Sarah Parmeter

NPRC social sciences graduate Sarah Parmeter returned to the College earlier this year, but this time as a workforce development student. Parmeter is currently enrolled in an online course offered through NPRC’s partnership with Ed2Go and is studying to earn her Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification.

Parmeter works for the Warren Area Refugee Resettlement Network as the Head English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instructor. After speaking to a staff member at the College, she learned about the TEFL course and saw it as an opportunity to build her skills to better serve refugees settling in Warren County from around the world. "After the completion of this certification and my bachelor's degree in social work, I will be better prepared to do the work I am most passionate about. Ed2Go offerings through NPRC are a great option for individuals who want additional certifications for professional development. The class is affordable, convenient, and easy to fit into my schedule. I expect to finish the program later this fall.”

The certificate program is 120 hours, and Parmeter is completing it while balancing a practicum for the final semester of her bachelor's degree and her regular work schedule. “The class that I take is self-paced and previously recorded. I can fit it into my schedule whenever I have spare time, and the modules automatically save my progress as I go. I often work on my certificate bit-by-bit in small chunks of time, which works well with my schedule.”

Though her experience has been different from her time as an academic student, Parmeter shares that it has been just as positive. “My workforce development experience with NPRC has been just as positive as my academic journey with the college. Staff members are helpful, friendly, and encouraging of my goals. The class is also very affordable and accessible, much like my associate degree was. The workforce development team has been very helpful and encouraging. NPRC continues to be an incredible asset for rural Pennsylvanians. Through both their academic offerings and workforce development, I have been able to access an affordable high-quality education.

After graduating from NPRC, Parmeter transferred to Pennsylvania Western University’s online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program. She is set to complete her bachelor’s degree and graduate this fall. With support from NPRC and those around her, Parmeter continues to work toward the career and educational goals she has set for herself. “NPRC has given me the tools to succeed and has helped me save thousands of dollars on my education. Because of NPRC's low-cost associate degree, I am now able to seriously consider pursuing a master's degree, as my total student loan burden is thousands of dollars lower than it would have been had I gone to a four-year institution without first obtaining an associate's degree.”

We are #NPRCProud of you, Sarah!