July 28 , 2009
Neil Offen, The Herald-Sun

DURHAM — Louanne Mobley had been at her job, as a graphic artist, for 14 years. Then, just over a year ago, the job -- like so many others during the recession -- was gone.

"It was not a complete shock," Mobley said. "We could see it coming."

That didn't make it any easier when she became unemployed. "I haven't been in the job market for a long time," Mobley recalled recently, "and things have changed."

Through her company's human resources department, Mobley was able to get into a program for displaced workers. "They more or less look at your personality type, and figure out what you should be doing. You have this opportunity to change, so what do you want to change to?"

That's how Mobley changed careers and went back to school.

She found out that she had a caring and nurturing side, and so at the age of 57, she is a full-time student attending Durham Tech studying to become an occupational therapy assistant. On Monday, she attended an open house for occupational therapy students who will be attending the community college during the fall semester.

Mobley is not alone.

Across the nation, those who have lost jobs are heading back to school -- particularly to two-year community colleges.

Enrollment in two-year colleges has soared over the past few years. Undergraduate enrollment at the institutions increased 11 percent to 6.6 million from 2000 to 2007 and is expected to reach 7.5 million students by 2018. And full-time undergraduate enrollment in two-year institutions increased faster than part-time enrollment did.

Peggy Beach, a spokeswoman for North Carolina's community college system, said that according to the most recent figures, enrollment was up at 49 of the state's 58 community colleges. In general, Beach said, enrollment in community colleges goes up 2 percent to 3 percent for every 1 percentage point increase in unemployment.

Despite a slight dip last month, North Carolina's unemployment rate was still at 11 percent, the highest the state has reported since standardized records began being kept in the 1970s.

While enrollment at Durham Tech hasn't seen the massive jumps that have taken place at other community colleges during the recession, it has risen significantly. The school had an additional 500 students this past spring semester, compared with the year before. And students over 30 years of age now make up 43 percent of the enrollment.

Mike Kelly is 41, and was another unemployment statistic.

He was a welder in Elkhart, Ind., and got laid off last June. "They just didn't need everybody, with business down," Kelly said. "I didn't have certification, so they let me go."

Kelly, who moved back to Durham after he lost his job, has signed up to get that certification and will be at Durham Tech this fall. He'll be studying applied science.

"When the economy breaks, with a degree I'll have a better chance of getting a job, I'll have a better chance of landing a better job," he said. "I need to be certified. With that certification, I'll be able to do four different types of welding and also read blueprints. It's really going to help."

Kelly has one more year to go, as does Mobley, in their two-year programs. Both of them find it interesting and invigorating being around so many younger students.

"To tell you the truth, it motivates me," Mobley said. "With them around, I've got something to prove. I can do it. I can hang with the younger crowd and survive. So far, it's been stimulating."