2008 Woodie Awards
Non-traditional students struggle to balance life and school at ISU
Alexandra Meiners ; Mass Communications Student
Issue date: 4/20/05 Section: News
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John Wilson sometimes has a hard time focusing on homework. He's like a lot of students. He's taking 15 credit hours, has work-study and a family.
He's easy to spot in the classroom. He is one of oldest people there, including the professor.
"Being in school makes me feel more youthful," he said. "Most students are the same age as my own kids."
Wilson, 57, decided to go back to school after 24 years. He said he felt like he needed a four year degree to be competitive in the job market.
"Going back to school had become a necessity," he said. "Companies have started making it mandatory for their employees to have four year degrees."
After receiving an associate's degree in computer science from the Air Force community college in 1978, Wilson worked as a computer consultant for 20 years and a database administrator for 15 years.
In July 2001, Wilson had been working for six months as a computer consultant and database administrator in Napa, Calif., when the contract he was working under was cancelled. This happened nine days after his wife, Pam, suffered a stroke during surgery.
After Wilson's contract was cancelled, he worked as his wife's primary caretaker for one year. In summer 2002, Wilson went back to school at Napa Valley College where he tutored students in a math, engineering, science achievement program.
In 2003, Wilson was continuing to tutor students when the director of the program told Wilson about a college fair, where Nathan Peterson, ISU director of recruitment services, was talking to students about the technology program and the out-of-state waiver for technology students.
"He made a good impression on me, and the program seemed good," Wilson said.
Wilson and his wife moved to Pocatello in summer 2003, so both could go back to school. As older students they had to deal with being disabled and getting around campus. Wilson has a back problem and knee problems that prevent him from walking and his wife has been disabled due to her stroke.
He's easy to spot in the classroom. He is one of oldest people there, including the professor.
"Being in school makes me feel more youthful," he said. "Most students are the same age as my own kids."
Wilson, 57, decided to go back to school after 24 years. He said he felt like he needed a four year degree to be competitive in the job market.
"Going back to school had become a necessity," he said. "Companies have started making it mandatory for their employees to have four year degrees."
After receiving an associate's degree in computer science from the Air Force community college in 1978, Wilson worked as a computer consultant for 20 years and a database administrator for 15 years.
In July 2001, Wilson had been working for six months as a computer consultant and database administrator in Napa, Calif., when the contract he was working under was cancelled. This happened nine days after his wife, Pam, suffered a stroke during surgery.
After Wilson's contract was cancelled, he worked as his wife's primary caretaker for one year. In summer 2002, Wilson went back to school at Napa Valley College where he tutored students in a math, engineering, science achievement program.
In 2003, Wilson was continuing to tutor students when the director of the program told Wilson about a college fair, where Nathan Peterson, ISU director of recruitment services, was talking to students about the technology program and the out-of-state waiver for technology students.
"He made a good impression on me, and the program seemed good," Wilson said.
Wilson and his wife moved to Pocatello in summer 2003, so both could go back to school. As older students they had to deal with being disabled and getting around campus. Wilson has a back problem and knee problems that prevent him from walking and his wife has been disabled due to her stroke.