedules with the right balance of online and on-campus classes that fit into your life. This balance ensures that adult learners have a workable course load that also gives them the education that will unlock new earning and job opportunities.

No matter what the challenge, the important thing to remember is that most everything can be overcome with the right planning. Aspiring adult students should make use of the many resources available to them to help map their path to complete their degree. Contact Peirce staff in Admissions, Career Development Services, the Financial Aid department, as well as faculty and program chairs. We are here to help make earning a degree an attainable goal for working adults!