Where are they now?

“Unlike material possessions, the value of education will never depreciate.” Dr. BLR

 

It’s not every day as a professor that you're invited to speak in another professor’s class and talk about yourself. Well, that was what I had the pleasure of doing today. Sitting at the front desk and looking out at the freshmen's faces, I was reminded of my first class on the Essex County College campus, when I went through the same process. These students were about 26 years younger, but still students all the same. 

The same eagerness to hear what I had to say was still there, so I had to make sure I kept them captivated. Luckily, I had a very good story to tell, but that wasn’t why I volunteered to speak to this particular class. What I wanted to tell them was that they have a bright future ahead, even though we are going through tough times. I couldn’t stress this enough. I revisited my upbringing, sharing both the good and the bad, and told them that if I could overcome obstacles, they could too. Sometimes, that’s what students need to hear as they face the challenges of being university students. In contrast, my experience as a student was completely different because I was already employed, but I understood they came from a different generation with other issues. 

This generation has been overwhelmed by technology, which has made being a student easier for now. However, they, too, will eventually have to graduate, enter the workforce, and achieve success. Then it dawned on me that I’ve been teaching for a long time, and hundreds of students have sat in the same classroom seats over the years. While I have maintained contact with many of my former students who have become police officers, many of them have pursued other professions. 

This is where social media has become my closest friend. I stay connected with former students dating back over twenty years. Occasionally, I check their pages to see where they are, what they are doing, and if they have become parents. I cannot express the immense joy I feel when I know what they have achieved and how they have grown their families. 

I got into this profession to make a difference in young people’s lives. Before I had my own children, my students were like surrogate kids to me. Some have called me “Pop,” “Unc,” and even “Granddad.” I welcome all those titles. I go out of my way to stay connected to them as much as I can, but like any parent, I have to let them fly on their own. I must say that I am proud of all they have achieved. Some have struggled, but eventually found their way. 

One of the greatest gifts they've given me is telling me how much I mean to them, and more importantly, how much they've learned sitting in my classes. The latter is the most important because it shows they were genuinely listening and not just passing the time until the class ended. Many professors face this challenge, but I'm glad I managed to keep them engaged. 

So, where are they now? They work throughout New Jersey and other states, serving as law enforcement officers in various local, county, state, and federal agencies. Many are lawyers in law firms and prosecutors’ offices. A few have earned their doctorates and master's degrees and now work as teachers and social workers. Some of my foreign students have returned to their home countries and are working in various professions. I couldn’t be prouder.

Finally, many of my former students have come back to campus to talk with my current students and share their work experiences. This is why I do what I do. They understand the importance of giving back because they know that I gave my all to them in many ways.