I am Betsy Gemmecke and am the North Country Outreach Coordinator for
Granite State College, a College in New Hampshire. My job is to reach out to people who live in the upper half of the state and let them know about our online classes for adults and college evening classes in Conway, Littleton and Berlin. I love this job as it allows me to travel from Colebrook to Plymouth and meet people, young and old, who want to continue to grow and learn.
I use my background in counseling and career training education to help people figure out the next phase of their life and learn what non-traditional higher education options are available to them. My work includes visiting businesses, schools, and community associations; and offering workshops about higher education.
I live in a small northern NH town with my husband. Our three girls are now out of the home and due to my experiences with them I feel I really know the challenges people face when thinking about college: including access, flexibility of class schedule and affordable continuing education.
I believe that it is never too late to go to school, re-charge your career, and/or set a new direction. Because of that belief, I continue to take and teach classes, most currently in the field of career development coaching.
I am really excited about the expanding partnership that the City of Franklin has with
Granite State College. A very energetic committee of Franklin agencies and citizens have partnered with us to increase the visibility and access of our college to its residents.
The second Tuesday of the every month I will be at the second floor of the Franklin Public Library to encourage people to consider further education and career advancement. Many people do not realize that affordable college study is within their reach. Students can take college evening classes in Concord and elsewhere in the state; and also can benefit from online adult degrees.
On Tuesday January 11, I will be running a free workshop for anyone unsure of their future direction. We will discuss non-traditional paths of learning and strategies to move ahead. Many people I have met don't believe they have the skills to go to college and feel "rusty" since they have been out of school for a while. Actually they will find the process is easier than they think and there is extensive adult financial aid available for people returning to school. The first step is really to take a risk and meet with someone to begin to explore future options. I will be in Franklin once a month and I hope people will feel comfortable to meet me at the Library for an informal chat when I am there, perhaps over coffee.
"Make life happen for you instead of letting it happen to you!"
What a busy and excitng time this spring has been! So much so that I have not taken time to blog. Our Conway NH College has been busy with lots of new inquires about our online programs and affordable bachelor degree programs.
I continued to offer our "Who are You" career opportunities education workshops and many participants have realized it IS time to go back to school! One woman in the North Country who had been looking for a job for a long time took this workshop, then changed the way she wrote a resume and approached her interview and GOT a job in the teaching field! Now she knows she is ready to take the next step to enroll in our Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certificate Program. ( I would love to know if we should do more such workshops for the college...Let me know!)
This weekend, hardy souls attended the Littleton Home Show and a number of people didn't realize that there was a Littleton NH College that offered Bachelor degrees. One woman decided to try out a summer class, after she learned that there were adult college classes in her area.
Yesterday I spoke to about 100 real estate agents and support people about Granite State College. Several told me that when people come to the North Country to explore housing, they ask about lifelong learning college opportunities. It felt great to let them know all about what is right here in the North Country!
I have been having such a great time watching the Olympics and am awed by the determination and risk-taking of the competitors.
It reminds me of that same determination of some of the new students I have recently met. They have enrolled at
Granite State College, our Conway NH College campus. They are going through the process despite significant family and income issues.
One woman is juggling her 2 jobs and family to get her online adult education classes completed. Another did poorly in High School but is determined to prove she can do college level work and is succeeding in her behavioral science classes. Another young mother was happy to find she could benefit from our affordable college experience and is getting financial aid even while taking part time classes.
Let's celebrate the determination and risk-taking of our students as they too can be seen as Olympians!
I have been facilitating free workshops all over northern New Hampshire to help those uncertain of their future career direction. Hmmm, it seems like we all are wondering about our futures these days,
yes? …. I have been so impressed by the enthusiasm and guts of those who have attended.
Even though the job market is tough right now, many said they were ready to take advantage of the affordable continuing education that is available to them. Two who attended recently said they were just laid off and insecure about going back to school again. It had been years since they went to school. I understand that feeling, but it is nice to know we have strong academic support at our college.
Participants tell me the workshops entitled “Who Are You, Where Are You Headed and How Can Higher Education Help?” have helped them learn about our non-traditional paths of learning, including online adult education classes, part time classes and career advancement programs. They also said they enjoyed exploring with others the education and career advancement opportunities up here in the North Country.
I invite anyone who may be ready to "re-invent" themselves for their next phase in life to join us. The schedule of upcoming workshops is on our
Granite State College website.
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