Planet eCampus

When was the last time you paid for something using a check? Do you even own a checkbook? Do you carry and pay for things in cash? If you’re like me, the answers to these questions are... I don’t remember, no, and very rarely.  Today’s economy is driven by electronic payments, and there is a huge industry supporting those systems that is only going to get bigger - FinTech. FinTech, short for Financial Technology, encompasses all of the technical support systems that move your money from one place to another every time you swipe that debit card, make a purchase on your phone, or even use an app to send money to your friend. It’s an industry that is in high demand, and an exciting one to get in on if you are looking for a career change. Possible positions in FinTech include Application Developer, Web Developer, Analyst, and even Cybersecurity and Information Security roles.  Here are three of the top reasons you should consider a career in FinTech, especially if you’re here in G

Jeanette Cox, 35 Dalton State College BS in Criminal Justice Expected Graduation: December, 2016 What is your occupation? I am currently a full-time college student and housewife! What class(es) are you currently taking with eCore/eMajor?  I just finished a Corrections class this semester and am finishing up Criminal Law. Why is completing your degree important to you? I want to go on to law school. I already had an Associate’s Degree and I needed to finish up with the Bachelor’s so I could go on. Why did you choose to take online classes through eCore/eMajor? I began my entire first semester back to college with eCore. They offered all of the pre-requisite classes that I needed and it meant I would not have to drive 45 minutes to my college. They always have the classes that I need and I can take them on here when the times offered on campus do not match up with my availability!  How would you describe the instructors you've had in your eCore c

Alexandra, 16 University of West Georgia Chapel Hill High School Alexandra is a student at Chapel Hill High School and is currently attending college online as a dual enrolled student with the University of West Georgia.  Why is completing your degree important to you?   I plan to transfer my credits to UGA in order to pursue a degree in environmental sciences (most likely). This is important to me because I will not have the skills or qualifications to pursue a career in environmental work if I do not complete an accredited degree program.  Why did you choose to take online classes?  I chose to do online classes with eCore because I was not satisfied with the options available at my school, and due to my class schedule, extracurricular activities, and distance from my home institution, an on campus class would have been inconvenient for me How would you describe the instructors you’ve had in your eCore class? The online teachers are, in one word, distant;

There are many misconceptions out there about online learning. One of the biggest is that students in online classes are on their own to learn the material - with little to no support or assistance when they need it. In a quality distance learning program, nothing could be further from the truth.  Students in eCore and eMajor courses have access to several academic support services and resources. If you haven’t utilized any of the resources listed below, check them out. They may just be able to give you that extra boost you need to ace the class!  Embedded Tutors (STEM Courses)  Embedded Tutors are subject matter experts and are, as the name says, embedded inside all Science and Math eCore courses. These tutors are enrolled in the course just like students, so they are familiar with the course materials and assignments. Embedded tutors can help with content questions, clarification of assignments, or can even help you work out sample math problems or labs.  To communicate wi

Nicolle Coleman, 45 Dalton State College Expected Graduation: Spring 2018 Anyone who has been involved in the registration process (be it student, faculty, or staff) for an eCore or eMajor class has more than likely come into contact with Nicolle. She's the motor that keeps things going at eCampus during registration season, and she has a unique understanding of the needs of our adult learners because she is one herself. After leaving college 24 years ago to work in the corporate world and then to raise a family, she made the decision to return and finish her degree. She's been back in school for 2 semesters now, and has pulled off all A's! Let's learn a little about Nicolle and how she fits college into her busy schedule. Where do you work? USG eCampus, student services. What is your major? Organizational Leadership.  Why is completing your degree important to you? Lots of reasons, setting an example for my children is a big one.  No one on my s

Corrine Sweet is an Associate Professor of Business at Darton State College and an online instructor in the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership degree through eMajor.  Where did you complete your degree(s )? Ed.S. in Instructional Technology from Valdosta State, MBA in Information Technology from University of Central Missouri What is your field of expertise and what drew you to it? Business and technology.  I was first introduced to technology in elementary school when my class would get to go to the computer lab and use the Apple II’s and it has fascinated me ever since. How long have you taught online classes ? About 10 years Why did you choose to become a college instructor? I wanted to teach others about technology and prefer working with adults. What do you like most about teaching online? The variety of people I get to interact with. What was your most challenging subject in school, and how did you get through it? I’m currently taking a c

Sheryl Lance, 54  University of North Georgia During a presentation at this year's annual eCore Faculty meeting, I asked the audience to send me examples of students in their courses who were excelling in class. Before the presentation ended, I had an email from Dr. Nihal Gunay saying she had a non-traditional student that was taking her first online class, and "she has been awesome!" Let's meet Sheryl, our brand new and "awesome" online student. What is your home institution? University of North Ga.  Gainesville Campus What is your age? 54 Are you currently employed? If so, where and what do you do? Yes. Mulberry Farms, Inc. Office Manager/Accounting Why is completing your degree important to you? It is something I never had the opportunity to do when I was younger, but have always wanted to do. Why did you choose to take online classes through eCore/eMajor? I was feeling a bit overextended with working 50+ hours a week and

I am a working mother of two beautiful and energetic young children, a 5-year-old and an 8-month-old. I work at least 40 hours a week, so to survive the summer while the oldest is out of school, I have to have a plan. And I did. Luckily, my husband is a teacher and also has summers off, so he is able to stay home with the kids while I go to work. That is until yesterday, when he dislocated his shoulder and now has to wear a sling for up to four weeks. There goes my summer plan - out the window.  What does this have to do with adult learners? No, I am not one myself, but I do have similar responsibilities. Adult students have lives outside of college. They do not have a dorm room that they can hole themselves up in to cram for an upcoming exam. They can’t retreat to the library for an all nighter where they cannot be bothered. They have jobs, families, doctor’s appointments, birthday parties. To fit college into an already busy schedule, adult students have to have a plan. They hav

Dr. Elizabeth Gassel Perkins joined Darton State College in 2006 and is now the Dean of Humanities. She is also an online instructor in the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership degree through eMajor. Let's get to know Dr. Perkins! Where did you complete your degree(s)? Valdosta State University, Ed.D. in Leadership; University of Montevallo, BA and MA in English. What is your field of expertise and what drew you to it? I teach in three different fields: English (primarily), leadership, and first-year experience. I have wanted to be a writer since the age of about six or seven, and I spent my entire life working toward that goal. Of course, my specific passions have shifted throughout my lifetime, and when I went to college, I fell in love with editing by working in the Harbert Writing Center. I also had some excellent professors and thought I would like to follow in their footsteps and try to be the guide that other students might need. I started teaching

George Rhaney, 49 Fort Valley State University Major: Organizational Leadership Expected Graduation - May 2016 How many eMajor courses have you taken (or are you taking currently)?   I'm smiling as I have lost count!  I've been taking eMajor classes for a year and a half now. Why is completing your degree important to you?   My story may differ from the average eMajor student in regard to my primary reason for completing this degree.  As a full-time operations manager with over 21 years of experience and as a husband with three beautiful children, my primary reason for returning to earn my degree lies within the existence of my children.   My wife and I take our children's education seriously.  At 6, 8 and 15, each understands our expectation for higher education.  Though they have examples within our family of doctors, surgeons, and educators, I was a little embarrassed my name wasn't among them.  While those professions are not my goal, I wanted to be

Healthcare: the recession-proof industry. Whether the economy is booming or not, people are still going to get sick and there will always be a need for healthcare workers. If job security is something you are looking for, a career in healthcare makes perfect sense. However, if blood and needles aren't your thing, you may want to skip nursing or med school and consider the field of Healthcare Administration.  Healthcare administration is the business behind the care. Health administrators are the ones who keep facilities up and running behind the scenes so that you can get the care you need. Healthcare administrators work anywhere you would find healthcare providers, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, medical practices, and outpatient centers. But employment possibilities don't stop at medical facilities. Healthcare administrators are also needed in places that don't actually provide health care, such as insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, a

Dr. Sarah Kuck is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Darton State College, and was just recognized as the 2016 Regents Online Teacher of the Year. She has taught online courses for 10 years, and has has been an instructor with eMajor since Darton joined the collaborative program. This semester, she joins eMajor as the Academic Chair/Program Lead for the BS in Organizational Leadership and BS in Criminal Justice degrees. Take a minute to get to know a little more about our newest addition, Dr. Kuck. Where did you complete your degree(s)?  Georgia State University, Troy State University, and Valdosta State University What is your field of expertise and what drew you to it? Public Administration - I like political science and public administration is the most pragmatic in the field of study. Why did you choose to become a college instructor?  I love students. What do you like most about teaching online?  Online education allows students that normally woul

JaShondra Kenney, 30 Fort Valley State University Major: Organizational Leadership Expected Graduation: May 2016 Why is completing your degree important to you? It is important to me because it was always one of my biggest dreams to get my Bachelor's degree. Not from just any institution but from Fort Valley State University. My dream was put on hold after I had my son in 2008 and was no longer able to physically attend classes on the FVSU campus. This degree is important for my growth as well as the growth of my children. I want them to understand that even when life throws you curve balls, you can still dodge them and win the game. What are your career goals? I plan to start Grad school in about 6 months and get my Master's in Human Resources. From there, I plan to move up with the company I currently work for. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?  Growing up, I wanted to be a psychologist because I loved helping people with their problems. Wh

As those in the south can tell from the layer of yellow dust coating every outside surface, spring is in the air. And that means summer is just around the corner. For traditional college students, summer means a break from late-night studying, a time to travel or maybe make some extra money at a part-time (or even full-time) job. However, there are many benefits for those who choose to continue taking classes during the summer; and with online classes, you may even be able to have a little fun while you’re at it! Here are just a few reasons you should consider taking an online class this summer. You can shorten your time to graduation. Why restrict yourself to taking the traditional 10 classes per year (5 in the Fall and 5 in the Spring)? Taking 1-2 extra classes each summ er, along with a regular full load in the Fall and Spring semesters, means you can meet your graduation requirements sooner - sometimes by a full semester. You can take fewer classes in Fall and