Interviews

Interview with Robyn Karwowski, Concurrent Enrollment Alumni

• CollegeNow: "Robyn, how many college credits did you have when you graduated from high school?"

Robyn:

"I had 5 credits from TC3. Some of them I had earned through Concurrent Enrollment and some of them I had earned by trying a night class at the TC3 campus through the Tech Prep program (for more information on Tech Prep , visit our website). Actually, I could have had more dual credits, because I took BABCA and a few other computer courses at my high school where I could have registered for Concurrent Enrollment - but at the time I didn't understand what it was or why I would have wanted to do that. Later, when I came to TC3 I was able to use what I learned in those courses to test out of Web Design (CAPS 152) and some other courses that were required for my major - so I got a few more credits that way without having to repeat the coursework in college. I hope kids now realize how valuable these courses are and consider signing up for them - you might as well earn the college credit when you do the work."

• CollegeNow: "Have you ever taken an online course?"

Robyn:

"Yes, not in high school, but since then, while I was working on my Associates degree, on my Bachelors and even now on my Masters degree. I really like them. For me, I would prefer to read the information and teach myself online. In some regular classes, you read the material, understand it, and then go to class and have the professor explain it all over again. I like it that I don't have to be at class, and I can control when I am going to do the work required. Sometimes it saves me time, but sometimes it is more work too - depending on the professor teaching the course.

• CollegeNow: Do you think an online course is a good option for a high school student?

Robyn:

Well, I guess it would depend on the student. I think if I had taken one in high school, I could have done it, as long as I was focused and motivated to do the work. The thing is that some people are not disciplined enough. You can't forget to log on and do the work on a regular basis. The hard part is managing your time - you have to have a lot of self discipline to do an online course, because it's not like class is scheduled at a certain time - but there are still due dates for assignments and the work can really pile up if you don't work at it on a regular basis.

• CollegeNow: Did you save money using the Concurrent Enrollment?

Robyn:

Well, my mother works at TC3, so I get free tuition anyway. If that wasn't the case, however, then I guess it would have saved me money - especially if you consider the classes I later tested out of because of the work I did in high school. Those classes applied toward my degree, so those were classes I didn't have to take while I was at TC3.

• CollegeNow: What would you say to a student considering taking a Concurrent Enrollment course right now?

Robyn:

I think it is a great idea. It can be really helpful to you. One thing to consider is whether or not the class is going to be transferable or not in the future. If you know what you want to do with your future, it's a good idea to look at what kind of courses will be required in your college degree, and try to get some of those. If you don't know, then it's a good idea to stay with safe bets like ENGL 101, that will be required for almost any degree. One tip I'll give about TC3 - for some reason, the course we call PSYC 101 is actually Psychology of Personal Growth, which is not very transferable. Most colleges require Introduction to Psychology, which at TC3 is numbered PSYC 103.

• CollegeNow: What have you done after high school? Tell us a little bit about your aspirations, your college experience, and what you plan to do with your future.

Robyn:

Well, I have known for a long time that I wanted to go into politics. I want to be an advisor for the president. With that goal in mind, while I was at TC3, I majored in Liberal Arts, Social Science. Partly because the dual credits left me extra room in my schedule, I was able to have a concentration in courses on the law. I took a lot of criminal justice, and some sociology courses that had to do with Juvenile Delinquency. I also took some Law Classes. Through TC3, I was also able to do two internships at Disney, which gave me a lot of great work experience, and I got college credit for that experience through CO-OP. I am really glad that I was able to take the law courses, because it helped me to explore that area that I was interested in for my career, and helped me to focus my plan toward my goal. I graduated TC3 with highest honors with an AS in Liberal Arts, Social Science.

After TC3, I transferred to Texas A&M, with a full ride. I majored in Political Science with a legal emphasis. The legal emphasis part means I basically had a minor in paralegal studies - and my College had those courses approved by the ABA, so it qualified me to start work right after school.

Right now, I have a great job and I have started work in my profession. I am a paralegal / legal assistant at Hawkins, Parnell & Thackston, L.L.P, in Dallas, TX. What's great is that I've started work, at a great salary, in my profession, but I am still going to school toward my higher goal. I am working on my Master's degree at Texas A&M Commerce - getting an MA in Public Administration. I love that I am gaining experience working in my field at the same time I am furthering my education. I am also planning to do a PhD in Public Administration.