If you ever need a boost of energy, Chad Austin is the go to person. Mr. Austin is the Director of the Career Services at Henry Ford College and faculty member. If you are fortunate to spend time with Chad you sense his energy and drive. Under Chad’s leadership the Office of Career Services has expanded and now provides additional services for students and alumni. The office moved to the Student Success Center, formally known as the Learning Resource Center, summer 2014.

In response to the question regarding the rewards of his education, Mr. Austin noted: “The freedom to do what I really enjoy for a career…” as a reward. The freedom to work a job you enjoy is a great gift; which is an appropriate subject matter during this holiday period. Another gift of education is that it gives you options. In other words, education opens the doors to more opportunities as opposed to not having a higher education. I realize there are exceptions to the rule; many people have careers or built businesses and love what they do without a postsecondary education. However, one way to guarantee the options of getting that dream job is if you have an associate, bachelor or higher degree.

Chad shares that he was involved in student service positions while on-campus and off campus. His college jobs and experience provided him the opportunity to obtain the position he has today. Mr. Austin’s drive and determination helped him when things became challenging while in college, and he notes when “my priorities got out of whack I had to refocus and get them back in line”. At some point in your college career you will have, if not already, a challenge and will have to decide, as Chad noted “refocus and get your (priorities) in line”.

The gift of education is the freedom of choice. If you want that freedom of choice you, like Chad, have to make the sacrifice and use delay gratification. One of the greatest obstacles to obtaining a higher degree is the inability to delay gratification. Delayed gratification, or deferred gratification, is the ability to resist the temptation for an immediate reward and wait for a later reward.

As you work toward your degree, there will be many temptations that can keep you from completing your education such as getting a car that may be too expensive, getting an expensive apartment, or spending money on clothing and accessories; or people and social life. The list goes on and on. This is the time to evaluate the importance of education versus what you just can’t seem to do without. These items and people can be temporary and take your focus off what is important. Once you earn your degree, you will have it forever. Again, remember education is the gift of choice. So, just as Chad shared, you have to “refocus and get your (priorities) in line”. Enjoy!

1. What degrees have you earned to date?
I coordinate all aspects of student career exploration and preparedness on and off campus. I assist students in three distinct areas:
• Exploration
I work with students to explore career options, industry information, and skills;

• Preparation
The Career Services office helps students prepare their job search documents, interview prep, social media, and job search strategies;

• Connection
I assist students and alumni with connecting to employers. Networking, job fairs, on-line recruiting, etc. We also assist students with Work Study jobs on campus and help students get Cooperative Education experiences.
2. As a Career Services Officer of the college what are your responsibilities?
I was very involved in activities both on and off-campus.

I was a Resident Assistant, a Summer Camp Counselor, an Orientation Mentor and a front desk worker. I was involved in a Greek social organization and was a member of a diversity performance group. I enjoyed every aspect of college that took place outside of the classroom! Inside of the classroom I had my ups and downs but really hit my stride when I started to take classes in my major that focused on teaching. Of course those are also the classes where I met my wife so I may be a bit biased!

3. As an undergraduate student, what was your experience like?
I was very involved in activities both on and off-campus.
I was a Resident Assistant, a Summer Camp Counselor, an Orientation Mentor and a front desk worker. I was involved in a Greek social organization and was a member of a diversity performance group. I enjoyed every aspect of college that took place outside of the classroom! Inside of the classroom I had my ups and downs but really hit my stride when I started to take classes in my major that focused on teaching. Of course those are also the classes where I met my wife so I may be a bit biased!
4. What was the most difficult challenge you faced while in college and how did you manage it?
My biggest challenge was balancing all of the different aspects of college. I worked multiple jobs, tried to have a decent social life, and maintain grades. There were times when that caused a lot of stress and when my priorities got out of whack I had to refocus and get them back in line.
5. What do you believe are the rewards of your education?

The freedom to do what I really enjoy for a career is thanks, in large part, to my education and the people that I interacted with and met along the way.

6. Did and do you have mentors in your life?

I have had a lot of mentors in the field. Teachers, professors, and friends that I turned to with questions, and who helped guide me along the path that I chose for myself.

7. In giving advice to students regarding pursuing their dreams, what role do you believe charity, gratefulness, self-determination and forgiveness play in the success of a person’s educational pursuits and a productive life?

There are so many factors that play into how a person’s life turns out. The one thing that I can say is that people who let their careers and education happen to them never seem to be as happy as the people that go out and make it happen. Complacency and apathy will result in life happening to you instead of you living the life you actually want.