Spring 2005

Volume 8 Number 2
A publication of Macon State College

Kim Brown, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree at Macon State in order to enhance her career, works at Robins Air Force Base. (Photo: Sue Sapp)

Enrollment in the College's seven other four-year programs is booming with students who know that earning bachelor's degrees boosts their lifetime odds for steady employment, career advancement and good incomes. Now firmly established as a baccalaureate institution, Macon State will have graduated more than 800 students with bachelor's degrees by the end of the year.

Since most Macon State graduates remain in Central Georgia, bachelor's programs are key elements in the College's mission as a focused baccalaureate institution dedicated to the advancement of a defined region.

“A bachelor's degree is now the gold standard in the professional workforce,” said Macon State President David A. Bell. “Nothing's a guarantee, of course, but the statistics clearly show that a bachelor's degree significantly increases chances of career success.”

Besides the education program, to be launched this fall, Macon State offers bachelor's degrees in business, communications, health information management, health services administration, information technology, nursing and public service.

Business and IT are the two most popular majors, although all the programs have grown since their inceptions.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the typical college graduate earns about 75 percent more over the course of a lifetime than somebody with only a high school diploma. College graduates also tend to have lower levels of unemployment and are more likely to participate in the civic and cultural lives of their communities.

Macon State students pursuing bachelor's degrees are motivated by a variety of factors, but career enhancement is high on the list.

Take Kim Brown. A career civil service worker, she is now inventory management specialist of the propeller components used on the C-130 aircraft at Robins Air Force Base. When she completes her bachelor's degree in business next year, Brown expects to be in prime position to move into program management.

“Working for the federal government, I get more points toward future promotions with a bachelor's degree,” Brown said. “Just as importantly, working on this degree is helping me expand my knowledge and understanding of how to better serve my customers and support the operation of the aircraft directorate.”

Brian Tucker, an IT major who, like Brown, takes classes at the Warner Robins Campus, remained in Houston County after leaving the Air Force and his last assignment at Robins. He hopes to begin a master's in business after completing his bachelor's degree.

Macon State “was one of the major factors for me leaving the military and staying in this area,” said Tucker, now working as a technical publications specialist at Northrop Grumman. “I love school and I love to learn. It helps me think critically and hopefully make better decisions in life.”

Macon State's bachelor of science in nursing, or the RN-BSN completion program, is less than a year old and will produce some 15 graduates from its charter class this summer. Among them is Dana Branchetti, a Registered Nurse for nearly 20 years who is interested in getting into management.

“The qualifications for management have expanded in the past 10 years and a BSN degree is almost mandatory for those positions,” she said.

For Jessica Kelly, a 24-year-old communications major, a bachelor's degree has been a self-imposed mandate since she began college.

“I won't be as well-prepared for a job without a four-year degree,” said Kelly, who graduates this spring. “The greatest value is in being well-rounded. Working on my bachelor's has helped me grow a lot, personally and professionally. It's given me a lot more confidence.”

Kelly is still weighing what kind of career she wants, but she is thinking about professional writing or going to graduate school as a step toward someday becoming a college professor.

Jodie Fleming, a senior in the health services administration program, knows exactly what kind of career she wants: pharmaceutical sales. Fleming has worked in advertising and sales for several years, but she said the message she has gotten when applying for pharmaceutical sales positions has always been the same: come back when you have a bachelor's degree.

“Earning a bachelor's degree is important for that sense of self-accomplishment,” she said, “but it's also important as an advantage in the job market. There are a lot of people interested in working in pharmaceutical sales who already have their degrees, so there was no question of me going for a bachelor's if I expect to compete.”

Jeanette Jackson, a junior in the health information management program, is enhancing her marketability in the medical field, in which she started out as a licensed practical nurse. She hopes to become a department director in the HIM field, then later start a consulting business.

Ironically, Jackson took her first health information management class only as an elective. She enjoyed the class and learned more about HIM's hot job market.

“You just have a lot more options with a bachelor's degree,” said Jackson, who already holds an associate of science from Macon State.

Chiquita Jackson (no relation) agrees. A former corrections officer who now works as a dental assistant, Jackson thinks it makes economic sense for her to get a four-year degree. She already holds an associate of science degree.

“I'd like to work at DFACS (Department of Family and Children Services) or in a school system in an administrative capacity,” Jackson said. “With more education I'll be in a position to get a job where I can effect change and set policies to better take care of the well-being of children. I plan to get a master's degree, and eventually my doctorate.”

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