Shari Eberhard worked in the hospitality industry for 25 years with companies like Walt Disney World and Marriott Hotels until a slowdown caused by COVID-19 resulted in cutbacks that eliminated her job.
With her experience and the economy reopening, she could have easily found another position in the industry that she loves. Instead, she has decided to take advantage of Collin College’s Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) to jump-start a new career in higher education so that she could share the hospitality bug she caught early in her career.
Eberhard is returning to school to earn her degree in Hospitality and Food Service Management Meetings and Event Management track at Collin College so that she can become a professor in that field. PLA at Collin recognizes that her years of experience matter, and the PLA processes can provide college credits for the knowledge and skills learned outside of a formal classroom setting. In the case of students like Eberhard, that allows them to complete a degree or certificate sooner and at a lower cost.
“I think this is a great opportunity to show the knowledge that I have acquired,” Eberhard said of the certification credits and skills test she plans on taking. “It may not have been in a classroom environment, but if I can prove that I have that knowledge, why shouldn’t I be able to get that credit?”
PLA opportunities come in many varieties, some of which may be familiar like the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) testing. Newer PLA opportunities introduced in the past year include departmental exams which test knowledge or specific skills. Skills tests are hands-on, so the college’s professors can assess a student’s mastery of the skills. Commercial Photography, for instance, allows for skills demonstration and portfolio review. The college’s Culinary and Pastry programs offer both credits by exam and skills testing. Several other workforce programs offer similar options.
In some cases, PLA credits are awarded for certificates or licenses students have earned. The college’s Computer Networking program offers some course credits for CCNA professional certification. The Automotive Technology and Collision Technology programs offer course credits for certifications including Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Other programs with similar options include Cybersecurity, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Services Professions, Fire Science, and more.
The knowledge Eberhard gained while working in the industry matters when it comes to her degree. If she becomes a professor, as is her dream, then her experience will matter to her students.
Learn more about Collin’s Prior Learning Assessment option at www.collin.edu/studentresources/pla.