Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 9, 2000)
A story of academie perseverance: Lori Sobelson Sobelson explained that as the LCOP class progressed, and as News Editor she completed the assignments, Back in 1994, a college educa “all of a sudden the idea came tion and degree were not things about that maybe I should go to Lori Sobelson missed, or even college.” She had never been thought about. Sobelson taught encouraged to go to college. The pre-school to children ages two class not only sparked the idea, to six. but also helped her formulate a “I had a wonderful marriage,” roadmap. she said, “and work, and no real Sobelson acknowledges the problems.” academic marathon that followed Then Sobelson, at the urging of could not have succeeded with her husband David, took the out the enthusiastic support of Myers-Briggs her husband, and other self whom she calls > :: ‘ • | evaluation tests her best friend, at Clackamas. The The instructors and to whom she tests reveal psy provided a safe has now been chological, or 22 years. place for me and married personal ity, “David was my “type”, as well as for other students, editor sometimes, strong interests in which we could when I’d have to and skills— hand in huge re known and un be ourselves with ports,” she re known and trans out being judged membered. ferable to the “He's very or criticized. workforce. proud (of my ac Lori Sobelson Fascinated by complishment). LCOP Graduate the detailed test It’s not just my results, Sobelson degree, it’s our continued her ex degree.” ploration for more information Sobelson earned her baccalau about herself and her life options. reate degree in three and one-half In spring 1994, she enrolled in challenging years—including Clackamas’ Life and Career Op eight consecutive terms, carrying tions (LCOP) class (see Career 16-20 credit hours each. in the school catalog), now She received her bachelor’s taught at the Family Resource degree in Business Management Center. Then the class had a dif and Operational Leadership from ferent name, and had not yet ex George Fox University in Decem panded from serving homemak ber 1997, graduating with a 4.0 ers to also serving men and grade point average and magna women of all ages transitioning cum laude honors. from school to the workforce or During and after college, from one job or career to another. Sobelson was able to acquire “This program was one that work experience with Hewlett really opened a lot of doors,” Packard, for whom she worked Sobelson remarked. “And be as a market researcher, and with cause the teachers are trained Benchmade Knife Co., for which and certified psychologists, she served as assistant to the they look beyond what most in president. Both jobs required structors do. They are capable and built upon her organiza and willing to listen to any kind tional ability and strength for of concerns students have.” detail, she says now, and were SANDY LUPO rklE CI ac I< amas P rìnt Lori Sobelson enhanced by her sensitivity to others. Today, Sobelson works 19 hours per week as assistant to David Madsen, chair of the drafting department, while she searches for a full-time oppor tunity, preferably on campus. She assists students with their classes and other needs and assists the department as it works closely with industry—> any company or corporation with autocad (computer-aided drafting)— to upgrade the skills of present employees or to find students to do employee work. Meanwhile, Sobelson supple ments her work volunteering for LCOP, where she began at Clackamas and which has asked her to do its marketing. She was instrumental in the design and manufacture of the LCOP pin featured in the Nov. 10 issue of the Print and has been the fea tured speaker at the LCOP graduation ceremony more than once. “I kept in touch because I wanted to give back,” she said. “Now it’s my turn to give them support— not that they seek it, but they so appreciate it. And I get so much more than I give.” Outside work and LCOP, Sobelson is an accomplished KARL KATZKE / Clackamas Print seamstress, sewing suits and or criticized. We could share jackets, and linens and other things that were very personal, décor for her home. and know it was okay. But her primary focus is her “They also provided a sup future. Her first goal is full-time port system with resources, dr employment at Clackamas. Then sometimes just an ear. Their she’ll determine in what area— door was always open if I psychology or education, per needed it. They introduced me haps—to earn her master’s de to education and built my confi gree. dence. And promised they would ‘‘My heart is here at be there if I came back later (af Clackamas, so I know that as ter graduation) too. Support of soon as something comes up...” other people was important. When asked what LCOP meant “Getting an education is not to her, in addition to the practi just about academic studies,” cal skills it gave her, Sobelson Sobelson added. “It’s a lot of responded with great feeling. discovery of who I am and what “The thing that stands out I like, and I’m so glad I did it most in my mind,” she said, “is later in life rather than right out that the instructors provided a of high school. I appreciated it safe place for me and for other more because I was paying for students, in which we could be it, and because I really wanted ourselves without being judged to be here.”
