May 28 2009
Last night I was at the campus and peeked into the classroom. I saw the students actively engaged in their learning. In the front row proudly sat Patrick. He received a partial scholarship to attend the program. I love that he has claimed that front row seat! His journey has begun and he won’t be taking a back seat in his education!
May 20 2009
Today was the first day of class! I am so excited for the students who will be coming to class tonight filled with hope, excited and of course… some fear! It has been awhile since some of these students have set foot in a classroom. I am so proud of them for accepting this challenge. This is just another step on their journey to success! Congratulations Track 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 7000! I am thinking of each of you and will watch closely as you progress through the program!
May 14 2009
Yesterday Brandon Denty was awarded the First Full Tuition Scholarship at the Brookfield campus! I had the opportunity to meet with him and during his initial interview I was immediately impressed with his amazing personality and true passion to make a change. His application moved the entire Educational Council. Here are a couple of his responses….
When asked about a something that sets him apart he explained, “The biggest thing for me is I didn’t know my dad and now that I’m a father it is easier for me to look back and see everything my mother and I went through and how I learned to be a man from my experiences in life. I think that made me a stronger person and motivates me more. Now it’s a new chapter.”
When asked who had influenced his life the most he said, “My daughter Haylee Elizabeth. When I see her smile, laugh and run to me screaming daddy, I know that I need to better myself and in turn better her life as well. Haylee makes me feel like I can do anything.”
He summed up his application by saying, “I feel that if I was given this award I could finally show my talent and shine. I just feel like I just need a shot and I would make the best of it.”
Shine on Brandon! We are so excited to give you the shot you deserve!!!
May 12 2009
Recently one of our Campus Directors put out this challenge to his students “Show me your cable”…And look what he got!
We talk about “The Cable” in our orientations and the importance of the journey towards your new career. (See my very first post and the whole meaning behind “The Click“)
So now… I put the challenge out to everyone…. SHOW ME YOUR CABLE! How do you remind yourself to stay on track and committed to your career change?
May 11 2009
Last week a mother of two beautiful children enrolled in our program. For the past nine years she has stayed home caring for her young children while her husband works, rarely taking a day off ever in fear of not being able to then support his family. She is excited to rejoin the working world but what I loved most was that one of her main goals for completing the program was to allow her husband to take a guilt free day off. Before she walked into the campus to enroll her husband sent her a text that said “Thanks for helping our family. I love you.” There isn’t a greater love and support story out there than that!
May 08 2009
It’s Friday and I feel so energized by my experiences this week. I have had the opportunity to meet several prospective students over the past week during their enrollment experience. This is a rare treat for me as I am generally don’t get to meet the students until after they have started class. The stories I heard from these students is what inspire me the most. I met with a young woman who didn’t finish college because she got a job managing a retail store and she is one of the smartest students I have ever encountered. I met a man that had worked for 25 years in one line of work and was recently laid off and didn’t know what direction to take. I met with a young man and his parents who were proud they could support him as he starts his journey towards a new career. They were all quite different yet had one main thing in common….They are all so committed to making the changes they need to make! This is exactly why I love my job!
May 04 2009
Last week we had over a dozen companies on campus! The energy was awesome with all of my students dressed in their best and participating in mini-interviews and learning more about the local employment opportunities. Already I know of 2 students that have landed jobs and several more on follow-up interviews! Check out some pictures from the event.
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