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.”