Graduating with Momentum

For Collin Clair of Vergennes and Aidan Hall of Proctor, getting a head start on college while in high school didn’t just save money. It gave them time and support to figure out what they wanted to do and how to get there.

Both students were interested in computers but unsure what path would help them transform their hobby into a career. Encouraged by their counselors to consider Vermont’s Early College program, which allows high school seniors to enroll full-time in college courses at no cost, they each enrolled at CCV and graduated from high school with over 20 college credits and momentum on a purposeful pathway to an IT career.

After completing high school, Clair and Hall both chose to finish their CCV degrees in Information Technology through the Free Degree Promise, which offers Early College students a second year at CCV tuition-free — creating a fast, affordable pathway to an associate degree. Along the way to their degree, they both also completed a cybersecurity certificate.

Now, both students are at Champlain College studying cybersecurity and networking, building on the foundation they started in high school.

Learn More about the Free Degree Promise

‘Sign Me Up’

Clair, a 2024 graduate of Vergennes Union High School, said that early exposure to college-level work helped him discover an interest he hadn’t fully defined before.

“I love computers. I use them day-to-day and I like knowing about the things that I use and enjoy,” he said. “I just didn’t know what I wanted to do with that yet.”

When he learned that Early College could lead directly into a second free year at CCV, the decision made sense. “I was like, that’s an entire degree!” he said. “Sign me up for that. That sounds awesome.”

Seamless Transfer

Hall, a Proctor High School graduate and now a junior at Champlain College, had a similar goal: to expand his options while keeping costs manageable.

“I chose Early College and the Free Degree Promise because I wanted options,” Hall said. “Coming from a small high school, there weren’t a lot of IT, networking, or systems administration classes.”

“Another big reason was taking the financial burden off my shoulders,” he added. “College is not cheap, and taking on only two years was a real benefit.”

Explore Transfer Pathways

The transfer process itself was straightforward, thanks to established pathways between CCV and four-year institutions.

“All of my credits transferred, so I started here fully as a junior,” Hall said.

With their associate degrees complete and bachelor’s degrees underway, both are considering next steps in a field that continues to grow in Vermont. Roles such as software developers, computer systems analysts, and IT specialists are projected to offer median wages of at least $30 per hour, with more than 300 openings in the state between 2022 and 2032.

For Hall, that outlook aligns with his goals.

“When I graduate, I hope to go straight into the workforce as a network engineer or doing systems administration,” he said. “I will look for a remote job or a local job in the Rutland area.”

Clair is still exploring where he wants to focus but values having the time and space to make that decision. What both emphasize is that starting early and avoiding financial risk made it easier to explore their interests and take that first step with confidence.

Early College applications for the class of 2027 are open through August 5.

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