Penn State World Campus student Jenna Perminas shares her perspective on what it is like to be a Penn Stater. She’s also a member of the Penn State World Campus Student Advisory Board, a group of students who are dedicated to enhancing the experience for fellow students through student advocacy, collaborative partnerships with staff and faculty, and providing relevant student services.
Major: Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources and Employment Relations
Courses taken per term: 2
Hours spent on program per week: 10–12 hours
Current hometown: Clarksville, TN
Distance from University Park: 725.3 miles
As a Penn State World Campus student, what does a typical school day look like for you?
A typical school day for me starts at 6:00 a.m., and I head to work around 7:30 a.m. I’m an HR analyst for the City of Clarksville; I dabble in a variety of human resource functions, but my main focus is learning and development. Once I’m home, I usually work out with my husband, prepare dinner, and then relax for a bit. After my food coma subsides, it’s time to hit the books. I usually try to knock out my discussion forums and essays by Friday or Saturday afternoon. I also like to get my readings for the following week started on Sunday. I learned early on that taking three classes a semester was not a good choice with a full-time job, a brand-new job at that. It could land you in the ER with hypertension!
Where do you complete your course work?
You’ll see me diligently reading or working on my essay and research paper at the kitchen table. Sometimes I am forced to visit a local coffee shop to avoid getting sucked into reruns of Impractical Jokers. More often than not, my puppy Ollie stares at me as if to tell me I’m a bad mother for choosing education over fetch.
What do you like most about Penn State World Campus?
What is there NOT to like about Penn State World Campus? I’ve had nothing but good experiences so far. I especially enjoyed the opportunity of taking HRER 825, a hybrid strategic business course that offered one week on campus with my fellow classmates. I met so many wonderful people who I’m still friends with, and I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Antone Aboud, who is undoubtedly one of the most passionate educators I’ve ever met. The campus is truly amazing; I recommend every student to take advantage of hybrid courses, or at least visit the University Park campus. I’ll definitely be going back for graduation!
Why did you choose Penn State World Campus?
First and foremost, it’s PENN STATE! I love to share the fact that I’m a Penn Stater. I love the fact that I can wear my Penn State shirt or hat and strangers shout “WE ARE!” Secondly, I wanted a reputable online program where the education is the same quality education that resident students experience; high academic standards for courses taught by the same faculty. Third, Penn State’s reputation for teaching and research always ranks high among universities worldwide. Fourth, my Post 9/11 GI Bill® covered 100% of the tuition. Penn State’s military support team members were helpful from day one in making the application process easy and stress free.
What would you tell someone thinking about enrolling in a Penn State WC program?
Do it. I promise, you won’t regret it. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life.
