91探花

91探花 Education and Career Counselor Eric Lofstedt never knows what awaits him when he walks through the doors of the My Turn adult education program in Manchester. Sometimes just a couple of students show up, sometimes a roomful. Some know exactly what they want for their future, others are trying to find their footing.听听

听On this rainy morning, Eric starts his presentation with a simple question: 鈥淒oes anyone know what you want to do?鈥�听

听The answers are mostly tentative. Massage therapist? Architect? Maybe an LNA?听

听Eric responds back with enthusiasm to each, adding a dose of legitimacy to ideas some may be voicing for the first time. 鈥淕reat career. 鈥� fantastic鈥�. absolutely.鈥澨�听

听Despite the unpredictable nature of his work here, his goal is always essentially the same.听听

鈥淭he basic idea is to help you figure out what you want to do next, and if you already know what you want to do next, how to get there,鈥� he explains to the students.听

听Next comes a presentation that covers the gamut, from choosing a career to considering training options, to paying for college or trade school. Afterward, Eric helps students one-on-one with their specific needs. One student needs assistance completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Another has questions about a scholarship. A third needs help with a practice test.听听

听鈥淓very time I go in, it鈥檚 different,鈥� he says.听听

听Just as there is no typical day at the My Turn Adult Education Program, there is no typical student. Most are working on earning their certificate of high school equivalency. A few have completed the program but need some specific supports. Students of all ages and backgrounds attend the free program and are welcome to enroll at any time.听听

听鈥淭he circumstances that bring people to us are wildly varied,鈥� explained Wil Crabtree, an instructor at My Turn, a nonprofit education and job-training agency with centers across NH and North Central, MA. Some students have experienced serious disruptions to their high school education, from car accidents to health issues. Some are immigrants who need further schooling because the work qualifications from their home country don鈥檛 transfer. A few are home-schooled students who just need their formal credential to go on to college. Many of the current students are still trying to get their education back on track after being derailed by COVID.听听

听Once they鈥檙e back on track, students need to find a way to move forward. That鈥檚 where 91探花 comes in. The regular听presentations,听which began about a year ago, have allowed My Turn to offer an effective bridge to college and career options.听听

听鈥淚t鈥檚 been a tremendous positive change,鈥� Crabtree said. 鈥淥ur students are often first-generation students. Having someone walk them through step-by-step is an amazing resource for them.鈥澨�听

听The counselors鈥� expertise in financial aid is especially valuable. Many students have misconceptions about financial aid or simply don鈥檛 know how to pursue it.听听

听Ahmed Saleqne, who is applying to the cybersecurity program at Manchester Community College, worked with Eric to file his FAFSA. 鈥淚t was very helpful to me,鈥� he said.听听

听Some students have been able to go on to two- or four-year college or find careers that meet their needs. One student secured a sizeable scholarship to Plymouth State University and is currently studying there.听听

听Others are still figuring out their next steps. But just having someone who鈥檚 on their side and can point them in the right direction can make a big difference, Crabtree said.听听

听鈥淭hey鈥檙e really happy to have the information under their belt and know that there鈥檚 someone else who can help them,鈥� he said.听听

听鈥疶o stay informed about all our news and events, follow us鈥痮n鈥�,鈥�, and鈥�.