Running Start

Profiles

Amina Al-Sadi
Running Start, Associate of Arts

“It’s given me the experience I need to pursue my journalism career.”

Why Edmonds CC? The journalism classes and the school's paper.

Why now? I wanted more of a challenge, so I decided to try out running start.

Working as co-editor of The Triton Review student newspaper

Internship My internship at KUOW, national public radio, this summer really sparked my interest in that form of media. Journalism gives you a chance to give a voice to those that don't have one but should, there’s nothing I love more then telling those stories!

Best college experience Working on the paper, it has given me the experience I need to pursue my career.

Favorite class Hanifa Yahiaoui's French class has been great! We learn so much about the cultures of not just France, but other Francophone countries. She has a really fun way of teaching the language.

Best advice for new students Get involved! Clubs are a great way to meet all the really nice people at this school. New students should also get involved with the Review...please!

What to eat on campus I tend to hit the school’s coffee cart more.

On my iPod a bunch of podcasts, I've become rather a radio geek lately!

Internship KUOW, National Public Radio

College goal I'd like to go for my masters, but I'll see where I am after I get my bachelors.

Dream job Working as a journalist, especially radio.

Kacie McCarty
Running Start, Associate of Science-Biology

"I've enjoyed the opportunity to work one-on-one with teachers."

Why Edmonds CC? It is in a beautiful location with a warm, welcoming environment. This school has an edge over other nearby colleges because it offers free parking and bus pass.

Why now? The best time to go to college is when it is paid for by Running Start.

Before Edmonds CC I spent a year exploring Europe: Germany, Czech Republic, France.

Best college experience I've really enjoyed the opportunity to work one-to-one with teachers during office hours. The teachers at this college are very helpful and willing to spend extra time helping students with difficult concepts.

Favorite class the LEAF school. I loved getting school credit for going outside and learning about plants and wildlife.

Instructor Jenny McFarland is a wonderful teacher who is always cheery, offers extra help and advice, and even provides snacks during Zoology exams.

Advice for new students for students taking science courses: look at the textbook before the quarter begins. This will help you keep from feeling overwhelmed on the first day of class.

What to eat on campus Pizza - I enjoy searching for the largest slice.

Book Mists of Avalon

Authors JK Rowling, Terry Goodkind

What’s next? the University of Washington for my bachelor of science

Chris Yocum
Running Start, Associate of Arts

“My dream job would be at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies the most respected institute in Celtic Studies today.”

Today, having completed his Master of Science (Celtic Studies) by Research degree from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, he’s working towards his doctorate there and will soon be lecturing the School of Scottish Studies on the use of computers for academics. Yocum holds his experience at Edmonds CC in high esteem. Computer programming classes gave him perspective that assist his academic research today and he counts the quality, caring instructors he met here among his greatest academic influences. “(At Edmonds) I learned that there was an engaging world of knowledge out there in the wide world. Knowledge was actively taught and discussed along with the more practical aspects of learning.” However, Yocum did not choose Edmonds CC for its quality. He chose it because of its bus line. He first came to the college as a Running Start student and a bus went directly from his high school to the college. Because Yocum could not afford a car until six months after he graduated from Seattle University with a history degree, Community Transit kept him linked to Edmonds. “Ease of access was essential to my decision,” he said. But as a result, “It put me in contact with many interesting people who broadened my horizons both intellectually and socially. It also was a great transition stage between high school and university especially for those who are not sure what they want to do after school.” At the time, he wanted to be a mathematician. While he explored his academic interests, Yocum was able to support himself using his computer skills. Then found his calling. He read a book called "Early Medieval Ireland 400-1200" by Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, became interested in editing and translating Early Irish texts and made a connection with a professor at the University of Edinburgh. Exploring the wealth of untapped information available in Celtic Studies could lead to new discoveries.

Javaid Chaudhry
Running Start, Associate of Science

“It gives me a head start.”

Why Edmonds CC? Running Start

Why now? to get a head start

Biggest challenge balancing all of the aspects of life, and maintaining that equilibrium point

Working at Bengal Tiger restaurant

High school Lynnwood

Best college experience meeting new people

Instructor Mary Obrien

Best advice for new students study

Interests basketball, football

Books Harry Potter series

Video game Madden

What’s next? university, dental school

College goal Ph.d.

Katie Beers
Running Start

“I’ll attend Seattle Pacific University. I’m interested in bioengineering.”

After graduating high school this spring, she plans to attend Seattle Pacific University where she’s interesting in studying bioengineering, a field she learned more about after job shadowing an engineer at a biotechnology firm. Beers said she’s prepared to go for her math and science studies after attending Edmonds Community College. But actually, one of her favorite classes at Edmonds CC was history. “I took Advanced Placement history in high school but I really did not like it and found it overwhelming. At Edmonds CC, I took a history class as a requirement and I was really surprised how much I liked it,” she said. “It was still hard, but the instructor did an awesome job of tying lectures together with what the book was teaching and made it interesting and more applicable to the present day.” Beers recommends Running Start but cautions that it is not right for everyone, “If you are looking for more of a challenge, go for it, but you do miss out on some of the social happenings at high school.”

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