Jereme Jump, 27, has arrived at a crossroads.
“Completing my bachelors degree has been a dream of both mine and my father’s for as long as I can remember,” said English senior Jump. “After being laid-off in September, I’m not sure where the money is going to come from.”
Although his parents divorced when Jump was 8 years old, his father, Robert, remained a constant influence. Even though he never completed high school, Jump’s father encouraged him to obtain a college degree and pursue a career.
“I’m extremely proud of Jereme for pursuing a career in education,” said Robert Jump, 53. “His education will provide opportunities I never had.”
After graduating in 2001 from A.C. Jones High School in Beeville, Texas, Jump accepted a job at Guild Construction Company, where his father worked. While working fulltime, he took classes at San Antonio College where he completed an associates degree in liberal arts.
“I spent four years at San Antonio College because I was trying to figure out what type of career I wanted,” Jump said. “After pursuing courses towards becoming a pharmacist, I discovered it wasn’t for me.”
As a first-generation college student, Jump struggled to find guidance in his early years of college. Because neither of his parents attended college he wasn’t sure where to turn for advice.
In his 2004 article “First-Generation College Students,” Ernest T. Pascarella describes similar guidance issues. “Compared to their peers, first-generation college students tend to be at a distinct disadvantage with respect to basic knowledge about post secondary education (e.g., costs and application process), level of family income and support, educational degree expectations and plans.”
“I really didn’t seek out career guidance and just kind of figured it out myself,” Jump said.
While accumulating over 100 credit hours and a degree at San Antonio College, Jump worked fulltime and is content to have paid for school without financial aid. “I’ve worked my way through college and I’m proud to say I’ve never relied on any type of assistance.”
“I’m glad Jereme witnessed what I went through to support a family, it has helped him to look past working construction and pursue a profession,” remarked his father.
Jump enrolled at TAMU-SA in the spring of 2008 semester to pursue an English degree with a minor in education to launch into a teaching career. He continued to work fulltime until September of this year.
“I decided to pursue a teaching career because most of the positive influences in my life, besides my parents, have been teachers,” Jump said.
Mr. Jordan, a favorite teacher in high school, took the time to help him figure out his problems.
“He was more concerned with helping kids to become good citizens than [he was with] grades,” Jump said. “That’s what I believe teachers should do.”
Following an investment of nine years and thousands of dollars, Jump has reached his greatest hurdle. By continuing to work through September this year, he has likely disqualified himself from student aid for the coming semester.
“Back when I was making money, I was denied aid, because the cost analysis said I made too much. Now with this coming semester we’ll see what they say. I can use the money now.”
Resembling most first-generation students, Jump is reluctant to take on student loans to finish his degree.
“With the way student aid is today, the best I can hope for is student loans that will take forever to pay off,” Jump said.
Sitting recently in the Student Center, sporting a short, neat haircut and dressed smartly in a blue and white striped dress shirt, Jump contemplated his future.
“I will finish this degree,” Jump said. “No matter what it takes!”
