DENVER, CO, Sept. 27, 2011 – In August 2011, the United States experienced zero job growth according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the unemployment rate has increased another three percent since August 2008. While others are struggling in this economy, many Westwood College students are finding success by taking control of their futures through clear plans that build a path to career success not just land them a job. Westwood is promoting this way of thinking through its PATH to Success scholarship program. This year, 60 exceptional students from throughout the Westwood system were awarded a total of $80,000. Each scholarship winner demonstrated an ability to make a clear plan for establishing a career after college.
The 2011 Platinum $10,000 scholarship was awarded to Marcello L. Ramirez, a construction management major at the Chicago Loop Campus. Ramirez, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in December, is a shining example of what it takes to make it in this economy. According to Ramirez, his parents always set the expectation for him to attend college. He started college after high school but in 1995, when the economy was booming, he quit school and entered the construction field. “I thought I would have endless success with the skill set I had,” said Ramirez. “Boy, was I naïve!”
When the economy tanked in 2008, Ramirez took the recession lemon and made lemonade. “Where some people might see tragedy, I perceived unemployment as an opportunity to finish what I set out to do 15 years ago,” he said. Ramirez used his well-honed organizational skills to attend Westwood College as well as simultaneously attend a community college on a scholarship to earn more credentials. He did this all while working full time at a construction job.
“I was taking seven classes and attending school five nights a week and on Saturday mornings, but that wasn’t enough,” recounts Ramirez. “I believe strongly in the power of networking and upon enrolling at Westwood, I immediately began organizing my contacts and attending meetings for construction professionals.”
This effort landed him a paid internship and today he also serves as president of Westwood College’s Construction Management club. “Success doesn’t happen overnight,” notes Ramirez. “It takes a lot of hard work, motivation, dedication and discipline. If success were easy, everybody would have it,” he said.
According to David Borofsky, provost and chief academic officer at Westwood, Ramirez embodies the perfect candidate for a PATH award. “We established this program because we want students to know what they do beyond the walls of the classroom is equally important as what happens within them,” said Borofsky. “In their paths to success, Ramirez and the other award winners are checking off all of the recommendations we have for students and we are thrilled to see this.”
In 2011, 331 Westwood College students wrote essays in an effort to earn a PATH to Success scholarship. Three scholarships were awarded at each Westwood campus (Gold - $2,000; Silver - $1,000; Bronze - $500) and three scholarships in each category were awarded at the Online Campus. For a list of the winners by campus, go to www.westwood.edu.
As a career college, Westwood places a strong emphasis on providing students with hands on experience and offers career advising through their Career Services department from the moment a student begins class. Some of the advice offered includes things students should work toward outside of the classroom in order to build a career that is rewarding to them personally and professionally.
A few notable tips include:
- Networking – make connections while in school so you have a strong network of supporters to assist in your job search.
- Internships – hands on training is the best way to get a foot in the door.
- Portfolio development – once you have work to feature, you can prove yourself as a valuable asset to a prospective employer.
- Mock interviews – practice makes perfect and this is especially true with interviews. Test the waters with practice interviews before you begin your search.
- Professional groups – one of the best ways to learn more about an industry you are interested in is by getting involved in professional groups and organizations. You can do this as a student and get a head start on building a network of contacts.
- Informational interviews – a great way to gather intelligence on a company you may be interested in working with. Learn as much as you can before going in the door for an interview and a good way to do that is to interview others within the company.
About Westwood College
Westwood College is an institution of higher learning with 17 campuses located in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Virginia. Westwood offers a hands-on, career-focused curriculum featuring three-year bachelor’s degrees in many in-demand fields. Westwood is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), depending on the campus. For more information, visit /.