discrimination and the nontraditional college student

discrimination and the nontraditional college student (Full Version)

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defiantbadgirl -> discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 3:33:39 PM)
As an increasing number of Americans lose their jobs to outsourcing, the number of nontraditional college students is on the rise. Many junior colleges as well as four year universities offer evening classes for nontraditional students, but not everyone lives close to a four year university. Unfortunately, many private colleges are geared toward traditional students. For nontraditional students majoring in social sciences, this can be a real problem. There is an approval process every student must go through to be accepted into certain programs and they base that approval on socialization with peers as well as grades. Most people in their 30's and older don't hang out with teenagers and for those that do, their mental health is often questioned. 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.

ownedgirlie -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 3:44:00 PM)
By non traditional, do you mean older, or coming in from the work force instead of fresh out of high school? If so, then I'm a non traditional student (not by way of outsourcing, but because I am getting my degree late in life). I haven't had a problem. I already have a set of friends I hang out with, and I find study partners in class. Since my friends spread from their 20s to their 60s, it's really not a big deal to me. My mental health has been questioned before, but not because of the age of my friends. :)

Alumbrado -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 3:45:46 PM)
What does 'majoring in the social sciences' have to do with private or public schools? And where did you get the idea that socializing with teenagers was a criteria for undergrad admission?

popeye1250 -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 3:47:42 PM)
Apprentice under a Plumber or Electrician.

pahunkboy -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 3:51:42 PM)
I hear ya. I find it hard to learn new material. Only now are they catching on to shorten degree time. Popeye is right. I you want to earn money - find a fiield that wont be outsourced.

defiantbadgirl -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 3:53:26 PM)
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.

defiantbadgirl -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 3:58:03 PM)
Social work can't be outsourced and there is a high demand for social workers because of outsourcing. That's why I chose the field. I want to assist Americans who have lost their jobs.

Stephann -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 3:58:30 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl As an increasing number of Americans lose their jobs to outsourcing, the number of nontraditional college students is on the rise. Many junior colleges as well as four year universities offer evening classes for nontraditional students, but not everyone lives close to a four year university. Unfortunately, many private colleges are geared toward traditional students. For nontraditional students majoring in social sciences, this can be a real problem. There is an approval process every student must go through to be accepted into certain programs and they base that approval on socialization with peers as well as grades. Most people in their 30's and older don't hang out with teenagers and for those that do, their mental health is often questioned. 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. They study something else? No matter what we're told as children, we can't grow up to become whatever we want if we work hard enough. We can be whatever the market will bear; ask the typesetters who used to hand place type for newspapers before the advent of the computer. Besides, most social science degrees require a fair deal of advancement before they're marketable; a 30 year old non-traditional student has quite a hill to climb if they want a career in a field that usually requires 5-8 years of full time education and training. Nobody has the right to be educated; they have the right to earn that education. Stephan

defiantbadgirl -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 4:01:04 PM)
Social work requires a four year degree, although I have considered getting a masters.

pahunkboy -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 4:09:51 PM)
teens view us as old and fuddy duddy and- in a way they are rigt-= in the regard- that we came of age in an earlier era. luckily you not construction where under 35 is prime. the college i went to WAS nontraditional- mostly adults...i enjoyed it- they brought alot to the table.

defiantbadgirl -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 4:11:34 PM)
The funny thing about it is the fact that those who decide who gets in are older than I am by quite a few years. That's why I'm surprised at their discrimination. I did learn today that most of the nontraditional students at the school are going for business and teaching degrees. Teaching requires quite a bit of schooling as well, just like social work.

faerytattoodgirl -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 4:14:41 PM)
well im discriminated against for being old too....see i cant date a teenager... its quite illegal..unless they're 18-19..but what if i liked a 16 yr old???? i can pass for a 16 yr old...hell i get carded everywhere. god im so old.... and im not even 40 yet...

defiantbadgirl -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 4:17:27 PM)
I hear ya. I occasionally get carded for cigarettes myself and I'm 34.

faerytattoodgirl -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 4:19:24 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl I hear ya. I occasionally get carded for cigarettes myself and I'm 34. well you see..my most fav thing is goth girls...and the problem is..they're all teenagers.... but i got a goth faery tattoo on my arm as a replacement for that issue. too bad she doesnt talk though...not like that tattoo on x-files that talked this doesnt have special russian or was it german red ink.

thornhappy -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 4:28:57 PM)
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 been a non-traditional student twice (once at 31 and once at 39). Both times I worked with other non-trads, and also the younger set. I was a TA the second time, and still had some things in common (watching MTV's Jackass for one, and some tastes in music). The only part I thought was a pain was the dating scene....pretty much out of the question as far as I was concerned. It's still possible to socialize with them, even if you occaisionally want to go "eh, get a clue!" I just remembered myself at that age and cut them some slack....unless they were not turning in assignments. Perhaps you should look for concrete examples of how you're coming across to them. I know at least a few of my classmates who could almost make a drinking game out of the number of times in a week I'd say "In industry they wouldn't pull that crap!" The only outright "discrimination" problem for me was the views of the Pell grant folks, and the FAFSA folks. They figured every undergrad was living at home and could save 50% of their pre-tax (yeah, that's pre-tax) income. I was living independently, paying rent and a car payment. It wasn't pretty. thornhappy

defiantbadgirl -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 4:37:45 PM)
I often exchange hellos when I see my classmates outside of class. My advisor tells me they all hang out together though and I think she expects me to do the same. I guess I'm just afraid they will wonder what's wrong with me if I, as a 34 year old, start following them around.

AquaticSub -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 4:43:19 PM)
I dunno about other colleges but at mine, all the interesting classes seem to only for adults continuing their education, what they pay is less than half what I have to, and they are exempt from many of the fees traditional students have to pay. It's the point where a few traditional students are leaving, waiting until they are old enough and reapplying. Edited for really dumb typo [;)]

defiantbadgirl -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 4:45:02 PM)
Do you attend a public or private college?

AquaticSub -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 4:45:21 PM)
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 can't say I've ever heard the older students (30+) mention it. The only time I have seen the age gap really came into play was during a class on sexuality where we got to examine the different ideas regarding sexuality that people have grown up with. Isn't there a someone at the school who can help you with this, an advisor of some sort?

slaveboyforyou -> RE: discrimination and the nontraditional college student (1/28/2008 4:46:20 PM)
DBG, I was a non-traditional student. I went back to college when I was 27, and I went to a 4 year university. I had already accumulated over 140 hours when I went to school the first time as a traditional student. I spent those 140 hours (about 5 years for the non-knowing) drinking, smoking lots of pot, chasing everything in a skirt, and changing majors every semester. I had a lot of fun, but it wasn't a smart plan for my future. I went back when I was 27 after working every shitty job you can think of. That was a good lesson for me. I worked as a laborer, I posted billboards on the side of the interstate (not a good job when you are afraid of heights.), I waited tables, I sold cars, etc, etc. All of that told me that I needed to get an education. It wasn't about the money. It was about the quality of life, and having to do things I hated. I went back with the plan to become a high school teacher. I majored in social sciences, better known as liberal arts. I actually double majored, and got a B.A. degree in history and criminal justice in 2 years. I never did go through with teaching. I didn't want to take all the ridiculous pedagogical courses that are required of education majors. As far as I am concerned, there are too many education majors teaching history and not enough historians teaching it. So, I got a job working for a company that does government sub contracting. I make good money and have good benefits, but I am basically a clerk with a fancy title. I work with people that are far less educated than I am. I do have better options for advancement there, because management has to have a 4 year degree. But, I am not doing what I want to do. You have to prepare yourself for that when you major in the liberal arts. But, I will take this job over cleaning toilets any day. As to your post, there are 4 year colleges everywhere offering programs for non-traditional students. It does feel odd being the "old man" in the class, but I enjoyed going back to school. I actually took it seriously when I had to pay for it myself. I went to the University of Arkansas when was younger (UA is a huge school). I finished up at the smaller, state liberal arts university. Both colleges had a lot to offer. It just depends on what you want to do.

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