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This content was published: July 10, 2006. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.

Formula for success: hard work and college

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Levi

Levi Howard '05 - Computer Information Systems Favorite PCC teacher: Michael Passalacqua Best feature of PCC: Internships

"If you’re not working hard, you’re not learning." Levi Howard knows something about both learning and hard work. He was 28 years old when he enrolled at PCC, having served in the U.S. Air Force. The Ohio native had decided that it was time to broaden his horizons, so he took his G.I. Bill in hand and went looking for the next step in his education.

"I knew right away that PCC was a great value and would be a great opportunity for me," Levi says today from his office at Intel, where he uses his degree in Computer Information Systems to troubleshoot an important new online learning tool.

"The classes were tough sometimes," he remembers, "but that’s part of learning. All the teachers were easy to talk with and very nice. And PCC helped me get an internship at Intel, which was a big advantage for me. I took on all the extra work I could find during my internship, and that led to me getting this job after my graduation."

As Levi builds his career in computers, he recommends the same formula that worked for him: hard work and PCC.

"The education and the experience I got from PCC were definitely worth the time I put in," he says, getting ready to continue his busy day. "Whether you want to get right to a job or you’re just getting your education started, PCC will work for you."

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »