Online classes convenient option for working students

Amy Sears started college at age 33 to become an educator and to set a good example for her daughters.

"I kind of got married, had children and then realized I wanted to get into college because I wanted all my girls to go to college," said Sears, who has four daughters ranging from 14 to 21 years old.

"They see me going through school now. They want to go right after (high) school. They don't want to wait."

Sears is part of a large percentage of adult students in the area who work, have returned to school and take online courses for convenience.

A recent University of Phoenix survey indicates more than half of adults in the American workforce plan to return to school and the majority will take an online course.

According to the survey, nearly 60 percent of working adults plan to take an online course; adults 25 to 34 are more likely than other age groups.

The survey indicated almost nine out of 10 employed adults believe higher education is key to career advancement.

According to Clovis Community College president Becky Rowley, at least 60 percent of the CCC student body are working adults.

Sears started college in Pensacola, Fla. and enrolled at CCC shortly after moving to Clovis in August 2010. She is taking two online classes and two on-campus classes.

Sears said watching her mother return to school when she was 14 inspired her to do the same. She said she prefers face-to-face classes, but sees the convenience in online classes.

Sears organizes her academic workload and her daughters' sports, school and other activities with a color-coded planner. Each daughter has her own color.

Sears' oldest daughter is taking classes at CCC and her 18-year-old plans to attend college right after graduating from high school in May.

Rowley said many returning students depend on online classes to succeed academically while maintaining an outside job, raising children and having a social life.

"We have a couple degrees that are fully online and are generally for older students."

There are also commuting students who rely heavily on online classes.

"I've had a lot of students who didn't live in Clovis who have taken online classes because they would have had to drive 20 or 30 miles, and that's a major inconvenience," Rowley said.

Rowley said many students over age 25 strive to sharpen IT and computer skills for job growth. Also, Rowley said, many returning students who are retired military or retired from another field such as law enforcement go into nursing, the top major at CCC.

According to Eastern New Mexico University President Steven Gamble, about 15 percent of his student body are students over age 35, who are generally employed and support a family.

Gamble said these students take a mix of online and on-campus classes to earn a bachelor's degree to advance to the next level of their job.

"Online courses are convenient," Gamble said.

"They can take place when the student wishes. Students can do the majority of their online course when they choose so it fits well into their schedule."

Gamble said CCC and ENMU strive to offer online classes that provide as much knowledge as an on-campus course.

"I admire the student who can balance online courses with their job and family responsibilities," Gamble said.

"These are some of the hardest working students we have at ENMU."