Northern Virginia Community College

Date: Oct 20 2011
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
I am an adult student that will be graduating after fall 2011. I started pursuing a degree part time in Information Systems while I served as an Active Duty Marine at Quantico circa 2004. When motivated I was able to make the dean's list with over 12 credits on my schedule, but I burnt out during the second semester and because of my already demanding job as a Marine I withdrew from a few classes and took about 6-9 credits until I was discharged. I left the Marine Corps before completing my degree but thanks to my training as a Marine Computer Programmer and my security clearance granted through them I had no problem getting a job paying 85k a year for an IT Consulting firm. Making 85k as a 21 year old I was content and put off completing the degree. Five years later I'm back to finish that degree as I've come to realize that even though a security clearance around DC is IMO 5x more important than a college degree, one is still necessary to "climb the ladder" and make the biiiiig bucks.

I took most of my classes at the Woodbridge Campus with one at Manassas. I was able to transfer in credits from my Military experience and also CLEP(test) out of some more like math and english. The Education Office at Quantico was very helpful for me but when I went back as an adult I found it hard to speak to anyone but my proffessors since I worked full time during the day and had class at night (office hours end at 6pm). I had to figure out the scheduling and books and all that on my own…but it's not that complicated.

The education quality was pretty lacking. I honestly have not learned anything at NVCC that has helped me in my career and am simply going for the diploma and experience. I should be graduating with a GPA of 3.4-5 and I have been able to go through most classes without even cracking the textbook. The teachers were friendly but I wasn't impressed with any of them. Their technology classes were very outdated.

I have heard that the general studies aas transfer well to other schools but I guess I'll see next year. I should also note that I went to almost all night classes. There were a lot of female adult students but I don't recall meeting any males that were over 22.

If I was a working adult I would definitely start at a NVCC to "test the waters" of going back to school and then transfer to a four year. I consider it a stepping stone but still an accomplishment and while a degree from nova isn't going to get you any special attention it's a check off the box for the interviewer.