Beyond the degree

Pursuing the college dream

Going to college is about getting a degree, but it’s also about pursuing dreams and passions, and the start of students making their mark on the world.

Every student wants to earn a certain degree or receive an education, but they all have their different reasons and stories for attending attend college. These can include pursuing their passions and dreams as well as attending Ferris to ensure that they’re ready for the next steps after college.

Not only that, but students come from a variety of backgrounds, childhoods and past life experiences that influenced their passions that they’re pursuing today.

Quinn Dinda (left) and Charlie Arellano (right) taking first day photos for Ferris’ social media while handing out popsicles and bottles of water. Photo by: Grace Heethuis | Culture Editor

Computer networking junior Jonathan Sawyer originally pursued interests in coding; however, over time, he found something else he wanted to pursue, even though his mother had a similar job.

“I chose college and Ferris specifically because the job I want to go into is easier if you have a college degree,” Sawyer said.  “And Ferris has one of the best programs to make me a better candidate. My mom does a similar job to my degree, but she had no effect on my decision. I originally started going into college wanting to be a coder, but I had taught myself how to code already so the classes bored me. I then took a class in computer networking, and I found it so fascinating and interesting to work with.”

College is a time when students decide what they want to do with their futures, regardless of what kind of background they come from. Sometimes that means pursuing their dreams after they’ve graduated.

First-year PharmD graduate student Meri Cox is continuing to follow her dreams by attending ferris. Furthermore, Ferris is one of the few options that Cox could choose for her specific program.

“There are only three schools in Michigan with PharmD programs, the others being in Detroit and Ann Arbor,”  Cox said.  “So, Ferris was the perfect fit for me because of its small-town feel. Ferris is allowing me to fulfill my dreams of being a pharmacist so I can help others feel better, and Ferris is known as the best pharmacy school in Michigan, and maybe one of the best in the country. I want to get the best education I can so that I can have the greatest head start I can when becoming a pharmacist.”

For some, graduation is not the end of the college experience. Depending on the degree, additional schooling is required, but that is just another step of the journey for students striving to accomplish their goals and dreams.

Business administration freshman Cole Slagle finds that attending Ferris is more important than just receiving a business degree.

“It is important for me to be at Ferris for my future profession because I want to have experience and real-world knowledge that internships and future business-oriented classes will provide for me,” Slagle said.

Slagle also stated his past experiences in business have all been very beneficial towards his future.

“My past experiences working with businesses have been very positive,” Slagle said. “Learning about all the different parts of a business made me appreciate the skills it takes to manage the people, the money and the different roles. And that skill is one that I would love to learn through my times at Ferris.”

Every student has their own journey while in college. What matters is that all students enjoy their unique journey, despite the trials, and do whatever it takes to make sure that they pursue what they love.