Author: Heather Hackett

There are many kinds of schools and programs to choose from. Learn more about the options available for Promise Scholars.

It’s not uncommon for folks to use “post-secondary” and “college” interchangeably, but post-secondary can take many more forms than four-year schools such as colleges. And many of these alternative programs offer skills and knowledge that are in high demand in the workforce. Below we’ll discuss some of the many types of educational opportunities available to Promise Scholars.

Types of Post-Secondary Schools

Colleges typically offer a wide range of courses in many liberal arts subjects, ranging from writing, history, languages, math, or science, but there may also be specialized colleges such as those discussed on page 19 (e.g. arts, agriculture, nursing). Colleges often have smaller class sizes, which can result in more personalized attention from faculty. Students who attend these schools may go on to a variety of careers or continue on to graduate school.

Universities are typically larger than colleges and offer more majors. These schools are also more likely to offer advanced degrees, which may be a consideration for prospective students pursuing careers in fields that require master’s or doctoral degrees. Universities are usually larger than colleges and may correspondingly have larger class sizes. These schools often emphasize scholarly or scientific research and graduate students may teach classes rather than professors. Students who attend these schools transition to a variety of careers or continue on to graduate school.

Community colleges are typically a more affordable option, community colleges offer two-year associate degrees as well as many certificates. Existing to serve the community they reside in, community colleges sometimes have less rigorous admission requirements. Often programs at community colleges prepare students for particular industries or careers. Students may also consider starting at a community college before transferring to a four-year school.

Career, Vocational, Trade, and Technical schools offer specialized training, often preparing students for specific industries or careers. These schools may be public or private, non-profit or for-profit. Programs may last weeks, months, or years, depending on the area of study. Students who attend these schools typically receive a license, certificate, or associate degree.

School Characteristics to Consider
Four-year vs. Two-year Schools
Students who attend four-year colleges such as universities or liberal arts schools will graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Students who attend two-year schools such as community colleges and vocational or technical colleges will graduate with a certificate or an associate degree. The Promise scholarship can be used at both types of schools if they are accredited in the state of Pennsylvania.

Public vs. Private
Public schools receive funding from local and/or state governments, which usually results in lower tuition rates, particularly for in-state students. However, private colleges may have access to private funding that permits them to offer generous financial aid packages. Prospective students shouldn’t base decisions solely off sticker price—a school that costs more at first glance could actually be more affordable depending on your individual circumstances. The Promise scholarship can be used at both public and private schools in Pennsylvania.

Non-profit vs. For-profit
Most US colleges and universities were non-profit institutions up through the 1970s. Since then, for-profit schools increased in number and size. Several economic studies have demonstrated a dubious return on investment for students who enrolled in for-profit schools, and such students are more likely to default on their student loans, which has made for-profits a target of increased scrutiny from the government. However, there are some advocates who believe that for-profit schools expand student choice and have the potential to operate more efficiently because of the profit motive. Students considering for-profit schools are well-advised to do extensive research on the school and speak with currently enrolled students or graduates before making a final decision. The Promise scholarship can be used at both non-profit and for-profit schools that meet the eligibility requirement to be accredited in the state of Pennsylvania.

Accommodation of IEPs and 504 Plans
A number of governmental initiatives and court rulings have greatly expanded the educational opportunities available to students with both physical and learning disabilities. High school students with an IEP or 504 Plan can expect help from their teachers and counselors to identify schools of interest and plan for post-secondary education. Many post-secondary schools strive to offer resources for students with any type of special need, ranging from additional exam time and alternative formats, study skills help, life skill development opportunities, and more. These efforts to increase access to higher education is evident in the enrollment rates of students with physical disabilities, who account for 11% of undergraduates enrolled nationwide according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The Promise scholarship will cover schools that offer programs for any disability if the school is accredited in Pennsylvania and accepts FAFSA and PHEAA funding toward enrollment in that program.

Specialized Schools
Many schools have offerings catered to specific populations or interests. For instance, there are single-sex schools that are open to only men or only women. Religiously affiliated schools are also specialized schools, though they may not be restricted to only those who practice the religion that the school is associated with. Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) focus on educating African American students and Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) receive their designation when at least 25% of the full-time undergraduate students are Hispanic. Arts colleges, agricultural programs, and nursing schools are other examples of specialized schools.

Check out these websites to further explore your options:
College Board
BestColleges.com
Cappex
Technical and Vocational School Guide
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

Read the full fall issue to hear from several current Promise Scholars about how they evaluated the options available to them to choose their current program.

Finding Balance: Make a Smooth Transition to Post-Secondary

Growing up with eight siblings helped me realize early on that it’s vital to follow your dreams no matter how big they are.

As the youngest, looking up to them as they accomplished their goals inspired me to do the same. Civil-environmental engineering sounded like an intimidating post-secondary major until I considered that it is no different from any other field of study—they all require studying, dedication, enthusiasm, and most importantly faith. It also is a career field in which I can grow and even venture into many other fields, such as botany or marine biology.

When I started freshman year at Lincoln University, I was skeptical about the new environment despite being ready to start my journey to independence and adulthood.

Having other siblings who attended college helped my transition go smoothly. But even with some ideas of what to expect at college, I still had a lot to learn in order to succeed. For instance, the workload at college surpasses high school by far, and although it’s manageable, it takes a significant commitment to stay disciplined and study and stay on top of everything.

Colleges offer many resources and support services that can help you manage the work, but it is your job to make sure you get the help you need.

Fortunately for me, Lincoln University has an abundance of resources for women of color interested in my specific field of study and my schedule allows me to get my work done along with other tasks without feeling as if the workload is too much. Lincoln University also provided me with the tools necessary to travel to classes they did not offer.

I took advantage of courses in Atlanta and even traveled to other countries to learn and do research. In Thessaloniki, Greece, my work concentrated on probiotics in Greek yogurts and kefir. While visiting St. Augustine, Trinidad, and Tobago, I worked on a project to evaluate and optimize a banana fibre extraction device.

These projects were amazing opportunities that opened my eyes to what I love the most about my career choice: travel! Although I do enjoy the traveling aspect of my program and field, when traveling for a vast period I always begin to miss my family and not having them around to support me has an emotional effect. That’s why my role as a Lincoln University research intern in solid waste management has been my favorite traveling experience so far. I am conducting my bachelor and graduate studies on pharmaceuticals in drinking water and while working on this project my family could come visit me in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Having their comfort and support motivated me and helped me stay focused while working in the unfamiliar environment for a long period.

As a student and young adult, it is important that you find an overall balance in your work, relationships, and educational and social life for a smoother post-secondary transition. Don’t limit yourself—there are many opportunities available and there is no wrong time to learn anything!

Librarians help patrons find themselves in a book.

In September of 2006, I hopped on a plane to study theatre at Kingston University in London, England. Always an explorer, I have sought out new worlds by traveling, or discovered them through the art of reading, and created my own as a writer. What I didn’t realize after moving back to the United States was that my love for pursuing information would land me a position working with children at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. For two and a half years, I have helped toddlers who can barely talk, vibrant and striving patrons in their nineties, and all ages in between to seek out a world of fact or fantasy through books.

As a Children’s Specialist, I conduct storytimes for babies and toddlers, visit local schools to bring stories and programs to them, and assist in managing our collection of over 65,000 books.

Patrons who visit the library on a quest to find their next great read, or the perfect answer to a world history question come to me for the solution. While it may seem that librarianship is doing a Google search to find the title of a book, the career of being a librarian digs much deeper than any informational search.

Children who walk, run, or hop through the library find much more than pages filled with words smacked between two hard covers, they find magic—and as cheesy as it may sound, transporting them to that world is my job. I want adults, children, and everyone in between to discover the magic on these shelves, be it Harry Potter or Elephant and Piggie.

On any given day you can find me creating brand new programs like Sankofa Storytime, which helps African American children see themselves represented in the pages of books, or leading top to bottom tours of CLP-Main including history and architecture, and showing a parent how to read to their child so they enter Kindergarten ready to succeed. What I love almost as much as singing to a rambunctious gaggle of toddlers is helping manage our collection of literature. Processing new books, weeding old books that have staled on our shelves, and seeing what can be added to our collection without a doubt brings me some type of weird booklover joy.

There is a severe lack of children’s literature that represents our diverse world, and also a lack of librarians of color.

I am an advocate of inclusion on library shelves and among library staff. Attending mentoring conferences, taking diversity initiatives, and being that person who not only pushes for representation, but creates it, is an aspect of my job that I have gripped hold of tight.

I have a confession, I also live a secret life. During the day I prepare children for literacy success, at night I am a writer who brings the books on library shelves to life. In 2013, I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing. My position at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has honed my direction as a writer. I’ve merged my love of working with children with my love of writing for children. Picture books, middle grade, and young adult manuscripts fill my desk at home and the day my books make it to library shelves isn’t too far away.

I am the bridge that helps a patron find themselves and their passions in a book.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh empowers people to transform their lives through life-long learning, digital literacy, and connections to others. Visit their website to learn more about their mission to engage our community in literacy and learning.