WEBVTT 00:00:18.046 --> 00:00:22.755 Last year, for the first time, Greg Buell lived on his own. 00:00:22.756 --> 00:00:25.885 He started classes at Seattle Pacific University, moving here 00:00:25.886 --> 00:00:28.655 from his parents' home in Eastern Washington. 00:00:28.656 --> 00:00:31.935 A big step, but not as far as he might have gone. 00:00:31.936 --> 00:00:33.725 The main reason I liked here is 'cause it was closer to home. 00:00:34.236 --> 00:00:36.115 I was looking at a school that my brother went to 00:00:36.116 --> 00:00:38.425 in Southern California, but that was just too far away; I wanted 00:00:38.426 --> 00:00:41.205 to come home on three-day weekends if I wanted to... 00:00:41.206 --> 00:00:43.100 Greg wasn't new to college life. 00:00:43.136 --> 00:00:46.375 He'd already earned an associate degree from Columbia Basin College, 00:00:46.376 --> 00:00:50.595 knowing that he'd transfer eventually to a four-year university. 00:00:50.596 --> 00:00:53.565 The two years he spent at community college made it 00:00:53.566 --> 00:00:57.165 financially possible to continue at a private school of his choice. 00:00:57.166 --> 00:00:59.325 The big thing for me is the financial aspect of it, 00:00:59.326 --> 00:01:03.475 is I can't afford four years of $20,000 a year; 00:01:03.476 --> 00:01:06.795 I don't have that kind of money; so to do two years at a 00:01:06.796 --> 00:01:11.455 local institution where you have free rent, free housing, 00:01:11.456 --> 00:01:17.105 free food-if you're living with your parents-to do that was a major thing. 00:01:17.146 --> 00:01:19.645 For many students, community college is a great way to start. 00:01:20.866 --> 00:01:23.635 Besides lower tuition, the smaller class size is a big advantage. 00:01:24.946 --> 00:01:26.665 I know that we tend to give our 00:01:26.666 --> 00:01:29.775 students a lot of individual attention; our faculty know our 00:01:29.776 --> 00:01:32.985 students for the most part, I think, on a personal basis, 00:01:32.986 --> 00:01:37.115 and they're willing to listen to situational stories that come up 00:01:37.116 --> 00:01:40.025 in people's lives; and accommodation arrangements 00:01:40.026 --> 00:01:43.235 are done fairly quickly and without too much fanfare. 00:01:43.236 --> 00:01:46.405 For some careers, a two-year degree is all that's 00:01:46.406 --> 00:01:49.815 needed, making community college an end in itself. 00:01:49.816 --> 00:01:52.835 But if you're looking toward a bachelor's degree or beyond, 00:01:52.836 --> 00:01:54.935 you need to start making plans now. 00:01:54.936 --> 00:01:58.005 I think the moment they step in the door on campus, they 00:01:58.006 --> 00:01:59.675 should be thinking about, "Why am I here? 00:02:00.286 --> 00:02:03.215 What are my short term goals, what are my long term goals?" 00:02:03.716 --> 00:02:08.315 And in that process of thinking about it, they could then begin to look for 00:02:08.316 --> 00:02:10.515 classes that will point in that direction. 00:02:10.516 --> 00:02:12.335 Determine the prerequisites you'll need for 00:02:12.336 --> 00:02:16.035 your major, then make sure you're taking the right mix of classes 00:02:16.036 --> 00:02:18.375 for the most effective transfer. 00:02:18.376 --> 00:02:19.775 For example, you'll need a 00:02:19.776 --> 00:02:23.200 heavier math and science load for an engineering degree than for journalism. 00:02:28.046 --> 00:02:31.405 Start by mapping your path. 00:02:31.406 --> 00:02:32.825 What careers are you considering? 00:02:32.826 --> 00:02:35.000 Do you need a technical or two-year degree? 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:36.695 Or do you need at least four years? 00:02:36.696 --> 00:02:39.015 Will graduate school be necessary? 00:02:39.016 --> 00:02:42.200 Will your career be both challenging and rewarding? 00:02:42.556 --> 00:02:45.625 Well, you want to look at yourself. 00:02:45.626 --> 00:02:47.000 What are your values? 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:52.000 What are the things that make up you as a person, your likes, 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:58.035 your dislikes; and then you begin to look at occupations. 00:02:58.036 --> 00:03:01.115 And then you try to make a match. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:05.945 Check out the career services or career counseling office on your campus. 00:03:05.326 --> 00:03:09.095 Besides career ideas, they may offer aptitude or 00:03:09.096 --> 00:03:11.575 interest tests to see how you compare to people who are 00:03:11.576 --> 00:03:14.365 successful in various professions. 00:03:14.366 --> 00:03:15.875 The sooner you're able to focus 00:03:15.876 --> 00:03:19.000 on what you really want, the better you'll be able to plan. 00:03:19.226 --> 00:03:20.975 It's just as important to spend 00:03:20.976 --> 00:03:23.415 as much time researching what you're going to do as far as 00:03:23.416 --> 00:03:28.985 your employment than it is to research the college you're going to go to. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:32.835 So it certainly helps to spend some time getting really 00:03:32.836 --> 00:03:35.765 a good idea of what kinds of employment, what kind of skills 00:03:35.766 --> 00:03:41.435 and gifts that you have, so that you can look for a job that 00:03:41.436 --> 00:03:42.815 you'll really want to do. 00:03:42.816 --> 00:03:45.435 Next, choose the best college or university for you. 00:03:45.436 --> 00:03:48.365 Do the school's academic strengths match your goals? 00:03:48.366 --> 00:03:50.095 Does class size matter? 00:03:50.096 --> 00:03:51.375 Location? 00:03:51.376 --> 00:03:52.785 Expense? 00:03:53.100 --> 00:03:56.175 Or maybe the overall "feel" of the school is most important to you. 00:03:57.186 --> 00:03:59.715 That was a big factor for Greg in choosing 00:03:59.716 --> 00:04:01.215 Seattle Pacific University. 00:04:01.216 --> 00:04:05.005 Actually, my brother's best friend went here, two years 00:04:05.006 --> 00:04:09.915 before I came; and so I talked to him a lot and came over here 00:04:09.916 --> 00:04:13.985 a couple times and visited and did the tour thing with the staff 00:04:13.986 --> 00:04:17.325 here and just really liked the atmosphere-it was a real 00:04:17.326 --> 00:04:19.835 friendly atmosphere here and I loved the campus setting... 00:04:19.836 --> 00:04:22.455 If you have a disability, it's critical to visit the college. 00:04:22.456 --> 00:04:24.785 Can you get around on campus? 00:04:24.786 --> 00:04:27.825 Check out the library, dining areas, 00:04:27.826 --> 00:04:29.485 and other student facilities. 00:04:29.486 --> 00:04:31.255 Can you use them? 00:04:31.256 --> 00:04:34.115 If you'll be living in a dorm, will the university take care of any 00:04:34.116 --> 00:04:35.525 accommodations you may need? 00:04:35.526 --> 00:04:37.235 Some accommodations are clearly 00:04:37.236 --> 00:04:42.935 mandated by law, but other accommodations vary depending on the institution. 00:04:43.086 --> 00:04:45.195 So it's really important for a student to go to 00:04:45.196 --> 00:04:48.385 the schools that they're thinking about attending and talk with the 00:04:48.386 --> 00:04:51.255 Disabled Student Services Office to see what types of 00:04:51.256 --> 00:04:55.000 accommodations they would be able to receive at that institution. 00:04:55.256 --> 00:04:56.105 Hi, Greg, how are you? 00:04:56.106 --> 00:04:56.695 Doing good. 00:04:56.696 --> 00:04:59.265 One of your first contacts on campus should be 00:04:59.266 --> 00:05:02.735 the disabled student services office, or the staff person assigned 00:05:02.736 --> 00:05:04.725 to provide accommodations. 00:05:04.726 --> 00:05:05.595 They'll make sure you have the 00:05:05.596 --> 00:05:10.075 right documentation, help arrange accommodations, and act as a support system. 00:05:10.486 --> 00:05:12.095 Since the disabled student services 00:05:12.096 --> 00:05:14.605 coordinators are there to really serve you and try to make 00:05:14.606 --> 00:05:18.655 your educational experience as good as the institution wants it 00:05:18.656 --> 00:05:23.265 to be, they can be one of your best allies on any campus. 00:05:23.266 --> 00:05:25.395 They can also be advocates for students who are having difficulties. 00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:29.505 But don't wait until you're in real trouble before making the first contact. 00:05:31.406 --> 00:05:34.685 One of the things that I want to stress, 00:05:34.686 --> 00:05:40.235 that's critical, is for students with disabilities to come and use our 00:05:40.236 --> 00:05:43.105 services early in the process. 00:05:43.106 --> 00:05:44.865 Then, from the beginning, I'm in 00:05:44.866 --> 00:05:47.935 a better position to advocate strongly. 00:05:47.936 --> 00:05:48.665 Particularly if they come 00:05:48.666 --> 00:05:50.355 in on a regular basis so I know what's going on. 00:05:50.356 --> 00:05:53.445 Hi, I'm Dr. Price and this is Marriage and Family. 00:05:53.446 --> 00:05:56.845 So if you're not in the right Class, leave now 00:05:56.846 --> 00:05:59.025 You also have to be an advocate for yourself, 00:05:59.026 --> 00:06:02.285 especially when it comes to requesting accommodations. 00:06:02.286 --> 00:06:04.605 You're the expert on your own disability. 00:06:04.606 --> 00:06:07.525 For classrooms, the only thing I need is I have a smaller 00:06:07.526 --> 00:06:10.525 desk that's maybe a foot and a half off the ground, kind of 00:06:10.526 --> 00:06:14.435 slants at an angle; so I just sit in a normal chair and have that 00:06:14.436 --> 00:06:17.635 desk just on the floor, so that's where I do my writing. 00:06:17.676 --> 00:06:21.335 That's the only adaptation I need in the classroom. 00:06:21.336 --> 00:06:24.135 If your disability isn't obvious, professors may not 00:06:24.136 --> 00:06:27.345 realize that you have one-or know how to accommodate you, 00:06:27.346 --> 00:06:29.035 unless you tell them. 00:06:29.036 --> 00:06:31.125 A pre-class introduction helps to develop 00:06:31.126 --> 00:06:34.325 a rapport and to smooth obstacles in advance. 00:06:34.326 --> 00:06:36.405 Our disabled student services office 00:06:36.406 --> 00:06:39.895 writes a letter for each student that receives services through our program. 00:06:39.916 --> 00:06:42.895 It's directed to the professor; it talks about the fact 00:06:42.896 --> 00:06:46.025 that they've met with me, and I've reviewed their documentation; 00:06:46.026 --> 00:06:48.325 and then it lists out all the appropriate accommodations 00:06:48.326 --> 00:06:49.725 for that student. 00:06:49.726 --> 00:06:52.575 And basically, the student takes the letter to the 00:06:52.576 --> 00:06:56.465 professor, and sits down and discusses the accommodations one on one. 00:06:56.706 --> 00:06:59.515 Besides academics and accommodations, consider these 00:06:59.516 --> 00:07:02.685 other areas of concern when choosing a university: 00:07:18.126 --> 00:07:21.335 The Internet, the admissions office, and other 00:07:21.336 --> 00:07:23.500 students are all sources of information. 00:07:23.900 --> 00:07:28.000 Then, once you've chosen a four-year school, you actually have to go there. 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:30.000 The transition can be a little scary. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:34.245 I was concerned about it, just because with a disability, 00:07:34.246 --> 00:07:37.735 and moving into a new place, there's not always the same people 00:07:37.736 --> 00:07:39.485 around to help you that you need help from, sometimes. 00:07:39.786 --> 00:07:44.185 I think it was a transition for me, but after going through it, I don't think 00:07:44.186 --> 00:07:48.345 there was any big reason for that kind of fear that I may have had. 00:07:48.346 --> 00:07:51.705 Ask ahead of time if there are transition programs available 00:07:51.926 --> 00:07:56.595 Sometimes, freshman orientation doesn't include transfer students. 00:07:57.066 --> 00:07:58.000 The expectations are different. 00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:02.635 I think professors in four- year institutions kind of expect, 00:08:02.636 --> 00:08:05.335 essentially, that you've had two years of college level experience 00:08:05.336 --> 00:08:08.795 under your belt; that you already know what's kind of expected in 00:08:08.796 --> 00:08:10.735 the classroom, that they can assume that you know what a 00:08:10.736 --> 00:08:13.565 syllabus is, and how to follow it; how to get around the campus; 00:08:13.566 --> 00:08:17.395 and that you're going to be pretty self-aware enough to go find the 00:08:17.396 --> 00:08:20.515 bookstore and do all the stuff without as much orientation as, 00:08:20.516 --> 00:08:22.665 say, a freshman coming in who may or may not have had 00:08:22.666 --> 00:08:23.975 college level work at all. 00:08:23.976 --> 00:08:27.085 In other words, you're expected to plunge right in. 00:08:27.086 --> 00:08:30.565 You're also only two years from graduation, so you really have to 00:08:30.566 --> 00:08:32.735 start planning for employment. 00:08:32.736 --> 00:08:33.885 Look into internships as soon as possible. 00:08:35.166 --> 00:08:38.155 The career services office on campus can help you. 00:08:38.156 --> 00:08:40.665 We feel as though internships 00:08:40.666 --> 00:08:44.365 are the best place for a student to explore career opportunities. 00:08:44.366 --> 00:08:47.045 And the more that they can articulate their skills and their 00:08:47.046 --> 00:08:51.005 worth, the better prepared they're going to be to choose different 00:08:51.006 --> 00:08:53.755 types of careers that might be their best fit. 00:08:53.756 --> 00:08:55.905 For students with disabilities, there are some added benefits. 00:08:56.556 --> 00:08:57.555 A student with a 00:08:57.556 --> 00:09:01.345 disability has to also think about issues like how do I disclose my 00:09:01.346 --> 00:09:05.455 disability to a potential employer; what accommodations do I need 00:09:05.456 --> 00:09:08.215 on the job; where do I get those accommodations; how much do 00:09:08.216 --> 00:09:12.045 they cost; those types of things that the typical student might not 00:09:12.046 --> 00:09:14.675 have to think about, but the student with a disability not only 00:09:14.676 --> 00:09:17.485 has to think about, but feel very comfortable in portraying that to an employer. 00:09:18.396 --> 00:09:20.795 And internships can give a student an opportunity 00:09:20.796 --> 00:09:24.125 to practice that not once, but several times, with several different people. 00:09:25.376 --> 00:09:27.345 You can also learn what you don't like about a 00:09:27.346 --> 00:09:31.395 particular career, as Greg did in his summer public relations job. 00:09:31.396 --> 00:09:33.805 It was a great experience of PR, just learning how to do 00:09:33.806 --> 00:09:37.105 things was a great experience, how to do the focus sheets and 00:09:37.106 --> 00:09:42.175 news releases and video kind of things, but also realizing that 00:09:42.176 --> 00:09:45.275 there's some things that you have to look at in PR that aren't so glamorous. 00:09:46.026 --> 00:09:47.875 Greg knows where he's going. 00:09:48.516 --> 00:09:51.845 The step from a two-year to a four-year college was right for him. 00:09:51.846 --> 00:09:54.005 He made a plan for success, and you can, too. 00:09:54.006 --> 00:09:56.855 Map your path, choose your schools, 00:09:56.856 --> 00:10:00.465 plan your transition, and make the best choices for you. 00:10:00.466 --> 00:10:02.735 Which schools are going to help me to cultivate those 00:10:02.736 --> 00:10:04.825 skills and those gifts that I have, 00:10:04.826 --> 00:10:07.000 so I can best use them in the workforce someplace.