03 Apr
After coordinating hazardous materials training classes for three years as part of her job with NLC’s Center for Excellence in Safety and Health, Simone Roundtree decided it was finally time for her to be the student.
In addition to her other roles as working full time, and being a mother to a six and four year old, Simone Roundtree is now a student with dreams of finishing her degree at NLC and becoming a Hazardous Materials trainer.
“Six instructors taught my class and they all started out as a student, so they know exactly what it’s like to be a working adult. It was an awesome experience,” said Simone, a member of Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 2.
Learn more about the week-long Hazardous Materials Transportation/Chemical Emergency Response training that Simone took in this blog post.
“It’s so important to get this [safety and health] information out. Attending the class is a reality check for the students. They have no idea what they’re exposed to every day and how to deal with the chemicals,” said Simone, a degree candidate for the Bachelor of Arts in Labor Safety and Health.
Simone has wanted to finish her degree for a while now, but she kept the goal simmering on the back burner:
It’s been a long time since I’ve been in school. Before now, I just didn’t have the right opportunity with working full time, but now that my daughter is in school, I decided that this was the right time to finish my degree.
For Simone, the best part about NLC is that it’s geared towards working adults:”NLC makes it easy for a working adult to finish a degree.”
With fully online classes, Simone feels it’s easier to do the course work while juggling her other roles. She also has the support of her husband, who knows how important this is for Simone.
NLC gives you everything you need to be successful. They don’t just hand you a book or show you a video. When you leave the class, you know how to save your own life and how to save others.
Next up for Simone is the Train the Trainer course, a 40-hour program held at National Labor College’s George Meany Campus in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Learn more about completing your bachelor’s degree in Labor Safety and Health.
If you have questions, feel free to contact Simone.