NECC Attracts Those with College Degrees

Increasingly, individuals who already hold college degrees are turning to Northern Essex Community College for associate degrees or certificates. Whether it’s to change careers or follow a dream, NECC is a destination for degree holders.

Samantha Romano of Kingston, NH, is just one example. A three-sport athlete out of Sanborn Regional High School, she believed that physical science was a natural path for her when she first enrolled at Plymouth State University. Still, while physical science interested her Romano found herself, upon graduating, looking in other areas for career advancement.

Just one computer class at Northern Essex convinced Romano to pursue her Associate Degree in Computer and Information Sciences.

“I asked myself ‘Why didn’t I do this sooner?’” she says. “Now I love everything I’m doing. There is always a challenge.”

Her time at NECC was well spent. An internship with a computer company led to a job offer — she was employed before she graduated in 2016. Today she works for yet another computer company where her career continues to advance.

“Honestly, making the decision to go back to school at NECC was one of the hardest but most rewarding decisions I’ve made,” she said.

Romano is not alone. Between five and six percent of students enrolled at Northern Essex are previous degree-holders. This number is in line with the national percentage based on a survey by the Center for Community College Student Engagement at the University of Texas – Austin that was cited in a 2015 U.S. News & World Report article. While most of these students have bachelor’s degrees, some even hold master’s degrees or doctorates.

Katelyn Richardson, American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Certificate Program Graduate

“We have students who have a master’s degree and they are not finding a job in the area they thought they would, or are working at a job and it went away,’’ says Grace Young, dean of academic policy, advising, articulation, and transfer at Northern Essex. “In some cases, it’s not that there are no jobs, it’s just that they’ve been at a job and have a different interest.’’

Young noticed the trend starting within the past couple of years. She says there is strong interest in health care and human service programs such as respiratory therapy, sleep technology, and alcohol and substance abuse counseling. The reasons and programs may vary, but the outcome is the same – personal satisfaction or career advancement.

Wilmington’s Katelyn Richardson had already earned a bachelor’s degree in health science with a minor in biology from James Madison University when she enrolled in NECC’s American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Certificate Program. She is waiting to begin a Physician’s Assistant (PA) Program at another institution this fall. She hopes to become the rarest of commodities – a PA who is fluent in ASL.

“I was looking for a program that fit my schedule and was affordable,” she said. “I found what I was looking for at Northern Essex.”

Between five and six percent of students enrolled at Northern Essex are PREVIOUS DEGREE-HOLDERS