September 2011Thomas Jack, Human Resources GraduateThere is a lot of uncertainty in the job market these days. Job security is hard to come by and unemployment is all too prevalent in our communities. Geneva College graduate, Thomas Jack, can speak to the fear and personal repercussions of the economy. However, he can also testify that experience, persistence and a Geneva College degree through Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCP) can go a long way in a cutthroat job market. Thomas spent 15 years working for a company in payroll and accounting. In the mid-′90s, he was informed that the company was closing and he would be out of a job. The shock of losing his job hit him, and his wife and three sons hard. He had credits from numerous colleges over Pennsylvania and Ohio, but no college degree to show for it. During this time he also volunteered at the Grove City Area Federal Credit Union on the credit committee reviewing and approving loans for applicants, but knew he needed to continue his education to find a job. When he first heard of Geneva College ADCP, he was thrilled to have found a program that could fit into his schedule, although hesitant that the workload may be unbearable for a busy family man. He silenced his doubts and signed up for the program, which led him down a career path that was greater than he had imagined. While Thomas worked to finish his bachelor′s degree, the Grove City Area Federal Credit Union began to grow. When he graduated in ′96, he applied for and received a job there as Vice President of Lending Operations—a job only available to those with a bachelor′s degree. On January 1, 2009, while the country was amidst the economic downturn, Thomas was promoted to CEO of the credit union. Since his appointment as CEO, the Grove City Area Credit Union has almost doubled its assets and the company is about to open a 9,000 square foot branch just outside of Grove City. Thomas attributes his success to the completion of his degree through Geneva College. “None of what happened in my life could have happened without my education from Geneva College. The caring and compassion from the staff helps the working family person get through.” He continues, “They taught me not to look at how much longer it was going to take, just take what comes next and do it.” |
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