My name is Nathan, and I’m a high school senior participating in Running Start at Cascadia College. I spend a lot of my time in Science Olympiad, and I’m hoping to pursue a career somewhere in STEM—ideally electrical engineering, but I’d be happy in any STEM-related field.
I chose to go to community college because Running Start allows me to complete some of my graduation requirements in a way that works better for my schedule. Taking classes online and asynchronously gives me more time to work on other responsibilities, like my college applications. It helps me balance everything without feeling overwhelmed.
Higher education matters to me because it opens up opportunities. In today’s world, a degree can make a big difference in helping people find work they care about and building a stronger, more educated workforce. For someone going into STEM, college is especially important.
When it comes to cost, I think some colleges—especially private ones—are incredibly overpriced. Public schools are a bit more affordable, but there are still a lot of hidden expenses, like class fees or room and board, that can add up. I haven’t personally faced financial barriers yet because Running Start covers my tuition, but I know those costs will become more real after high school.
Guaranteeing the first two years of college for community and technical college students would make a big impact. It would remove a major financial burden and allow people to focus on their studies instead of stressing about tuition. It could help more students stay in school and complete their programs.