A Decline in Jobs Forces a Rise in Middle-aged College Students

College isn't just for the teenagers anymore. With the tanking economy in the past years in the united states it seems that many people who have attended college are now attending again. Jobs are scarce and it seems that the only way to even make a living now days is to go back to school and get a degree. It isn't easy in this life now days to start over and go to school. Many students have children, work part time jobs, and mainly just don't have the money. Financial aid is going up, and to many it is scary to think about paying off student loans for a school they may not even graduate from. Colleges around the country are experiencing a rise in the middle aged men and women attending their schools. There is not just a rise at LBCC but there is also a rise in other part of the country like Texas and Alabama. Parking lots are filled in the fall and also throughout the semesters. Robin McAllister of Alpine, Texas is a student going to Sul Ross State University. She has seen a huge rise in students of all ages attending even large universities. Her mother is also one of the students taking online classes and attending a part time job just to make a better living, find a better job, and raise a family. "I never thought my mother and I would be taking classes at the same time," Says McAllister, "but I guess that is what a tough economy does to people". Around the LBCC campus there are students that also have been to school when they were younger. Linda Milligan of Alabany, has a family and also works at the Benton Habitat For Humanity she attends school full time and is also a transfer student for Oregon State University. The tanking economy and not being able to find a job has brought her back to school. Milligan, "It's tough, but its life." The career counseling office at LBCC has had many opportunities for students to find jobs on and near campus. They help students find jobs that they love and help them better their lives. Carla Raymond from the LBCC career office has seen many times what the recession and state of the economy has done to students that are trying to find jobs. She informs students to attend career fairs. There is a lot of information out there that can help students follow their dreams. Make appointments with career counselors and employment specialists. They can critque your resume and help you succeed in finding a job. "Be persistent," says Raymond "We are in a recession, one of the best things you can do is to join organizations to get to know employers." There are many different websites that you can go to to help with career choices. To find employers who hire people in your field you can go to www.acinet.org/acinet. Its rough now days to find a good job, and to succeed in a career. All of our possible jobs are going overseas and getting transferred to China because its a lot cheaper. Many are struggling and it seems that more and more we are seeing homeless people begging on street corners, and freeway entrances. For some it seems that there is no hope. Everyone can make a difference in their communities and better their own lives. Don't let an economy of doom stop you in your tracks. There are options. At a glance: What: Career Services 33rd Annual Career Fair: Where:Activities Center At Linn Benton Community College (Albany Campus) When: April 14th 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM Who to contact: For more information contact Carla Raymond Email: carla.raymond@linnbenton.edu Phone: 541-917-4788

News issues

Tanking economy and job losses Nut Graf: The current economy has created job loss across the country. Many adults have come back to school because of job loss and trying to get a degree for a career. In the future will we ever get out of this recession? Or will we forever be in a tanking country that only results in homelessness and fear? 3 Sources: The Employment Office at LBCC Students that are looking for jobs Current students that have been in college before and came back because of job loss or trying to find another job. Questions: What are some issues that you face towards helping students find jobs in this economy? How difficult is it to find current jobs for students? What is the reason students come back to LBCC after being in school before? What are your opinions about the job market right now? How is the economy affecting you?

Presidential Elections 2012

Democrat. Republican. Liberal. Conservative. Left. Right. Yep that's right the presidential elections are here once again, and they are getting heated up for the big battle of who is going to be the next leader of the free world. After the 2010 elections we have seen first hand what the people are capable of. We watched Democrat senators and congressman be kicked to the curb by Republicans that were voted in by us the people of America. We also saw some of the Democratic leaders keep their seats and defeat the odds of what people thought was going to happen. The question is: What does this next election have in store for us? These past two years have stirred up controversy. Many people have been upset with the government and want change. There seems to be a split of what the people want and some people love the Obama administration and others hate it. There are already many candidates that have entered the race. Even some celebrities that want to show their side such as Roseanne Barr and Donald trump. There are even some candidates that we have seen once before in 2008, such as Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, the ever-possible candidate, Sarah Palin. Will they be able to triumph Barack Obama if he decides to run again? Although colleges accross the country have become a huge campaign area for candidates to focus on, many college students remain undecided when it comes to the elections. To be able to persuade young crowds is a huge accomplishment, but it is also harder for Republian candidates since students tend to lean towards the liberal Democratic side. LBCC student Ryan Murray gave his thoughts on the up coming presidential election. He believes the next two years are going to be rough. "I sure hope that Sarah Palin doesn't even run. We don't need a woman that thinks Africa is a country, but then again Obama isn't really what we need either. He hasn't followed through with anything he promised in the last elections." said Murray Kiesha Joslyn, a first year student who is new to voting commented, "When it's time to vote i'm just going to vote for whoever I think is going to make the best president. That is if I even decide to vote. I don't believe what the government is doing is right." Over the years it seems that the mudslinging and trash talk have only gotten worse. LBCC instructor Robert Harrison said the candidates aren't getting worse, but that there are more media sources and ways to put lies onto the air, and into newspapers. There are still many opinions as to what the outcomes for the 2012 elections are going to be. Harrison said, "It's going to be hard to beat the incumbents, it takes some pretty harsh conditions for an incumbent to be defeated. I would bet on Obama". "I believe the Republicans will take back the White House," Murray said. "Lets bring back George Bush" "The billboard asking Do You Miss Me Yet? Heck yes I do!" he added So as we enter the 2011 and 2012 years lets the annoyance of bad-mouthing and politics roll. Lets hear more about what is never going to be done and what the future has in store for Americans. Let us get used to being overtaxed and being trillions of dollars in debt. 2012 elections-- Bring it on. At a Glance What:Registering to vote in oregon Where: Oregon post office or online When: The deadline is 21 days before the nearest election Age: need to be 18 years of age or older. Additional information for registration call: 503-665-8510

Pam Folts Former LBCC Instructor Profile

Have an addiction to Farmville? Well look no further than Pam Folts. Pam Folts is just an average American who in her years of life has experienced more than the average folk. She has inspired children and adults to do their best and reach for the stars. Nothing is impossible. Pam in her early years moved from Modesto, California to Oregon and graduated from Oregon State University, then later on she became part of the Benton County Commissioners board. She and her fellow party members made many decisions that has inspired others to do the same. When Pam decided to retire from the board she went into teaching at Linn Benton Community College. She was an outstanding communications instructor. She taught Introduction to Speech 111, and also Interpersonal Communication 218. Many students loved her creativity and spontaneity. Pam's hobbies include traveling, and of course the dreaded Farmville on Facebook. In one of her classes she talked many times on how she wanted to form an elite group called "Farmville Addicts Anonymous". It would be a special group for those who spend all of their extra time harvesting their computer squash, and collecting milk from their virtual cows. The group would have a special interest to those who also have the farmville app located on their cell phones. Brittney Henderson of Albany was one of her students for her Speech 218 class. "Pam was such a fun instructor to learn from." Says Henderson, "I loved the way she taught her classes, and how there was never a boring moment. She made learning a simple subject fun". Many of the students who took any of her classes were always on the list to be in any more she had to offer. Eric Fuller, a former student that now lives in Texas, was a student who took all of the classes Pam taught. He was a facebook friend and also a rival political party member. Fuller, "I have many memories of Pam. There were plenty of times in class where we had our arguments of political issues, and things that had nothing to do with the lecture. She was my Farmville neighbor and also my favorite person at LBCC". Pam's teaching and the way she involved students made her an amazing instructor. Her smile brightens the room when she walks through the door. She has an awesome sense of humor and was never afraid to make jokes about herself. Plenty of her students had nicknames and she always seemed to go the extra mile for her students. If any of them needed help, she was there. She made them friends, not just students she sees two or three times a week. In her recent years Pam has now retired from teaching at LBCC, and currently resides in Winter Park, Florida with her husband Hal and daughter. After her retirement she traveled in one in a lifetime trip in an RV, and got too go on a road trip to many states across the west. Many of those states included Nevada, Utah, California, Wyoming, and of course Oregon. Pam is a great person. Her teaching will be missed by many at LBCC. Ending off by one of Pam's favorite quotes ,"Is it Friday yet?" At a Glance Who: Pam Folts What: She is a retired LBCC speech instructor Education: Graduated From Oregon State University Occupation: Retired Hometown: Modesto, California Current location: Winter Park, Florida Family: 2 daughters and 3 sons. Married to Hal Eastburn Interests: Traveling, gardening, and art.