How My Daughter Learned to Fly a Plane Thanks to Delta, Chick-fil-a, Coca-Cola

How My Daughter Learned to Fly a Plane Thanks to Delta, Chick-fil-a, Coca-Cola

by | Aug 14, 2014

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of #Chick-fil-a, #Delta, and #Coca-Cola (all Atlanta-based companies) my daughter got to learn to fly a plane practically for free! The Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) program was created to give minority kids an introduction to the aviation industry and a chance to learn how to fly planes.

How it All Began

Last year she went to OBAP Aviation Career Experience (ACE) academy to learn about aviation careers and did quite well. This summer I encouraged my daughter to apply for the OBAP Solo Flight Academy where she could learn how to fly a plane.

She went through the application and interview process and was chosen as an alternate. Because someone couldn’t make it she was able to take the spot. It was meant to be. We got the paperwork in including a medical exam because she’d have to be fit to fly.

A Little Sacrifice for a lot of Reward

Now the sacrifice would come because it is a two week camp, it’s an hour away, and I had to pay $150. But the sacrifice was worth it to me because she’s my child.
We made arrangements for her to stay with my sister who lived closer to the academy. She would have to drive everyday to classes and I’d have to cough up the money. But she’s worth every penny and that money was a drop in the bucket compared to what it could have cost.

A Unicorn in the Making

Now that the course is complete she is among the rare league of African-American women who know how to fly a plane. She may become a pilot someday and get the Unicorn designation. Why unicorn? Because like the mythical creature, very few people have ever seen an African-American pilot.

flightlineLexi

 

The Next Steps

If my daughter decides to become a pilot she will have to go through a series of steps. The first goal is to get her private pilot’s license. Next is to either attend a flight school and get more flying time or go to university and get a degree, then join a flight training program. Finally, she will apply to become a pilot for any number of companies that need pilots. It may be a private or commercial company.

She loves flying so I’m going to help her in anyway I can make that dream come true. There are many people in our circle who is connected to the airline industry that will help her as well. She’s made even more connections recently after attending the annual OBAP conference. She met pilots from Delta, Fedex, Chick-fil-a, UPS, ExpressJet, and a few others.

A Future So Bright She’ll Have to Wear (Aviator) Shades

To have a bright future she has to prepare and do the work. She’s already begun the journey so she’s off to a good start, but she has to keep moving forward no matter what.

As with all careers it’s important to connect with people who are in the position she wants to be in. There are membership organizations she can join including women aviator associations, minority aviation associations, and private pilot organizations. Each offers something different but all offers support, scholarships, and a sense of community.

She plans to go on to college to get a degree then go on to be a commercial pilot. I know that whatever she decides to do will be a success. This kid is simply too amazing for words.

Thanks for letting me share with you and brag about my daughter. 🙂

Back to School (for FREE)…Temporarily to Increase My Earning Potential!

Back to School (for FREE)…Temporarily to Increase My Earning Potential!

by | Nov 12, 2012

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Well I’m back in school and I’m loving it (no this is not a McDonald’s commercial)! I just love learning and I love it when my learning increases my earning potential. This photo is of the books I am using for my Java Programming course. I will be a certified Java Programmer after I finish the class and take the exam.

Are you wondering why I’m taking Java programming of all things? Welp, it’s for a couple of reasons. First because it’s the foundation class for the mobile application development course I’m going to be taking. Second, because it’s FREE!!! Yep, I said free. I’ll get to how that’s possible a little later. But first let me answer why I’m taking this class after I’ve published a book which should increase my earning potential.

I’m an IT Geek So I Say It Loud and Proud!

I love ideas, I love graphic design, and I love technology. I’m an IT (information technology) professional in real life so this is a perfect fit for me. I will be designing mobile applications (the kind you have on your smart phone) once I complete the course. Developing mobile apps will make me giddy with happiness because it combines all the things I love. Plus, I get to earn a pretty penny (or lots of pennies) on top of that.

The Earning Potential is Phenomenal

How much? Well let me put it this way; it is rumored that ESPN paid $100k to get their Fantasy Football app created. That is not chump change. The average app cost anywhere from $5,000-$10,000 to be developed. This is for a custom app. So for me, the earning potential runs in the six-figures if I develop apps for medium to large companies. If create my own apps the earning potential is greater because I get all the profits. Some app developers are earning millions…you remember Angry Birds don’t you?

How I Get to Go to School for Free

I am confident my education will pay off in huge dividends. The best part is I get to go to school for free. I bet you were waiting for that part. Well a few months ago I wrote about losing my job. I was out of work for a year and collecting unemployment. Each week I had to submit my report so I could get the check. One day I was on the DOL (department of labor) website and decided to look into training.

I called the office and got information about the WIA (Workforce Initiative Act) training programs. I was told I may be eligible for the program and to show up at the designated place at the designated time for an information session. I went and had to complete paperwork as well as turn in other information.

That was in June or July of this year. I was told it would be a while before I knew if I was accepted because funding had to come in from the State. Getting accepted into the program meant I could choose a school and the State would pay all expenses including books and certification exams. The point is to get people on unemployment back to work by upgrading their skills.

Back in School for a Short Time to Earn More Money for a Lifetime

Long story short….I got accepted into the program. I chose the school I wanted to attend and started more paperwork. The school I chose encourages their students to start their own business so they have a session to teach and provide entrepreneurial skills. So here I am, back in school for about a 4-6 weeks to learn Java programming and mobile app development. I will get my certification and begin a new career path that will net me more money as I continue to journey toward financial freedom.

The moral of the story? Never stop learning!

Are you back in school? Do you have a technical certificate or degree?

How do you plan to increase your earning potential in 2013 and beyond?

Back to School FYI: How to Cut College Tuition by 85%

Back to School FYI: How to Cut College Tuition by 85%

by | Jul 15, 2012

Credit by exam: the missing piece in the college puzzle helps students reduce expenses

If you are a 21st century student, you may be facing concerns over the rising cost of a college degree and the prospect of future college debt. You may be wondering, can I achieve my education goals and still find a way to contain costs? Meanwhile, President Obama is calling for increased degree completion as an element of workforce development.

For many college students, one solution may be a sleeping giant: credit by examination, a valid and cost-effective means of earning credit for college-level knowledge. For many years, the military has promoted credit-by-examination programs among service members pursuing higher education. For bright high school students taking advanced courses, related exams can help them get a head start on college credit. But college-level exams are widely available for any aspiring college student – not just for advanced high schoolers and military members.

Consider this: Based on a typical full-time academic year, the College Board’s data indicates that the cost for a three-credit, semester-long course at a four-year institution can range between $752 per credit at a public college and $2,730 per credit at private, nonprofit colleges. However, the cost of an examination covering the same subject area as a three-credit classroom course can cost as little as $95.

So what is credit by exam, and how do you earn it? Credit by exam measures your subject area knowledge gained through traditional classroom study, through independent study or on the job as part of your career and professional training. You can also use a variety of online academic resources to study for exams including high quality, university-level educational materials called open courseware. These subject matter tests are available through such programs as Excelsior College  Examinations (ECEs), UExcel, CLEP and DSST and, typically, each program offers corresponding study guides. The tests are administered at thousands of secure, proctored testing centers in the U.S. and around the world.

As a student consumer, it’s important to make sure the exam program you choose has been reviewed by the American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT), which provides course equivalency information to facilitate college credit award decisions. ACE CREDIT is an important stamp of approval for exams and coursework taken outside of traditional degree programs. In addition, you may also want to become familiar with the differences among test programs: ECEs, for instance, are the only exams developed and administered by an accredited college, and ECE results are reported as a letter grade on a college transcript.

“Higher education costs are front and center in our national education discussions, and independent study leading to credit-by-exam is a lesser-known way of helping to address this issue,” says Dr. Patrick Jones, vice provost at Excelsior College. “Students who meet the exam challenge can also advance more quickly through their chosen degree program.”

A student who decides to tackle four examinations – over several months, several years or during summers – can trim a semester or more from his or her college career. For long-term planning purposes, that’s the equivalent of thousands of dollars neither spent nor borrowed.  It’s also evidence of your personal discipline and academic independence.

Credit-by-exam programs can benefit colleges and universities as well. Traditional institutions facing overcrowding or faculty shortages can use credit by examination as a tool to retain students and assist them in degree completion. Ultimately, such out-of-the-box solutions can benefit you, the student, and the institutions committed to your success. Now more than ever, credit-by-exam programs are increasingly important alongside traditional and online coursework as a valid means of demonstrating your college-level knowledge. (ARA)

Supplemental Guide to Going Back to School for Adults

Going back to college is a big step if you have been out for a few years. But you know that upgrading your skills is the key to bigger and better opportunities. If you or someone you know is thinking about going back to school, here is a guide to help you through the decision-making process.

Click the link below to get the Single Mom College Survival Guide now.

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My Back to College Experience in a Nutshell

by | Nov 22, 2008

My back to school journey went something like this…

The college I chose had an adult degree program that could be completed in 18 months. I had college credit already, in fact I had an Associate’s degree in Architectural Studies (I had dreams of being and Architect). Even though I had college credit I was missing a few core courses but I could take them with my other classes.

My major was Organizational Management (a fancy name for Business Management). I worked in corporate America for several years and I had business course credit so I felt that I would do well. One of the basic classes that I had to attend to meet my core requirements was American Literature. The professor was so wonderful and made the subject so interesting that I decided to change my major to English. The professor wasn’t the only deciding factor; (more…)

Single Mom’s Guide to Going Back to School: How to Navigate the Process

by | Nov 21, 2008

Part of the wealth building process may include getting more education. More education usually means more money earned in the long term. A college graduate earns more than a high school graduate. The higher the degree level the more money you can make.

So what can an adult going back to school expect? What are the costs? Can you get your mind in study mode? What should you study? These are all valid questions that can be answered with the help of a college advisor or someone who has been down that path.

The first step through this process is to decide what you want to be when you grow up. What has always been your passion? What are your interests? What have you always dreamed of becoming? The answers to these questions will give you the first clues to deciding on a major and minor. From there you can evaluate the college websites that are in your neighborhood or online. With many college programs going virtual you don’t have to worry about leaving your home to get the education you need. This fits in well with the responsibilities that single moms have. (more…)