career. She received the Haberling Family Scholarship, and a scholarship director introduced her to the sponsors, Ty (’83) and Noelia Haberling of Kennewick. Ty Haberling later encouraged Ramos to apply for a position at his company, HFG Trust. “I thought, ‘You know what? I will,’” Ramos said. “‘This school and this program have prepared me for this, and I'm ready to make the jump.’” Ramos secured her job as a wealth planner at HFG a few months before graduation. SKILLS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Ty Haberling said a college degree—especially from Central’s personal financial planning program —provides the background people need in the growing financial planning industry. He doesn’t believe a four-year degree is a must for everybody, but for professional fields, college is an opportunity to prepare for a career and mature. “What does college give you? You're going to figure out whether you've got the discipline and the focus to be able to stay on campus and to complete your coursework and balance life,” Haberling said. “There's so many things that distract you when you're on your own at 18.” Brandy Peters-Mayer—a senior program manager at Microsoft who is part of the College of Business Leadership Board—said her father always told her a degree shows people you’re trainable. “A bachelor's degree is the gateway into proving that you can follow through and commit to something and get those critical, essential skills in your field,” she said. “Then the reality is, you use those skills that you got from your undergraduate to apply to wherever you go.” Higher education also gives people the opportunity to become more well-rounded and globally minded, Peters- Mayer said. “The thing I like about Central is how diverse the university is,” she said. “The experiences you get with such a diverse student population really prepare you for the working world.” INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION Like Moran, Ramos set an example of college success for her family and people in her small, agriculture-focused hometown of Cowiche. Ramos hopes her experience shows young people that their strengths and interests can guide them in deciding their college path. “Take in mind your strengths and passions when you’re figuring out what major to pursue,” Ramos advised future students. “You will be dedicating a lot of your time learning about this subject, so choose a major you will find
Evelyn Ramos
Jeffrey Stinson, dean of the College of Business, said he expects the earnings gap to close in some disciplines. But the overall difference is still dramatic. “A degree is still a very strong investment, and one of the best investments that you can make,” Stinson said. “There's a lot of talk in the public press about removing a degree as a requirement for many jobs. And yet, if you look at who's getting hired for those jobs, there still is an observable preference for a degree, and certainly when you get into promotion and advancement opportunities. You still have many more opportunities with a degree than without.” The personal benefits go beyond money. College creates an environment where students build relationships with peers and mentors. Evelyn Ramos (’22)—a first-generation student from Cowiche, Washington, who majored in business with a specialization in financial planning—found close friends at Central. Her professors also were an invaluable resource. “The professors really do care for you and want you to be successful,” Ramos said. “They provide you with all the resources necessary to find a job and go out into the world.” For some, the promise of future earnings is tempered by the cost of college now. To save money, Ramos earned her associate’s degree at a community college. After transferring, she found a multitude of scholarship opportunities at Central. Central’s alumni network not only helped make college more affordable for Ramos; it connected her with her
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