Observer Department: Opinion
Invest in your career this winter
Congratulations – you made it to the end of the semester! Whether you’re starting a winter class, working, prepping for spring semester, or doing a bit of everything, now’s a great time to invest in your future. We’ve pulled together some career resources you can start using right away. Pick…
Looking forward to spring theater production
NECC Theater will be taking on Angels in America by Tony Kushner. To say I’m excited is an understatement. NECC is a multiple award winning theater program and I can not wait to see how they create this production. Angels in America is a Pulitzer Prize winning play about the…
On shame and guilt
“I wouldn’t want my money to go toward perpetuation of privilege,” declared Larry Summers, speaking to students at Northern Essex Community College on October 2, 2019, less than two months after the death of his alleged “wingman,” Jeffrey Epstein. The recent release of a trove of emails from the Epstein…
Getting ready for finals
Start searching for an internship
Internships are a great way to start exploring your career while you’re still in college. You don’t need tons of experience – just your coursework, curiosity, and willingness to learn. Whether you apply online or reach out to a company on your own, internships give you a chance to gain…
Uncertainty remains as Supreme Court rejects appeal on marriage equality
On Monday Nov. 10, 2025, the Supreme court declined a petition brought forward by Kim Davis, a former Kentucky County Clerk who gained national attention after failing to sign marriage licenses for same-sex couples. The petition was to revisit the decision made on Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark decision that…
Raising awareness for those suffering with CRPS
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 20.4% of U.S. adults (50.2 million people) experienced chronic pain in 2019. This means that about 1 in 5 adults in the United States lives with chronic pain, according to the CDC. Conditions such as complex regional…
X marks the spot
In response to The Observer’s shout-out in their October 9th issue about older students coming to NECC for educational opportunities, I want to shout back about how great NECC has been for us oldies who have ventured back into classrooms. I began my studies for my Associates in 2021 (which…
Major decisions: Tools to help you explore
Picking your major can feel like a defining moment. It might feel like you’re choosing your whole career with one decision. The truth is, you have options. Your major and career path are not a straight line, it probably looks more like a zig-zagging road, with many unnamed side streets.…
Learning with a disability
There are many types of disabilities that people must cope with. The challenge is how they cope with it in their everyday lives. Having a disability is a work in progress, especially with someone who has a learning disability, and I am one of them. All my life, going through…
