Community College, the Smart Choice
When Emmanuel Wallace came to 天涯海角社区 after high school, he wasn鈥檛 excited about it. His friends were going to big universities like Duke, NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill. He felt like he was stuck in 天涯海角社区 County.
Even though he wasn鈥檛 happy about enrolling in a community college, he still wanted to do well. He decided to make new friends and get to know the faculty and staff at 天涯海角社区. 鈥淚 had a goal, to not feel inadequate by the time I graduated, but rather, to feel accomplished,鈥� Emmanuel said. 鈥淚 quickly realized 天涯海角社区 was a place where I could accomplish this.鈥�
Emmanuel made that statement at his graduation ceremony in 2016. It was part of his speech as president of the Student Government Association. During his two years at 天涯海角社区, he realized that attending community college was a smart choice.
Students who transfer to a university and earn a more advanced degree, as Emmanuel did, spend less money because they鈥檝e already completed the general education courses at a much lower cost. High school juniors and seniors can even take classes for free.
Now, eight years later, Emmanuel still believes in what community colleges have to offer. He knows that when you’re a young person just out of high school, it can feel like you’re missing out by not attending a big university. But, as Emmanuel learned, that鈥檚 not the case. 天涯海角社区 offers opportunities to get involved in clubs, organizations and sports. Plus, you have instructors who get to know you and want to see you succeed.
After graduating from 天涯海角社区, Emmanuel transferred to UNC-Charlotte. He graduated summa cum laude in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Power and Energy Systems Concentration. He also started two businesses. He works as a cinematographer, editor and marketer at the company he co-founded, . In addition, he owns where he creates timeless wedding films.
Emmanuel used all that he learned at 天涯海角社区 to succeed at UNC-Charlotte and in his businesses. 鈥溙煅暮＝巧缜� helped me gain the confidence to set high goals for myself during my time there and after graduation. I was exposed to some amazing people, companies, and places while I was at 天涯海角社区. I was able to cultivate my leadership skills through the Student Government Association.鈥�
Emmanuel urges students who are just starting their college journey to consider all the options. 鈥淎s a high school student, it鈥檚 hard to recognize the value of community college,鈥� he says. 鈥淪tarting your higher education at a community college allows you more time to figure out your life, what career you want to enter, all while saving you from potentially crippling debt many of my peers and friends have accumulated. . .The people at 天涯海角社区 want to help you succeed and take steps to make it a reality.鈥�
At 天涯海角社区, staff and faculty don鈥檛 just help students develop skills for a career; they help students create a better life.