Jon Ferguson

My roles at work started to change. I started going into leadership and saw how beneficial school was going to be in my near future.

Wilson Community College Grad

Chief Operations Officer at Chick-Fil-A Wilson

When Jon Ferguson first started at Wilson Community College, he thought he wanted to be an auto mechanic. But after taking some classes he didn’t see that in his future. Then he decided to try computer science, which he quickly learned didn’t interest him either. Jon had been working at a Chick-fil-A franchise since graduating from high school, so he decided to focus on climbing the ladder there. After all, he had a passion for business, got a lot out of serving people and had always wanted to be an entrepreneur, so Jon began taking business management and marketing classes to help build his skills.

Once he did, moving up in his job didn’t take long. “My roles at work started to change. I started going into leadership and saw how beneficial school was going to be in my near future,” Jon explained. He was excited to implement what he was learning into work. The courses he took gave him a better understanding of his strengths and weaknesses, different leadership styles and finances. They also helped him plan and lead meetings more effectively, provide better guidance to employees and gain soft skills that made him feel more professional—all of which boosted Jon’s confidence.

After graduating from Wilson Community College, Jon continued to grow within the restaurant group. His boss promoted him to Chief Operations Officer, which meant Jon was now in charge of managing two Chick-fil-A locations. In that role he oversees around 30 managerial employees and 140 team members, but that’s about to skyrocket to 250. It’s a lot of responsibility, but Jon was ready for it. His next big goal is to open his very own Chick-fil-A location. And after conquering that, he plans on doubling down and making it two.

Let’s find the right path for you.

Answer a few questions to see what your best route to getting hired might be.

Have you completed high school or an equivalent?

Nope. I’ve got a few years left.

Do you want to work toward earning a degree?

Yep.

All signs point to you getting a head start on your higher education while you’re still in high school.

That’s because the Career & College Promise program allows you to have duel enrollment, so you can work on both at the same time. And since this program is also tuition free, it’s a real money-saver.

Maybe.

All signs point to you getting a head start on your higher education while you’re still in high school.

Nope.

Your answers suggest on-the-job learning might be a great way to get your foot in the door.

This type of training combines hands-on learning with related classroom instruction. Apprentices earn money while learning a highly-skilled trade from an employer. State and federal certificates as well as other credentials can also be completed through an apprenticeship.

No.

How do you see community college benefitting you?

By helping me grow my skills.

Looks like your top priority is getting the skills you need fast—so you can land a good job quickly.

Short-term training, sometimes called continuing education, comes in various forms and are all focused on helping you gain the real-world skills you need to get into—or move up in—a number of fields. These courses often lead to state licensure or a certificate upon completion.

By preparing me to start a new career.

Your answers suggest on-the-job learning might be a great way to get your foot in the door.

Yes. (Or at least, I will soon.)

Are you interested in earning college credit?

Yes, definitely.

Which way do you prefer to learn?

Virtually or physically, being part of a class works for me.

How much time are you willing to spend getting an education?

Two years, tops. I’m trying to get done and get a job ASAP.

Seems like you want the opportunities that come with a degree, but in half the time of a bachelor’s.

Associate degrees are perfect for that. They can give you a big advantage over many non-degree holders in the job market—and open up even more potential positions that were previously out of reach. You’ll have relevant skills employers want in about two years.

I could do four—or more.

Great! Sounds like you plan on using community college as a stepping stone to a four-year university.

Like any associate degree, transfer degrees take about two years to complete—but this one includes general education credits that are easily transferable. It counts the same as having completed two years toward a bachelor’s degree.

I learn best by being hands-on. Just show me how to do it.

Your answers suggest on-the-job learning might be a great way to get your foot in the door.

Nope, I don’t need it.

How do you see community college benefitting you?

By helping me grow my skills.

Looks like your top priority is getting the skills you need fast—so you can land a good job quickly.

By preparing me to start a new career.

Looks like your top priority is gaining real-world skills—either through on-the-job learning or continuing education.

Short-term training or an apprenticeship can help you gain the specific skills you need to get into—or move up in—a number of fields. Certificates, licensure and other credentials can be completed through these programs via hands-on learning and/or classroom instruction.

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