By Jenny Cooper | Observer Reporter
Attending Mount Wachusett Community College you meet all types of people from every race, multiple countries, and a variety of ages ranging from those still in high school yet taking college courses to those looking to change careers well into their 50’s and 60’s.
Robert Carey, 62, attended a technical college back in the 80’s studying automobile computer systems. After doing this for several years, Carey ended up with a debilitating disease, peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage from multiple back surgeries). Carey has also been diagnosed with arachnoiditis in the lower back making his previous schooling unusable. Carey decided to come back to school because he was preapproved for retraining due to this disability.
Due to not being in school for so long, Carey had to take two prerequisites which brought his course load to ten. With the heavy course load, this left no time for Carey to participate in any of MWCC’s clubs or after-school activities. “I had all I could do to be able to accomplish all the homework I had,” Carey said. Carey maintained a 3.68 grade point average while enrolled at The Mount.
Carey is enjoying his experience at The Mount meeting many different friends in his classes. He enjoys the experience of going back to college at his age and learning many new ideas and concepts with the courses that he took. With hindsight being 20/20, Carey said “If I had to do it all over again I think I would only go on a part time basis. The caseload in some of the courses was too demanding at times.”
Carey will not be walking in the graduation ceremony in May due to a prior commitment. Carey’s future plans include finishing one course through the summer program and then concentrating on finding a job. “I plan to work and put into practice what I have learned.”
Carey is studying Medical Office and resides in Orange, MA with his wife.
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