Quincy Eggert graduated from Whatcom Community College in 2020 with an Associate in Arts & Science degree. He is now working as a videographer for NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. 

This story was originally featured in Whatcom Community College's Winter 2024 quarterly newsletter.

Why did you choose WCC?

I chose WCC because of its Running Start program. I had just moved to Bellingham as a junior in high school at Sehome, and when I heard about the opportunity to graduate from high school with a college degree for free, I knew the offer was too good to pass up.

What program or area did you study?

I graduated with an associates transfer degree so that I could go on to attend a
four-year university.

Where are you working now and how did you arrive there?

I am now working as a videographer for NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. After graduating from WCC, I went to Chapman University where I majored in Broadcast Journalism and Documentary Film. But I couldn't have done it without my experience at WCC, which prepared me for the next step in my collegiate career. I graduated from Chapman in May 2023 after graduating from WCC in 2020 and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to attend two great schools and use the knowledge I have gained at both to help me start my career.

Can you share your perspectives on what helped you succeed at Whatcom Community College?

What barriers did you face?

Done is good. It's a motto I have gone by for years, and something that I stick with. No matter how many things are going on in life, school, work, etc., if you can focus on just completing the things you set out to do to the best of your ability, there's nothing more that you can do. Taking things one day and one task at a time and getting as many small victories as I can is definitely how I got through my midterms, finals, projects, and presentations while at WCC. Just get it done!

What are your aspirations for your career going forward?

While I'm not sure what's next for me as I recently started here at NASA, eventually, I would like to work on nature documentaries. Watching Planet Earth and Blue Planet was what got me into documentary filmmaking and I would love to be able to film nature and tell its stories. Otherwise, I want to continue to learn and gain skills that will help me get better at my current job, and any others that I may have down the line.

Did you have a favorite professor or mentor at WCC?

Guy Smith was definitely my favorite professor at WCC. His intro to communications and also public speaking classes were such fun learning environments where going to class was actually fun. His public speaking class, even after attending another school, is still my favorite class. I gained so much confidence, and feel as though it has helped me immensely whether it be for interviewing people for documentaries, getting interviewed for jobs, and just overall speaking with confidence!

What does Whatcom Community College mean to you?

Whatcom Community College is definitely special to me. It provided me with an excellent stepping stone to spring off of into the rest of my life. Getting to graduate from WCC and Sehome High School at the same time was an absolute godsend, and I am very grateful for it.

Are there any thoughts or advice you would like to share with a future student at Whatcom?

My advice would just be to take things one at a time, and make lots of small goals instead of one big one. Set out to get your next assignment done, then the one after that. It's so easy to get overwhelmed when you are focused only on the future and all the things you'll have to do eventually (I am very guilty of this), so instead just live now and take things one step at a time. On a more logistical note, take advantage of the resources that WCC has outside of just classes! The gym is excellent and free! Go to office hours when you're stumped, use the library to save money on textbooks, and finally...go to class!