LYNN-In today’s ever-changing job market, more employers are requiring applicants to possess an education beyond high school, but obtaining a college degree is often easier said than done.For many, life’s challenges prevent the opportunity to attend a traditional college after high school, creating difficult obstacles for those looking to establish a professional career.North Shore Community College is giving many of these individuals a chance to break the cycle with its nine-credit pre-college program titled “Project Enable,” which graduated its fall semester class last week.The three-course, one-semester program sponsored by the Department of Education is designed for non-traditional students who do not have the proper educational background to enroll in courses right away.The class is made up of individuals of all ages, either looking to start over later in life or take the next step after passing the General Education Development (GED) test.The three courses; basic communication, personal development and college success, are designed to provide students with a fundamental background in the basis of college education and will help ease the students in to a broader area of focus at NSCC.The project also provides academic and personal support services including adjustment to college; academic advising; basic computer skills; money management; career advisement/planning; communication networking; and library/research skills.”Because of the fact that most of these students have GEDs, they are not coming from the traditional route,” said Program Director Babo Kamel. “Most are able to put the credits toward a transfer to one of our college programs.”Kamel and fellow program teacher Ina Resnikoff graduated 20 students from the program last week in a small ceremony, sending the diverse group to the next step in achieving their dreams of a college education.Among those students was 65-year-old Marguerite Bartolo, a widow for Lynn who is raising her 14-year-old nephew. Despite medical problems, Bartolo told her family it was her dream to attend college and was able to complete the Project Enable course this semester despite her struggles.Kamel says Bartolo is one of many students that have overcome difficult challenges to complete the program, and that sort of dedication helps inspire the other students in the close-knit class.”She is a tremendous woman who has shown an incredible thirst for learning and a great generosity of spirit,” she said. “Margie is certainly a student that stands out and really has the other student’s admiration.”The program is available to students again in January, with registration going on now. Interested candidates must have at least achieved a GED and must conduct a personal interview before they are chosen for the course. All of the credits are transferable to most programs of study at the college. For more information, contact Kamel at 781-477-2185.