RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student

Collarspace Discussion Forums

Home Login Search

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student

Page: << < prev 1 2 [3] 4 next > >>

Login

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/28/2008 6:44:35 PM

stef

Posts: 10215
Joined: 1/26/2004
Status: offline

This might come as a shock to you, but if you get that degree and head out into the world to ply your newfound trade, the people you're going to be working with aren't necessarily going to be in your peer group either. Learning to socialize and interact with people outside of your peer group with is going to be a HUGE part of your job. If you can't do it now, how do you expect to be able to do it when you're being paid to do it and other people are counting on you?

Stop whining and making excuses and suck it up. Don't worry about looking like an ass and just do it. If you can't do this simple thing, you're never going to be able to deal with people who have real problems.

~stef

_____________________________

Welcome to PoliticSpace! If you came here expecting meaningful BDSM discussions, boy are you in the wrong place.

"Hypocrisy has consequences"

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)

Post #: 41

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/28/2008 6:53:36 PM

defiantbadgirl

Posts: 2988
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: AquaticSub

I'm sure this is something they have encountered before and probably not with just your age group. I've encountered 19 year olds who didn't socialize on campus because they would rather talk to their friends back home on the home. I wouldn't even suggest trying to hang out right away since trying to force yourself in a social group rarely works, I really think you will have much better luck finding classmates whose points honestly interest you. At any point my academic life, I would have been and still would be flattered if someone came up to me and said "Hey, what you said was really interesting. Could we talk about it some more?"

Thanks for the advice. You have been very helpful. As far as forcing myself into a social group, I will have to hope it works. I won't be attending any social work classes next semester as there are none available to those who haven't already been accepted into the social work program. It will be impossible for either social work instructor to observe my reactions with others in class. I am getting college credit next semester for experienced based education, which gives me 3 months to not only learn a job, but to excel in it. I also plan to ask all of my non social work instructors to write letters of recommendation for me next semester. Honestly, I wish they would just leave me alone. Making someone feel like their every move is being observed would make anyone nervous and set them up to fail.

_____________________________

Only in the United States is the health of the people secondary to making money. If this is what "capitalism" is about, I'll take socialism any day of the week.

Collared by MartinSpankalot May 13 2008

(in reply to AquaticSub)

Post #: 42

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/28/2008 7:05:56 PM

defiantbadgirl

Posts: 2988
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline

Stef, I know you're right about working with people who aren't in my peer group. I can do that at a professional level. At my other school, the social work class was taught to keep professional and personal life separate. I don't hang out with or date co-workers because it's a bad idea. I plan to get off my ass and just do it. As far as whining goes, I and anyone else who feels like they are constantly under a microscope has every reason to whine. Even in the working world, nobody lasts long in an environment like that. Keep in mind, I was highly respected at the last school I attended by both peers and instructors.

_____________________________

Only in the United States is the health of the people secondary to making money. If this is what "capitalism" is about, I'll take socialism any day of the week.

Collared by MartinSpankalot May 13 2008

(in reply to stef)

Post #: 43

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/28/2008 8:13:24 PM

YourhandMyAss

Posts: 5516
Joined: 6/25/2006
From: Sacramento
Status: offline

There's several schooling options, one of which is to do the courses online. Or by snail mail. corespondance.

quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl

. What is a nontraditional student supposed to do in this situation? It seems to me that they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)

Post #: 44

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/28/2008 8:16:47 PM

defiantbadgirl

Posts: 2988
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline

Any bachelor of social work program has to be both accredited and approved by NASW (national organization of social work) or the student is ineligible to take the state licensing exam upon completion of the degree. I don't know of any online degrees supported by NASW.

_____________________________

Only in the United States is the health of the people secondary to making money. If this is what "capitalism" is about, I'll take socialism any day of the week.

Collared by MartinSpankalot May 13 2008

(in reply to YourhandMyAss)

Post #: 45

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/28/2008 8:19:18 PM

AquaticSub

Posts: 14867
Joined: 12/27/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl

Thanks for the advice. You have been very helpful.

I do my best.

_____________________________

Without my dominance you cannot submit. Without your submission I cannot dominate. You are my equal in this, though our roles are different.-Val

It was ok for him to beat me but then he tried to cuddle me! - Me

Member:Clan of the Scarlet O'Hair

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)

Post #: 46

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/28/2008 8:21:04 PM

slaveboyforyou

Posts: 3607
Joined: 1/6/2005
From: Arkansas, U.S.A.
Status: offline

quote:

There's several schooling options, one of which is to do the courses online. Or by snail mail. corespondance.

Um...mail correspondence courses and online degrees are for losers. Sorry, but it needs to be said. I would not hire you if you came in to my office with those bullshit degrees. I have been told that by every employer I have had since all this online degree crap became popular. If anyone qualifies to get in; you can bet it's not a valid degree.

(in reply to YourhandMyAss)

Post #: 47

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/28/2008 8:32:00 PM

YourhandMyAss

Posts: 5516
Joined: 6/25/2006
From: Sacramento
Status: offline

One of my friends from collarme does her schooling online I don't remember what she's studying but if it's a valid school acredited school it's not crap. I wouldn't think. cause acredited means it's valid I assume

quote:

ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou

quote:

There's several schooling options, one of which is to do the courses online. Or by snail mail. corespondance.

. I have been told that by every employer I have had since all this online degree crap became popular. If anyone qualifies to get in; you can bet it's not a valid degree.

< Message edited by YourhandMyAss -- 1/28/2008 8:38:05 PM >

(in reply to slaveboyforyou)

Post #: 48

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/28/2008 8:49:41 PM

defiantbadgirl

Posts: 2988
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou

If anyone qualifies to get in; you can bet it's not a valid degree.

Obviously, people with certain criminal backgrounds shouldn't be social workers. But background checks are a part of the state licensing process. As with any job, if the employer isn't satisfied, the employee is terminated. But being fired doesn't stop the now ex employee from seeking another job in the same field. Refusing to approve someone for a degree does. There are so many different types of social work. Licensed graduates have a good chance of finding a type of social work they can excel in. I don't think it's right that a student can work their ass off to get good grades only to have everything they have worked for destroyed by one or two people.

_____________________________

Only in the United States is the health of the people secondary to making money. If this is what "capitalism" is about, I'll take socialism any day of the week.

Collared by MartinSpankalot May 13 2008

(in reply to slaveboyforyou)

Post #: 49

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/28/2008 9:12:51 PM

slaveboyforyou

Posts: 3607
Joined: 1/6/2005
From: Arkansas, U.S.A.
Status: offline

quote:

Obviously, people with certain criminal backgrounds shouldn't be social workers. But background checks are a part of the state licensing process. As with any job, if the employer isn't satisfied, the employee is terminated. But being fired doesn't stop the now ex employee from seeking another job in the same field. Refusing to approve someone for a degree does. There are so many different types of social work. Licensed graduates have a good chance of finding a type of social work they can excel in. I don't think it's right that a student can work their ass off to get good grades only to have everything they have worked for destroyed by one or two people.

This has nothing to do with what I replied to. I was replying to the validity of online and mail order degrees. If you want to discuss background checks, that's cool. I had to have an extensive one for my current job. It was more extensive than the standard state one for social workers. I work for a company that sub contracts for the State Department, and it took three months for me to get my clearance. They talked to everyone I knew. They talked to my friends, relatives, and even my old high school teacher. It was unbelievable how much shit I had to go through to get my job.

I went ahead and perved your profile. I don't think Kansas is that much different from Arkansas. I have friends that are social workers. I don't think you have anything to worry about unless you're a convicted felon. You will get in. I think you are just being a tad bit paranoid. That is not a knock on you. I understand how you feel. Hey, take a breath. Stop worrying so much. If professors are telling you that nonsense, they are trying to weed the weak out of the bunch. That is a standard practice for employers. It's been tried on me lots of times. They tell you how hard a job is or how unqualified you are to make you sweat. Don't let them do that. Defy them and keep pushing. Don't be weak. I will be damned if anyone ever tells me I can't do something, and neither should you.

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)

Post #: 50

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/28/2008 9:30:30 PM

defiantbadgirl

Posts: 2988
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline

I apologize for making it sound like that was what you were replying to. You're right about being approved for a license (the whole convicted felon thing). But you're wrong about the degree. Colleges can and do refuse to let people get bachelor's degrees in social work. Without the degree, you can't get a license anyway. If there was a way to bypass the degree, I would do it. I don't think I'm being overly paranoid when I was told by the social work head that others have been rejected. They did say I wasn't the only one with "issues," but I think they need to leave the students alone and work on their own "issues" like learning to keep their story straight. They have changed their minds about me four times in one semester. First, there was no problem, then there was a problem, then there wasn't a problem, now they have invented another problem.

_____________________________

Only in the United States is the health of the people secondary to making money. If this is what "capitalism" is about, I'll take socialism any day of the week.

Collared by MartinSpankalot May 13 2008

(in reply to slaveboyforyou)

Post #: 51

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/28/2008 11:26:57 PM

AquaticSub

Posts: 14867
Joined: 12/27/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl

They have changed their minds about me four times in one semester. First, there was no problem, then there was a problem, then there wasn't a problem, now they have invented another problem.

I'm starting to think you haven't really had the college experience unless they try to screw you over at least seven times and cause you to nearly have a heart attack twice.

_____________________________

Without my dominance you cannot submit. Without your submission I cannot dominate. You are my equal in this, though our roles are different.-Val

It was ok for him to beat me but then he tried to cuddle me! - Me

Member:Clan of the Scarlet O'Hair

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)

Post #: 52

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/29/2008 1:15:07 AM

PrizedPosession

Posts: 1209
Joined: 11/2/2007
Status: offline

i go to a big public university and they are so concerned about everything from interactions with others to missing classes, and with the population of the school it is difficult to fathom why they are so concerned. In all honesty i am a teenager and i don't socialize with most here, i don't like to go to parties, i'm not a WOOO ALCOHOL LETS DRINK A TON person, and i would much rather learn then talk about some of the stupid things they do here...(i am in a journalism program and instead of doing something useful with a degree that could expose so much that is wrong most girls in my class would rather work at Cosmo...).
You just have to find the right nitche. It's hard but i found a few hi and bye friends and some people to chat with in class but other than that i stick to myself because sadly all the older people don't want to converse with me (it might have to do with my headphones permanently stuck on my head but eh)...
that's all

oh yea once you get the degree it won't matter, they can't with hold your degree for not playing well with others.

< Message edited by PrizedPosession -- 1/29/2008 1:16:22 AM >

(in reply to slaveboyforyou)

Post #: 53

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/29/2008 2:50:11 AM

LadyEllen

Posts: 10931
Joined: 6/30/2006
From: Stourport-England
Status: offline

my thoughts

Outsourcing and getting a job that cant be outsourced - everything can be outsourced. The plumbers in London are now largely Polish immigrants. They may be here, but thats still outsourced, or perhaps insourced?

Most online and correspondence courses are absolute trash - your cheque cleared so you passed, sort of thing. But not all - in the UK we have the Open University for instance, which is real and ideal for those of us a little older. Its important to check though, as we also have all manner of scams going on - they tend to use "Oxford" or "Cambridge" in their "college" titles to gain respect, but they have nothing to do with the universities. And the latest government wheeze over here is to get your qualifications whilst working for MacDonalds "so we can compete in the global economy"....

I have two main experiences of going back to college as an adult. The first when I was 23 and working - which was OK as there wasnt that big an age difference between me and the youngsters in my class. The second was a couple of years back when I was in my late 30s and the rest of the class were 19-21. It was difficult to mix - nothing much in common at first glance, but there was stuff it turned out - smoking, music, interests and so on. The most difficult thing was not to come across as the lecturing parent you know? And to understand that at best I'd only ever make any sort of contact with them by my efforts - after all, I was a big scary adult with a car and a credit card and a mortgage and so on; still intimidating for youth regardless of their bravado. And bear in mind that in this latter case I'd also transitioned to female a couple of years prior so it wasnt as if I felt comfortable risking such an approach either.

But I think its unproductive of your lecturers to be forcing you into this you know? Pressuring you wont result in any natural interactions arising after all.

E

_____________________________

In a test against the leading brand, 9 out of 10 participants couldnt tell the difference. Dumbasses.

(in reply to PrizedPosession)

Post #: 54

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/29/2008 5:54:11 AM

thetammyjo

Posts: 6322
Joined: 9/8/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl

I had no problem getting into the college itself. I was given a scholarship based on my 3.87 gpa. The problem arose when I was surrounded by teenagers and my social skills were called into question. The two year college I transferred from had a large number of nontraditional students and I had no problem socializing there. I can't help thinking I'm not the only one who has found myself in this situation and am wondering how others have dealt with it.

I've taught now at a few different types of colleges/university and have colleagues who teach at other places.

The number of "non-traditional" students is rising but yes by and large it is still people in their late teens and early 20s though the higher number is being pushed as four year programs turn into five and six years with students changing majors, dropping classes, or being forced to go part-time and hold down a job.

What I have seen is that there are really two tracks of socializing.

Traditional, full-time, no job students hang out.

Everyone else finds their own group.

These are a few things I've known to work to cross the divide.

If you can manage it, take daytime or afternoon classes -- larger classes is a great pool from which to draw potential study buddies from. Sometimes study buddies can become regular buddies.

Attend cultural events -- plays, the art show, sport, special guest lecturers that interest you. People with similar interests will be there too.

Look into student groups. Regardless of your age, if you are a student you may job. Frankly are so desperate for anyone who will do more than show up from time to time that if you volunteer to do even the smallest thing, it's an almost automatic into the inner circle.

Don't neglect the traditional ways you socialize -- religious or charity groups, sport/gym, shopping, hanging out with old friends.

_____________________________

Love, Peace, Hugs, Kisses, Whips & Chains,

TammyJo

Check out my website at http://www.thetammyjo.com Or www.tammyjoeckhart.com

And my LJ where I post fiction in progress if you "friend" me at http://thetammyjo.livejournal.com/

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)

Post #: 55

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/29/2008 6:32:37 AM

Alumbrado

Posts: 5560
Status: offline

Online degrees from schools like Penn State, Florida State, University of Maryland, Notre Dame, SUNY, Old Dominion, U of Florida, etc. are accredited by the regional bodies, just like any other legitimate degree program.

(in reply to thetammyjo)

Post #: 56

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/29/2008 6:39:17 AM

defiantbadgirl

Posts: 2988
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline

It's easy enough to find an online degree that's accredited, but not so easy to find one that's approved by the National Association of Social Work (NASW). As far as I know, no online program exists that's both accredited and approved by NASW.

_____________________________

Only in the United States is the health of the people secondary to making money. If this is what "capitalism" is about, I'll take socialism any day of the week.

Collared by MartinSpankalot May 13 2008

(in reply to Alumbrado)

Post #: 57

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/29/2008 6:41:38 AM

pahunkboy

Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline

When i hung at bucknell SU as an adult- some of the snide was a money thing http://www.govst.edu/. try this college. not manby under 30 go there- tho i went there when i was under 30. also- before that was the commnutity college- the night classes had more adults. so you could shift to classes at night.....

(in reply to Alumbrado)

Post #: 58

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/29/2008 6:43:36 AM

pahunkboy

Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline

BTW- the pic if anything down plays the colorful array of students- who bring alot to the table.

(in reply to pahunkboy)

Post #: 59

RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student - 1/29/2008 7:08:27 AM

Alumbrado

Posts: 5560
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl

It's easy enough to find an online degree that's accredited, but not so easy to find one that's approved by the National Association of Social Work (NASW). As far as I know, no online program exists that's both accredited and approved by NASW.

Statements like the above, along with the highly suspicious story of two instructors being able to withold an earned degree because your 'mental health' is based on partying with the undergrads, and your OP claim about private schools and social sciences, leads me to wonder if you really understand how higher education works.
Are you aware that 'social work' is a job certification, such as LCSW, while 'social sciences' encompasses psychology, criminology, and sociology degrees?

First you get a degree from a regionally accredited school, then you satisfy the certification requirements in whatever profession you decide to work in. Two different ballgames.

If NASW picks and choose between regionally accredited schools as you imply, I'd like to see a link.

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)

Post #: 60

Page: << < prev 1 2 [3] 4 next > >>

All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student

Page: << < prev 1 2 [3] 4 next > >>

Jump to:

New Messages	No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages	Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages	Locked w/o New Messages

Post New Thread

Reply to Message

Post New Poll

Submit Vote

Delete My Own Post

Delete My Own Thread

Rate Posts

Collarchat.com © 2025

Terms of Service

0.094