Sandy Opstvedt, a member of IBEW Local 55, has a full-time job, is a union activist, and serves on the Democratic National Committee.
So when she decided to get her degree, she knew flexibility would be important. Still, she didn’t want to trade convenience for quality instruction or accreditation.
Sandy started researching online colleges and quickly knew that National Labor College was the right choice for her.
The NLC is the ideal place to learn about labor and work issues; when you earn your degree from the NLC you can really feel proud of yourself.
Sandy’s first course, Digital Learning, taught her how to learn online and it gave her the confidence she needed to succeed.
The Digital Learning course provides the groundwork NLC students need to succeed. Many union activists have been out of a traditional classroom setting for years, and most have never learned online. This course puts everyone on an equal playing field so they can focus on their studies and not worry about the technology.
“Even though you’re online, you can develop personal relationships with other students and you don’t feel isolated at all. In fact, you have a lot of support,” says Sandy, a 22-year IBEW union representative from Des Moines, Iowa.
Although the work is challenging, and she’s sometimes worked straight through the night to finish an assignment, Sandy has found that she can turn to her fellow students who are also full-time union activists.
Scholarships for NLC Students
Personal support is important, but so is financial assistance. Like so many parents of adult children, Sandy and her husband, Brian, are helping to pay off their children’s student loans.
The Union Plus National Labor College Scholarships encourage union members to earn a degree. I’m grateful for the scholarship because I know my business degree will help me at my job, with my union responsibilities, and in my political work.
Scholarships for the Fall semester are available to help your dreams of completing a degree come true, make sure you apply by August 6th to qualify for federal financial aid and scholarships.
This was part of the Fulfill Your Dreams at NLC series.
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