Issue 17
2011 PATH to Success Scholarship—Apply by May 18
As a Westwood student, have you defined your career plan and outlined the steps you’ll take to secure a job in your field after graduation? If not, now would be the time to do just that and apply to win one of several PATH to Success Scholarships being awarded this year.
The PATH Scholarship program, which will award $80,000 in scholarships, was established to reward those who can demonstrate in two essays: 1) What your career plan is and what steps you are taking while in school to get a job in your field after graduation, and 2) Why you feel you deserve a scholarship.
One scholarship from each of the gold ($2,000), silver ($1,000) and bronze ($500) categories will be awarded on each campus. Three scholarships from each of these categories will be awarded to online students. One student from among all the Gold Scholarship winners will be selected to receive the $10,000 Platinum Scholarship.
Two of the requirements you must meet to apply for the scholarships are: 1) have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher, and 2) have completed three terms at Westwood prior to the application deadline of May 18, 2011. Find out the rest of the eligibility criteria and apply (if you meet all the qualifications).
Your Success Team
One of the greatest resources you have at Westwood is your own dedicated Success Team℠. These faculty and staff members are here to assist you at every stage of your academic career—from the enrollment process, to help with paying for college, course selection, no-cost tutoring, child care or just a pep talk. Get to know your Success Team members—their mission is to help you succeed.
Ear to the Ground
It’s Never Too Early to Think About Managing Your Student Loans
Even though you’re still in school, it’s important not to forget your financial obligations for repaying your student loans after graduation (or if you were to leave prior to graduating).
Student Loan Solutions (SLS) is a no-cost support organization that is available to help you figure out everything you need to know about paying back your loans. There are many affordable repayment options, and SLS will work with you to find a solution that works best with your life and financial situation.
It’s important to know that SLS is not a collection agency and will never ask you for money. Their job is to help you understand your federal student loans and to find a repayment plan that fits your life.
Following are some things you should know about federal student loans:
- Failure to pay back your loans is not an option! The federal government can and will:
- garnish your wages
- take your tax refunds
- deny federal student aid if you go back to school
- refuse to discharge your obligation in bankruptcy
- negatively affect your credit rating
- Find out how much you owe in loans. The Department of Education’s secure site that tracks information on your loans and grants, including amounts, outstanding balance and status.
- Understand your repayment options. The federal government offers many options to help you pay back your loans. Start thinking about repaying your federal loan while you’re still in school! SLS can offer ways to lower your payments prior to graduation.
For more information, go to Student Loan Solutions. It’s a great resource that answers many of the questions you may have regarding your federal loans. Or call a student loan advocate at 877-553-7010.
Graduate Profile
Kit Burgess, 2009 Game Software Development
Kit Burgess was just a couple months shy of earning his associate degree in computer science at another college. That’s when he learned he had to take another two years of general education classes before he could even begin taking programming courses for his bachelor’s degree.
Unwilling to postpone what really mattered to him, Burgess enrolled at Westwood and in three months was taking programming classes, saying that the “career-focused program renewed my love for learning.”
In addition to the curriculum and fast-paced program, the teachers and faculty were what Burgess enjoyed most about Westwood. “I became good friends with nearly every faculty member on campus, and they never failed to support me when I needed it,” he says. “Not only did Westwood get me a degree in three years, but I landed a job as a game developer before I even graduated!”
Kit Burgess is one of the Westwood 100. Click here to hear the story in his own words.
Job Tips
Internships can provide invaluable work experience and opportunities. They can teach you about what you do and don’t want to do in your career, and they’re a great opportunity to try different types of jobs. Even if the internship doesn’t provide direct experience in your major, it will offer true on-the-job training, and you will be better prepared for your next internship or full-time job.
Check out this article on the value of internships
Campus Briefs
Annandale Graduate Scores Gold ADDY Award
Jatanee (Jenny) Vingwon, a recent visual communications graduate from the Annandale Campus, has been awarded a gold ADDY through the Ad Club of Metropolitan Washington for her photograph entitled
“Jellie” in the digitally enhanced photography category. The ADDY Awards is the world’s largest advertising competition with over 50,000 entries annually. Vingwon’s award qualifies her for the Division Two competition.
Vingwon, who is currently working on a master’s degree in education at Liberty University, says her interest in photography stems from her “need to tell stories and ability to capture a moment in time.” Her training in graphic design has been fostered by how she shares special moments as they relate to family and potential clients. Click on Vingwon’s website to see more of her work.
On the Net
Employer Is Strong Advocate for Westwood Grads
Greg Caan, vice president of operations at Accelerated Network Solutions, says that the Westwood technology students he’s hired are “ready to go” when he brings them into the company. And it’s not just the graduates. During a recent IT systems installation, he was able to tap into several Westwood student interns to complete the project.
Caan, also a Westwood Program Advisory Committee member, has built strong relationships with Westwood instructors over the past several years. He’s impressed that the programs are built around industry standards and that the graduates are prepared to take key technical certification exams. When his company needs new talent—either full-time employees or interns—they use Westwood College as part of their recruiting pool.
Find out what more Caan has to say about his experience with Westwood graduates—and hear, in their own words—what two Westwood grads have to say about their continuing growth as employees at Accelerated Network Solutions.
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