At age 42 and a long-time employee in the automotive sector, Joe Derrico would seem to have it made.
But his busy daily routine suggests otherwise: A full day’s work as a Supply Chain Management Analyst at Yanfeng Automotive Interiors in Romulus, a quick meal, then hitting the books late into the evening.
“I’m on a mission,” Derrico said. “A year from now I will graduate with my associate degree in Supply Chain Management from Washtenaw Community College.”
Working for a company that emphasizes education to its employees, Derrico initially re-enrolled at Eastern Michigan University, where he had earlier pursued a degree in Criminal Justice.
But then he heard about WCC’s credits for life experience and thought: “That’s where I need to go. I shouldn’t waste the experience I’ve gained on the job.”
All total, Derrico was awarded 21 credits for the nearly 20 years he had spent in area automotive and electronic manufacturing jobs.
“I can’t say enough about the help and guidance I received at WCC,” Derrico said.
Guiding him through the process was Student Advisor Cristina Buzas.
“With his experience in the supply chain industry and prior college credits, he is much closer to earning the associate degree,” Buzas said. “I appreciated his professionalism, follow-through and determination to complete his degree.”
A resident of Ypsilanti, Derrico also has high praise for WCC faculty members Victor Johnson, Interpersonal Communication; Cheryl Byrne, Retail Principles and Practices; and Elizabeta Ilich, Principles of Management.
“They come to class so prepared and well organized. It’s a joy to be there.”
It wasn’t all business for Derrico. An elective class — Music Appreciation, Our Musical World — also opened a door to a new experience. Taught by Michelle Urina, Derrico said it was a class he thoroughly enjoyed.
“I learned so much about so many different kinds of music that I hadn’t paid a lot of attention to,” he said.
For Joe Derrico, enrolling at WCC is a mission not just to an earned degree but to a personally fulfilling life experience.
Earn College Credit for Your Life Experience
WCC believes experience is a great teacher. The college will work with prospective students to determine if the skills learned through school, training or work experience can be counted as credits. Once documented and deemed equivalent to college-level coursework, the college will grant credit if it’s appropriate to the student’s program of study.
For more information visit wccnet.edu/life-experience or call 734-973-3543.
Tags: Credit, July 2020, Life Experience, ousearch_News_On The Record