NECC Observer

Opinion

Letter to the editor: Students shouldn’t go hungry

By Mary Jo Shafer

To The Staff of The Observer, As an NECC faculty member, I express my solidarity with students who are advocating for more support from college leadership around the issue of food insecurity. I have two overlapping concerns. First, I also would like to see more attention to food access on NECC’s campuses. Second, more broadly, I see a need for better communication from college... Read More

Crafting an effective elevator pitch

By Katie Yeaton-Hromada, Coordinator for Career Services and Internship Programs

Imagine you are in an elevator with someone you hope to work. They turn to you and say, “Tell me about yourself.” You have 30 seconds before you reach the ground floor. Quick! What do you say? How much do you say? Your elevator pitch is a concise summary of yourself. The name “elevator” represents the short amount of time it takes to deliver, like the time it takes to go from ... Read More

Observer wants to thank supporters

By Mary Jo Shafer, Faculty Adviser

The Observer student staff and faculty adviser are thankful for the longtime support that they have found at NECC through the years. This extends to so many:  Faculty, staff, administrators, previous faculty advisers, and most importantly the students who read and contribute to the Observer. We think the Observer is a vital part of a vibrant community. We are proud to be part o... Read More

A cult leader and his followers

By Kim Zappala, Editor-in-Chief

 Donald Trump, often compared to a cult leader, has garnered what can only be described as unconditional love from a significant portion of the American electorate, with 71% of likely Republican primary voters preferring his truths over those from their family, friends, conservative media, and even religious leaders. This unwavering support is further evidenced by his followers... Read More

Trump’s Tweets turned threats

By Kim Zappala, Editor-in-Chief

In recent years, it’s become increasingly clear that the words and actions of politicians can have a very real impact on the safety and wellbeing of everyday citizens. This has certainly been the case with Donald Trump, whose frequent use of social media to criticize and attack his opponents has led to several individuals needing extra security measures to protect themselves fr... Read More

Redefining education: The journey of an Early College student into the world of engineering

By Lana Viola, Correspondent

Editor’s Note: Lana Viola is an NECC student and a Policy Fellow for the Massachusetts Alliance for Early College.  If you had the opportunity to take college classes during high school and save thousands of dollars while learning valuable skills, would you take it? As someone who had this chance through Early College, it was a no-brainer for me. Early College is the opportuni... Read More

Evaluating the Early College program in Haverhill

By Noelle Gregoire, Correspondent

Editor’s Note: Noelle Gregoire is a former Early College student at Haverhill High School and NECC and that she wanted to share this op-ed on the current view of the Early College program in Haverhill and the demographic of students participating. Recently a controversy sparked over who is participating in the Early College program within Haverhill Public Schools. At a school ... Read More

Planning ahead: Applying for summer and fall internships and jobs

By Katie Yeaton-Hromada, Coordinator for Career Services and Internship Programs

Did you know that many summer internships and job posts are posted between January and early March? Competitive fall semester internships are already posted! If you are interested in applying, it’s important to start searching early. Here is some important information to consider as you begin. Internships vs. Jobs Internships typically focus on learning and growing your skill... Read More

Donald Trump’s dangerous rhetoric

By Kim Zappala, Editor-in-Chief

Donald Trump’s communication, often highlighted by his use of divisive rhetoric and dangerous speech, stands as a powerful example of dangerous political discourse.  His approach, known for its antagonistic and emotionally charged language, employs strategies like the ‘big lie’ and ‘firehose of falsehood’ to influence public perception and rally his base, turning the very natur... Read More

Biden deserves more credit

By Kim Zappala, Editor-in-Chief

A Year of Transformation: President Joe Biden’s Accomplishments  In the corridors of power, where decisions echo through history, President Joe Biden embarked on a journey to reshape America. His first year in office was marked by determination, resilience, and a commitment to addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Here, we chronicle the milestones that defined his ... Read More