Monthly Archives: February 2015

Opinion

Getting Sick of Snowtopia?

 

This past month here in New England can be described in one word: snowy. With record breaking snow falls drowning us in feet of snow every week, these snowy New England winters get old real fast. If you’re like me and are sick of living in cold New England, there’s hope! Take a look at these Top 4 colleges to transfer to after your time at NECC, all of which are located in warmer areas around the U.S.

#4 Coastal Carolina University
Located only 8 miles from beautiful Myrtle Beach, this university is a must for beach lovers. Located in South Carolina, CCU features degrees in business, science, liberal arts and much more. Founded in 1954 CCU, hosts close to 10,000 students each year. During South Carolina’s winter season, the temperature is around 65 degrees which may seem cold to the natives, but for New Englanders, that’s warm! If CCU seems like a match for you visit its website at http://coastal.edu/

#3 University of California, Los Angeles
Located on the opposite side of the country, UCLA is located in Los Angeles, miles from Sunset Blvd. For Hollywood and celebrity fanatics, UCLA could be perfect. With famous Santa Monica and Venice beach just minutes away by bus or car, this University has a lot to offer. UCLA features degrees in anesthesiology, musicology, nursing and over 50 more to choose from UCLA has a lot to offer. Founded in 1919, UCLA host close to 30,000 students each year, so if you’re into big atmospheres consider UCLA your next stop in life. For more information visit their website at http://www.ucla.edu/

#2 Oklahoma State University
Located in the middle of the U.S. in Stillwater, Oklahoma, OSU is a major University in Oklahoma. Home to the OK Sooners, this university is a way to get away from the city and enjoy what the south has to offer. With summer temps reaching close to 100 degrees, if you love the heat, Oklahoma is the place for you. Founded in 1890, OSU hosts more than 30,000 students each year. With degrees in education, arts, and human services, OSU shows just how much the south has to offer. For more info visit http://go.okstate.edu/

#1 Full Sail University
My top pick is located in warm sunny Winterpark, Florida. There is nothing winter about this town. With winter temps in the high 70s and 80s, this is the top spot if you enjoy the warm laid back lifestyle that Florida has to offer. Founded in 1979, FSU hosts close to 15,000. Known as an entertainment school, FSU has degrees in sports broadcasting, computer animation, game art and so much more. FSU has so much to offer and lead you to great opportunities. Located only 25 minutes from Orlando and Disney World, and located near beaches and lakes to relax after your studies, FSU earns its number 1 spot. For more information visit www.fullsail.edu/

Opinion

NECC Students On Netflix

 

By Edwin Henriquez

NECC students prefer streaming films and shows rather than buying them.

Services like Hulu and Netflix have become a juggernaut in the entertainment industry. With millions of subscribers signed up for these streaming services, the question that remains is “Are the cable and theater companies in trouble?”

According to oppositeviews.com, “CNBC reported that 30 percent of viewers ages 18 to 24, and 37 percent of viewers ages 25 to 34, had given up paying for cable tv in favor of using Netflix.

Ericrettberg.com wrote, “Since Netflix can be accessed anywhere there is internet access, it does indeed take away sales from simple things such as paying to rent a movie on a plane, buying a DVD at a store, or even going to the movies.” NECC students share similar outlooks to those in the media.

A computer science major from NECC, Steve Vega says that Netflix is really cheap and the movie and show titles are endless. Vega goes on to say, “If Netflix showed football games, I would cancel my cable.”

An accounting major at NECC, Vince Rabkin, says that Netflix is very convenient for him. Rabkin said, “House of Cards has become my favorite show, Netflix is doing a good job at producing their own programing.”

Another NECC student, Nicholas Morris, said that although Netflix is a valuable service to have, he does not plan to get rid of his cable.

The overwhelming number of positive reviews has proved that Netflix is here to stay. It will be interesting to see what steps the cable and theater industries use to combat these opposing forces.

Campus Life

NECC PACE Transfer Advisor Highlights Program’s Purpose

 

By Erica Croteau

Because NECC houses more than 70 associate’s degree programs and certificates, students are able to transfer out of the community college with a degree in hand. While the transferring process includes several steps and fine details, the PACE transfer program assists students from start to finish.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, PACE is able to support first-generation, income eligible students with graduation and transfer processes. While being funded by the government, PACE is only able to service NECC students who meet criteria that is purposely outlined by the government.

Once deemed eligible, students are able to meet with advisors in order to see what needs can be met and what steps can be taken.

NECC transfer advisor, Kristen Arnold, said, “my goal is to meet one-on-one with all our students to help them clarify their career and transfer goals.”

During this process, advisors implement a transfer questionnaire that allows them to understand factors that will ultimately sway a student’s decision to transfer. This could include aspects such as a student’s intended major, a price range and whether or not he or she plans to commute. Once these factors are outlined, students and advisors can work together to create an appropriate application list that will allow them to move forward in the process.

As the transfer process includes many steps and details, Arnold voiced that paperwork becomes one of the most difficult challenges when going through the process.

“Depending on where students apply and how many colleges they decide to apply to – the paperwork can get a bit complicated. It’s really important to stay organized and ask your advisor for help when there is something you receive that you don’t understand,” said Arnold.

While the process could pose some difficulties, Arnold has seen that starting out at NECC makes a difference in several aspects of a student’s academic career. When asked if NECC transfer students have been properly prepared academically, Arnold said, “our students do very well when they transfer and transfer admissions staff have also commented to me on how well prepared our students are for upper level coursework.”

From start to finish, PACE offers eligible students the chance to make that successful transition while making sure that each step is checked off and completed correctly along the way.

With spots currently open in the PACE transfer program, reach out to Kristen Arnold atkarnold@necc.mass.edu to see if you are eligible for their services.

News

Opening up doors for future employment

 

By Shaina Richards

The internship program at NECC recently started up again this semester for Communications, Business, and CIS majors.

Sarah McCarthy, Chris Bowden and Brian Hough started as interns at HC Media, the local public access studio in Haverhill and were able to become permanent employees.

Internships open up opportunities for future employment by building up students’ resumes and providing students with important contacts and experience in their desired field of work.

McCarthy, who has been working at HC Media for 2 years, was one of the first students to do an internship at HC Media through NECC. She had been attending college at NEIA in Boston, but when it became too expensive, she came to NECC.

McCarthy had a background in film, so she decided to take both the TV Production and Video Production classes offered through NECC. She started volunteering at HC Media in 2012 and became an intern in 2013.

As a volunteer, McCarthy worked more on the shoot. As an intern, she worked more “behind the scenes” by helping to also prepare for the shoot.

“Volunteer work was more relaxed, putting in the effort you wanted to put in. As an intern, there was more emphasis on doing things in a timely manner,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy ended up not getting the three credits for taking the internship class, because after only three months as an intern, she was hired as a production coordinator at HC Media. She is currently content with how things worked out.

“I’m good here. HC Media is really growing, and I’d like to see where they go,” said McCarthy.

Chris Bowden, age 30, will have been employed at HC Media for 4 years this September. He also started as an intern and had taken the TV Production course through NECC.

“At that particular time in my life, I had no real direction and was struggling to find a career path. Not long after being in the class, I realized that video production and technology was something that I was passionate about, and I desired to know more,” said Bowden.

After becoming a member at HC Media and becoming “acclimated with the video production process,” Bowden volunteered for any and every shoot. Soon after, he was offered an internship as the videographer for the city government meetings.

“Being an intern and full-time staff member, I have gained an immense amount of knowledge that has helped me build my career as a videographer, producer and editor. I can safely say that HC Media has equipped me with the tools and know-how of video production that I otherwise would not have been able to acquire without expensive education and years of training. I greatly benefited and grew as an individual from hands-on training and by working side-by-side with the amazing HC Media staff and other volunteers,” said Bowden.

Brian Hough, age 21, started video production classes during his junior and senior years in high school.

“I fell in love with video production, particularly editing, in a whole new way,” said Hough.
As a Haverhill resident, Hough knew HC Media was a great local station where he could learn more. He spent three years as a member and interned during the summer at HC Media.

Bough said, “HC Media was also my first real step into a professional working environment. That’s where I really learned a lot of my time management skills, something that has come in handy.”