Undergraduate college, for the majority of the population, after high school graduation and continues until the desired degrees have been achieved. However, that is not everyone’s situation. Some of it comes down to circumstance, and sometimes it is a personal choice.
Irma Ali, a 30-year-old mass communication student with a strategic communications concentration started college in 2021 at GCSU. She had originally begun her college journey in 2012, after she graduated high school, but quit to start her own photography business.
When Ali moved back to Georgia, she decided she still wanted to obtain her bachelor’s degree.
A concern with coming back or starting college at a non-traditional time is that all of your peers will be younger than you. However, the only difference Ali has noticed is that she feels as though is taking classes more seriously since she has already started her career.
While being a full-time college student, Ali is also working full-time and commuting. When she originally started college in 2012, she was unemployed and living on campus, showing her how being an adult can make balancing many responsibilities more difficult.
“I feel more confident in my career path and choices,” Ali said. “I’m taking everything more seriously and taking better advantage of opportunities on campus. It’s more about time management now and realizing I’m on my own as an adult.”
Even though Ali has her own photography business, part of the reason that she wanted a degree in mass communication was to expand what she was able to do. Many feel that a communications degree can open many doors.
“I hope to be doing PR for a record label or advertisement/social media for brands I love and believe in,” Ali said.
Currently, Ali is building her professional website in her senior career development course and is finding that being 30 in college with the experiences she has may be beneficial in the long run.
“I’m seeing a major impact while I’m building my resume versus my classmates,” Ali said. “I’m struggling on what to keep on there while others are trying to find things to put on it. I think I might have a leg up in that aspect.”
Building a professional profile with around six years of professional photography work gives Ali a headstart in the kind of content that employers will be looking for. Now that she has a degree almost completed, she is more than the full package.
Non-traditional college students who may be afraid to get out there and be involved on campus can look to Ali, as she attends mass communication department events and works with GC360, GCSU’s college news station.
Ali is making the most of her college experience and encourages all other non-traditional students to do the same.
“Do what you want to do no matter what others have to say,” Ali said. “I felt so unfulfilled after leaving and it feels amazing to be almost finally done after coming back. Things will fall into place. Everyone has their own timeline.”
