The transition from high school to college is a tough one for any student. But this Agora graduate is embracing the change. Nik Nowalk is a 2014 Agora graduate. He just finished his first year at Lackawanna College at the school of Petroleum and Natural Gas. He is currently pursuing a degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Measurement.

           Being in the middle of the natural gas boom, and living in the middle of the Marcellus Shale formation, this degree is the ideal one for Nik. “[The job] requires you to use your mind and your hands. It seemed like a good fit at the right time,” he said.

           Prior to starting at Lackawanna College, Nik was an Agora student for seven years. He was involved in National Honor Society and participated in NHS hosted events, such as holiday cards for heroes. Nik says cyber school did help shape his experience at Lackawanna. “School wise, yes, it helped me prepare academically.”

           But Nik admits it was hard to make outside contacts with the cyber schooling format. Now, Nik is enjoying being able to make contact. He is a member of his Lackawanna College ’s Society of Petroleum and is completing an internship over the summer.

          His plans after college? “Getting a job. I plan to keep things simple,” he stated. “Work, save some money…plan for the long term.”

          Outside of school, Nik pursues his hobbies of woodworking, guitar, trains, and insulator collecting. “I like making things with my hands, so woodworking came about,” Nik said. “My dad was always very DIY and handy, so I picked it up.”

          Nik says that if you want to work with wood, you have to have space for it. “You can go far with cheap hand tools though, if you have a way to learn it,” Nik added.

          His advice for cyber schoolers? Don’t procrastinate!  “Cyber schoolers are lenient towards procrastination, but the real world won’t let you,” Nik says. “And don’t be afraid to go out and be social,” he added. “It stinks to be stuck inside all day. Get out and make professional connections. It holds true that it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. “