VJ Kumar: Learning Has No Age Limit

VJ Kumar: Learning Has No Age Limit

Spotlight on REV/G3 Scholars

by Ambria Ingram / Reynolds REV Coach

Reynolds Community College prides itself on being the college "where outstanding careers get started!" After meeting VJ Kumar, we can also add "where outstanding learners make a difference!"

"Don't let your age stop you from going to school." – VJ Kumar, Lifelong Learner.

VJ, a native of Dubai, India, is currently a student at Reynolds Community College and a vocal advocate of education at all levels. VJ is a student in the Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate program for Fall 2021 and is excelling in his classes. He shared that pursuing a college education was delayed due to family responsibilities and assisting in building a start-up company in Dubai. Even so, at age 67, he never felt it was too late to pursue his college dreams.

As he told me during our conversation:

"It doesn't matter what age you are when going back to school, and it doesn't matter what challenges you are facing. You can still pursue your dreams."

VJ believes that regardless of your career or job, "it's imperative to continue your education to help you diversify in other high-demand career areas."

He has been in the financial consulting business for 17 years with other business endeavors. He is an entrepreneur operating an independent financial consultancy practice. His job entails helping individuals with retirement plans, annuities, life and health insurance, long-term care coverage, and education savings plans to ensure his clients' needs and goals are within their budgets.

VJ is always looking for ways to diversify his skills and knowledge. While working as a financial consultant, he researched high-demand jobs and realized that cybersecurity jobs would continue to increase, creating a need for qualified professionals. This led him to pursue cybersecurity classes in hacking, networking, and troubleshooting. This knowledge helps him protect his business from cyberattacks and gives him alternative career options.

He took a break from his cybersecurity studies to pursue a Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate. He wants to understand how medications could impact clients he works with in his insurance business. "Acquiring the pharmacy technician training and certification also adds another career option," VJ said. He feels this specialized knowledge gives him an edge over other insurance professionals by helping him understand medications and the conditions his clients face.

VJ describes a college education not just as a path to securing a job but also as "an opportunity to acquire different skills to help the career you are currently in and the one you would like to pursue."

When his wife lost her travel agent job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, VJ said it reaffirmed his belief in lifelong learning. "That is why I always said diversification," he added.

VJ is confident that Reynolds Community College is the right place to achieve his goals. He had high praise for the Reynolds staff and faculty. "I love that Reynolds' professors and faculty members are proactive and support all students by helping them understand the course materials and answering any questions."

VJ received grants through the REV (Re-Employing Virginians) Program and the G3 Program (Get Skilled, Get a Job, Get Ahead), both offered by the State of Virginia to support students pursuing new career paths. These grants helped him attend classes, cover tuition and books, and ease living expenses. He received one semester of tuition support through REV, and G3 covered tuition and book costs for the 2021–2022 academic year.

His advice to other adult learners: "Listen to your professors' lectures" and use academic resources. He encourages strong time management to complete assignments. His dedication has earned him a 4.0 GPA. "If students put in the required effort toward their academics, they can achieve a high GPA, which will go a long way in carving their path."

"The most important piece of advice I tell adult learners is not to look at school as just getting a job because you can get a job anywhere. Instead, look at attending school as pursuing the dreams and passions you want out of life to become successful."

VJ believes each person defines their own path in life: "Gaining knowledge and going back to school will help with your ego. If you keep the same drive throughout your life, you can keep going."

Fun facts about VJ: He is the oldest sibling of a brother and two sisters. He has a wife, a son, and a daughter. His father was a first-generation student who inspired him to pursue a college education. His hobbies include playing soccer, table tennis, and chess. He enjoys all genres of music, dancing with his daughter, traveling to the mountains, and looks forward to one day becoming a grandfather.