You cannot imagine the difference. I was entering the job market with quite a few strikes against me — first of all being an ex-felon was the biggest but also my age. But not only was getting a degree from Ashland a plus, but getting one at my age and circumstances made employers look at me in quite a different way. Without it, I would probably be in a dead-end job or an unemployment line. The opportunities are out there for ex-offenders, but there is a lot of competition, and you must be prepared. If Ashland does anything, it prepares you, but it also does so much more.