Sarah Pinnock
Science
"I can honestly say I have the job of my dreams, and I would not have been able to apply for it if I hadn't completed my Bachelor of Arts in Science at Marylhurst," said Sarah Pinnock, a Wetlands Education Specialist at the Jackson Bottoms Wetland Preserve in Hillsboro. Pollock develops, produces and teaches the preserve's education programs.
Although she had 15 years experience in environmental education, Sarah had never attended college and therefore had fewer career options, she said. "I found it increasingly difficult to find jobs that did not require at least a bachelor's degree, and I realized I was limiting myself by not having a degree."
A Perfect Fit
Marylhurst was a perfect fit, she said, because of its mature student body, small class size and its Prior Learning Assessment program. Sarah earned 45 undergraduate credits in the PLA program, the maximum allowed, by demonstrating college-level knowledge she had acquired on-the-job.
"And, I must admit, the beauty and peaceful feeling on the campus made a big difference, too," she said. "I loved going to school at Marylhurst. It was one of the best times of my life, and I'm grateful every day that I had the opportunity to meet such wonderful people and learn in such a supportive, safe environment."