Staten Island, NY January 27, 2010 -- After the initial shock of being laid off subsides, many people are brushing themselves off, and heading back to the classroom. In fact, the number of 18- to 24-year-olds attending college in the United States hit an all-time high in October 2008, driven by a recession-era surge in enrollments at community colleges, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau released in October 2009.
Frank Vidal is one of many fathers finding hope in education after being laid off.
"From Laid Off to Learning,” delves into the lives of layoff survivors who are grabbing hold of new opportunities through education. Whether it’s for a better credential for their resume, a change of career, or simply a desire to learn something new, many are finding that education offers a new – and sometimes unexpected – path. CollegeSurfing.com’s new series, "From Laid Off to Learning,” delves into the lives of layoff survivors who are bettering themselves, discovering new passions, and grabbing hold of new opportunities through education.
Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the stories CollegeSurfing.com will share:
- Frank Vidal - A 13-year career veteran and father of two decided to find one advantage in his layoff: He finally had the time and drive to pursue a college education, something he’s always wanted to do. And, he’s doing it completely online!
- Myles Falvella - After working for years in telecom, this 58-year-old personifies the mantra that it’s never too late to start something new. He’s working toward a new “green” career by studying subjects like alternative energy and energy efficiency.
- John Hedtke - After being put on notice from his job, this writer decided to enjoy the time away from his desk to pursue a lifelong passion – to study art as a first-time college student at age 53. He plans to do freelance writing to keep him afloat.
- Stephanie Hale - A sales career and a growing family kept her from going back to finish her degree. One would think that for this 42-year-old single mother of four, who recently got laid off, college wouldn’t be an option. Guess who’s back on campus?
In addition, the series also offers practical expert advice on how to handle a layoff, from how to find health insurance benefits and what happens to your 401K, to negotiating your severance package and networking to find your next job.
“If the last year has proven anything, it’s that no job is safe,” says Dawn Papandrea, managing editor of CollegeSurfing.com, which provides information on more than 1,000 colleges, universities, and trade schools spanning 3,500 campuses nationwide. “What’s amazing to watch, though, is that the resilience of the American worker coupled with the power of education, and how it can truly lead to bigger and better opportunities.”
After reading these inspiring stories and taking in the “just in case” tips and strategies, surfers can visit CollegeSurfing.com to get started on the next phase of their education, whether it’s exploring the expert advice or browsing degree and career programs.
CollegeSurfing.com is an educational resource site from The CollegeBound Network (CBN). More than 1.5 million surfers utilize CBN’s sites, including CollegeBound.net, SpaBeautySchools.com, and TopCareerSchools. Since 1987, The CollegeBound Network (CBN) has worked with America's leading colleges, universities, trade, and technical schools in connecting learners with educational opportunities. CBN specializes in recruitment lead generation solutions for 1000 educational institutions and 3,500 campuses, using its content-rich portals.
