YSU's a great choice, say nontraditional students

An open house is scheduled for Tuesday.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Michael Shaffer of Boardman says that working on his degree at Youngstown State University has completely changed his life, and he's more than willing to tell his story to others.
Shaffer, 43, is set to graduate this fall with a bachelor's degree in business administration and will join other adult and transfer students as part of a panel at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at YSU Metro College at Southwoods Commons in Boardman.
The event will provide an opportunity for area adults to explore options for job advancement, career change, degree completion and personal enrichment.
"I've told a thousand people this: YSU has changed my life," said Shaffer.
A look back
When he graduated from Chaney High School in 1980, he did not consider college an option. A self-described "average Joe," raised in a working-class household on Youngstown's West Side, Shaffer began working full time immediately after high school. Marriage and children followed soon after. He landed a job as a baker in a supermarket in 1982, then became a display specialist at the same supermarket in 1992 until he left in 1998.
He had also started taking classes at YSU in 1992. However, Shaffer couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a job with Annheuser Busch in Indiana in 1998. Then in 2002, he decided to come back to Youngstown and get his degree.
"I always did well in these jobs, "Shaffer said, "but I reached a certain point where I couldn't go any farther without a degree."
Also on panel
Another adult student, Nancy Sauline, 44, of Youngstown, will also be part of the panel discussion.
Sauline, who returned to YSU at 39, said that she was prompted to restart her undergraduate degree after almost 20 years when her employer left the area.
"People should pursue their dreams," said Sauline, who has three children, two in college and one in high school. "You need to ask yourself - do you work on a degree just for the money you could earn, or do you do something because you love it? I was going to do what I love."
She earned her bachelor's of arts degree in 2004 and will receive her master's degree in 2007. Her goal is to work in higher education.
In addition to Tuesday's panel discussion, representatives from Metro College will be on hand to discuss opportunities at YSU for those who are thinking about a job or career change.
Information will be available on bachelor's and associate degree programs and prospective students can find out about day care at YSU. Child care will be available at the open house.
Metro College Southwoods is just south of the Southern Park Mall on Market Street. For more information and reservations, call (330) 941-2000 or (877) 468-6978 or e-mail emyoung@ysu.edu.