HAMLET – The second time was the charm for Christian Smith of Rockingham, who came back to RichmondCC looking to gain the skills for a career change. Not only did he get the skills, he got the job even before graduating.
Smith will graduate in May with an Associate in Information Technology with a concentration in Cyber Security. In February, he was hired by Burlington Industries for a data entry position. Smith was also working a campus job for the Information Technology Department when he got the job at Burlington.
As a Help Desk technician for the College, he quickly learned that it required good communication skills to assist both students and staff. He also learned good organizational skills that helped him in meeting deadlines and managing his time. Smith said the most important experience came from the actual IT-related work.
“The entire staff in the IT department has been essential to my education at RichmondCC,” Smith said. “Working alongside IT professionals has given me invaluable hands-on experience, and it has been its own educational journey.”
An Easy Choice to Come Back
Smith attended RichmondCC in 2009-2012, and he enjoyed his time back then at the College, so making the choice to come back was easy.
“A community college is both affordable and more convenient than a university,” he said. “I also find the atmosphere here very relaxing.”
Smith enjoys it so much he often spends more time on campus doing his homework rather than at home.
Smith said attending RichmondCC has helped him build a better life. He has met many friendly and helpful people, both students and teachers. If he was ever struggling in class or with an assignment, he knew he could rely on his classmates and instructors to help him.
“The instructors of the IT courses at RichmondCC are not only highly knowledgeable in their field, but they also possess the essential teaching skills to pass that knowledge on to their students,” he said.
Working Scholarship Makes Completion Possible
Smith was concerned about paying for college his second time around, since he was no longer eligible for the Pell grant, but then he received the Working Scholarship, which is awarded to working students who are not eligible for federal financial assistance. He said he is grateful to have received this scholarship, because without it he may not have been able to afford to complete his degree.
Smith said he would recommend RichmondCC to others because he thinks some people underestimate the value of the community college. He said it is a reliable and affordable gateway to a college education.
“Whether it is to transfer to a university or acquire a two-year degree, I believe RichmondCC is a great place for students to start or expand their education,” he said.
Register Now for Summer Semester
RichmondCC is now registering students for the Summer Semester. If you are interested in a career in Information Technology, you can start working on your degree this summer. Visit www.richmondcc.edu/admissions to learn more, or call (910) 410-1730.
Editor’s note: It is the policy of the Richmond Observer to print news release material in its original format as it was received with minimal, if any, editorial adjustments.
PHOTO CULTINE: RichmondCC Information Technology student Christian Smith was hired by Burlington Industries for a data entry position.
