JACKSON, Mich. - Victor Washington Jr., 39, decided to go back to school two years ago. Even though he’d proven he could get a job and succeed in various business ventures, it wasn’t enough.
Washington, who has two daughters, is originally from Detroit and has served in the military. He also has had his own business with Federal Express, has worked as a certified nurse assistant and a real estate agent.
But Washington says he was tired of people not giving enough weight to his experience all because he didn’t have a college degree.
So he decided to enroll at Jackson Community College, where he is pursuing three associate degrees in business administration, accounting and health occupations.
He eventually would like to get his bachelor’s degree in at least one of those disciplines.
He is one of many adults around the state and country who are hitting the books in an effort to change their career or save a job.
Julie Hand, assistant dean of enrollment management at the college, says adult enrollment at the college has risen 65 percent over the past five years, and federal and state programs such as No Worker Left Behind have helped boost enrollment.
