Student Success Profile: Genie Loteria

Today's post spotlights the inspirational story of Genie Loteria. Genie is a Workforce Education student who is pursuing Business Education training at Green River. She is nearing completion of multiple certificates in her field of study. In spite of the obstacles, Genie pressed forward and made her dreams become a reality. Check out the story of her success below! Like Genie says, you can do anything you put your mind to.

Hi Genie. Thanks so much for joining us on the blog. Can you tell us what you're studying at Green River?

Genie: I am under the Business Education Certificate Program at Green River. I am currently on my final quarter, taking up Records Management to earn my final certificate for File Clerk. I have already finished and earned three certificates, namely: Accounting Clerk, Data Entry, and Office Support. 

Can you tell us the story of how you decided to pursue training in this field?

Genie: When I immigrated here from the Philippines, I had planned to rejoin the workforce as an accounting or administrative assistant. However, I found it difficult to find a job because of my lack of experience here in the U.S., as well as necessary training in computers and current business practices. I realized that in order for me to be able to work in the fields I am interested in, I needed to take the necessary steps to equip myself with computer skills, as well as brush up on business and accounting skills and knowledge, so I decided that going back to school would give me what I needed. Workforce Education at Green River was VERY instrumental in allowing me to go back to school, and I'm very grateful for all the assistance I received and continue to receive.

You're getting ready to graduate with multiple certificates. Congrats! What types of jobs will you be applying for after graduation?

Genie: Thank you. I really would like to start a career in accounting, particularly payroll, so I will be applying for accounting assistant, payroll assistant, or administrative assistant types of positions.

What advice would you have for new students who are thinking about pursuing training in a similar field of study?

Genie: My advice for them is to move forward with obtaining a good education despite the difficulties. I am in my early sixties, new to the country, and have a medical condition that made it difficult for me to hear, and I really thought I wouldn't be able to go back to school, but I have persevered and now I am almost done. I have gained the necessary skills I need to pursue a career that I want and most importantly, I have gained confidence in myself that I can do anything I set my mind to.

$$$ Tip! All four Workforce Education funding programs - BFET, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst - support Business Education training at Green River.

     

Student Success Profile: Michelle Parrott

Today's Student Success Profile features a brief Q and A with Michelle Parrott. Michelle is a Workforce Education student who is enrolled in one of Green River's most popular (and competitive) programs: Physical Therapist Assistant. In the post below, she provides an insightful take on what it means to be a PTA student.

Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us on the blog. To start, what's it like being a student in the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Green River?

Michelle: I love being a student in the PTA program here at Green River. The professors are amazing and the program is constantly evolving to keep up with the growing field. We cover so much in a two year time period. I feel much more prepared for the real world than I did with my original Bachelor's degree. We also spend so much time together as a cohort, it's like one big family. I am very happy that I made the decision to go back to school. This is a great program!

Can you tell us the story of how you decided to pursue a degree in this field of study?

Michelle: My original degree was in Exercise Science, specializing in corporate fitness. Unfortunately I was never able to find a job in the field. Since then, I had several long term office jobs, but was never really happy with my career. When the last company I worked for went out of business, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to go back to school in the a field similar to my original degree. My neighbor had also graduated from this program several years ago, and loves the field.

What advice would you have for new students who are thinking about pursuing a similar degree?

Michelle: First of all, it's important to remember that it's never too late to go back to school. We have an age range from 19-60+ years of age in our program. Also, the Worker Retraining program at Green River helped so much in allowing me to back to school, so I would look into that funding program, as well as other funding programs offered through Workforce Education. The PTA program accepts only 32 students per year, so it's important to stand out. The application only asks for 20 hours of volunteer work as a requirement to apply, but I would do as many hours as you can. I would also suggest volunteering in several different types of Physical Therapy settings. It's a tough program regardless of your background, so I would be prepared to work no more than 20 hours per week outside of class, if that. A strong background in anatomy helps too!

$$$ Update! All four Workforce Education programs - BFET, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst - support Physical Therapist Assistant training at Green River.  

Student Success Profile: Jason Gresham

Today's Student Success Profile features a brief Q and A Jason Gresham. Jason is a Workforce Education student enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Green River. In the post below, he shares his inspirational story of new beginnings.

Hi Jason, thanks for joining us on the blog. To start, what's it like being a student in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Green River?

Jason: Being in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Green River Community College is hands down the best opportunity I have had for not only me, but my family as well. The instructors and students are both hard-working and friendly. It is a good thing to be striving for success along with others that want the same for themselves.

Can you tell us the story of how you decided to pursue a degree in this field of study?

Jason: I would say that before I decided to pursue this field of study, I was first given an opportunity that was bittersweet. I say this because I was laid off from my full-time drywall position of ten years in 2010. When I lost my job and heard about Workforce Education, I realized I could work on starting a new beginning. This was the sweet part because I never wanted to do drywall for the rest of my life anyways.

The last couple of years before I was laid off, I honestly spent a lot of thought on the idea that even though I was providing for my family, I was not happy with what I was doing. It really became a conflict of identity for me because I've always thought that if you have to do something everyday, it would be nice it it was spent doing something meaningful. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for all of the hard-working, blue collar men and women and the jobs that get things done, but for me I needed something else.

When I learned about Workforce Education and what amazing opportunities they were helping to give, I was all in! I knew that it would require dedication and was ready to go for it. Green River's Occupational Therapy Assistant Program was a good fit for me because I wanted to help people, and I also wanted to help them with a lot of things and activities most of us take for granted. This is to me one of the big differences that the OTA Program here at Green River provides. 

What advice would you have for new students who are thinking about pursuing a similar degree?

Jason: If I had any advice to give a person that is looking to get into a similar field or any field for that matter, I would say to go after what you care about most and not what will pay you the most, and down the line you might just get both if you work hard and keep your eye on the prize. Another thing to remember when pursuing any field of study, is that you probably don't truly know all of your options for every step of the process. This is where organizations like Workforce Education is a phenomenal help and guide. They can help you talk to the right people and navigate your path to success. Always think about asking the right questions and never give up!

$$$ Funding Tip! All four Workforce Education funding programs - BFET, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst - support the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Green River.

Food Stamp Tweet Week

This week, Newark Mayor Cory Booker is tweeting his week on food stamps (you can read the Mashable article and follow his Twitter feed by clicking here). In an effort to build solidarity for folks who live on food stamps, and to raise awareness of issues around food justice, Booker will spend just $29.78 on food this week, from 12/4 to 12/11.

Imagine getting by on $29.78 worth of food stamps. Every penny counts. What's astounding is that food stamps isn't some liberal-heart-bleeding safety net program for the poorest of the poor. According to a recent New York Times article, over 46 million Americans receive food stamps, up from 26.3 million Americans in 2007.

46 million. That means 15 percent of the population in this country are counted poor, and therefore eligible for food benefits. What does this mean? It means poverty is growing. It means a lot of people need help to eat. It means something as fundamental as hunger is a ginormous societal problem that's hiding in plain sight.

A couple of things in response.

One, maybe you're receiving food benefits. If so, have you thought about going to school to get new skills leading to a better job? The Workforce Education office at Green River Community College administers several different funding programs that help low-income students pay for school. One of those programs - the Basic Food Employment & Training Program - specifically helps food stamp recipients. To apply, visit go2collegefree.com or call 253-833-9111 ext 2211.

Two, maybe you're having trouble meeting your grocery bill each week and it's never occurred to you to apply for food stamps / food assistance. If so, you can apply online at foodhelp.wa.gov. It's a quick and relatively easy application process.

Student Success Profile: Nicole Rubia

Today's blog post features a fascinating Q and A with Nicole Rubia. Nicole is a Workforce Education student at Green River. She's enrolled in the college's rigorous Court Reporting program which, depending on the area of emphasis, prepares students for careers in Closed Captioning, Medical Stenoscriptionist, and Court Reporting.

Nicole Rubia

Hi Nicole. Can you describe for us what being a student in the Court Reporting program is like?

Nicole: It's a very challenging, fast-paced program and all of your assignments have to be at 98% or better. I like to compare it to learning a foreign language. It's a lot of practice, repetition and muscle memory because at higher speeds your muscles will react before your brain can catch up. The end-goal testing speed for the Court Reporting program is 225 WORDS PER MINUTE, after all! I'm a person who really thrives on challenges, so I find it exciting. I find that even with an extensive class time, I'm on my machine 2-3 hours a day, especially on days when I don't have class. I try to get in 30 minutes of practice first thing in the morning before heading to school, another 30 minutes before I go to bed at night and one practice session when I get home on days I don't have a shorthand class. I tend to practice more on weekends. It sounds like a lot but I've managed to find a good balance between being a mom, participating in Work Study, staying on top of my classes and making time for practicing stenography.

Can you tell us the story of how you decided to choose this as a field of study?

Nicole: I have a strong legal background. I started as an Investigator for The Public Defender's Association in King County, and then I went into Civil Litigation as a Complex Litigation Paralegal with a focus in Construction Defect and Personal Injury. The hours were starting to take a toll on me and I'd always wanted to go into Court Reporting and further my education, but as a single parent I didn't think going to school was an option. This past April I had a day off and went to the Green River Community College website to look into the Court Reporting program and found out about a Go 2 College Free funding workshop (put on by Workforce Education). I signed up and went that same day. I left the workshop enrolled and registered for classes for the upcoming quarter, with my tuition and books paid for.

What's next after completing your degree?

Nicole: Because of my legal background, I plan on going into freelance court reporting, and hopefully someday becoming an official reporter (for congressional hearings, etc).

Last of all, what advice would you give to new students who are thinking about enrolling in the Court Reporting program?

Nicole: Do your research and get informed! Going back to school is NOT impossible. There are so many resources out there to help you get started and to obtain a degree. Had I known about all the resources sooner, I probably wouldn't have waited as long.

$$$ The following Workforce Education funding programs support Court Reporting at Green River: BFET, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst.

Prof Tech Profile #11: Aerospace Programs

Today's Prof Tech profile features a brief Q and A with Bob Embrey, who will be talking about three exciting new Aerospace training programs now available at Green River.

Bob Embrey

Hi Bob. Thanks for joining us on the blog. To start, can you tell us the story of how Aerospace came to Green River?

BOB: In 2010 Boeing and companies in the aerospace supply chain began work with the Washington State Community College system to align curriculum more closely with industry needs. The first step was to examine aerospace and manufacturing curriculum already in place around the state and then make recommendations. After an exhaustive tour, the consensus was that two-year degrees – while highly encouraged along with four-year and graduate education – actually train well beyond what entry level candidates need to know. From that came the recommendation for short-term education and training programs, perhaps in the form of stackable certificates. Next, the governor’s office acknowledged this vital piece of the workforce training continuum and provided grant funds dedicated to the development of short-term aerospace training programs. Green River Community College proposed a plan to deliver three brand new certificate programs and in early 2012 the college went from concept to classroom in 100 days with the help of several industry partners and highly committed faculty.

There are currently three different Aerospace certificate programs: Precision Machining, Machine Maintenance, and Quality Assurance. How can prospective students determine what certificate pathway is best for them?

BOB: A good way to determine the best pathway is to match your interests and background with the program. If you have strong interest you’ll stay motivated, and if your background aligns in the least bit you’ll come across that much better on a resume’. Getting a job involves three keys: 1) knowledge and skills, 2) personality, and 3) experience. The college provides the knowledge and skill training and the individual brings the other 2/3 of the equation, so matching your interests and background with a particular program is significant to success. Prospective students can learn more about the typical work in each of these programs by visiting greenriver.edu/aerospace and checking the News and Resources page. In addition, here are some videos here and here that might help in the decision process.

The future of Aerospace looks bright. What kinds of jobs might Aerospace training at Green River prepare students for?

BOB: Background and experience play a large role in job positioning. Here are some typical jobs for which these programs help prepare:

• Principles of Precision Machining will prepare students for entry level positions as Assemblers and Fabricators, Machinist’s Assistants, Metal Workers, Machine Operators, and more.

• Machine Maintenance will prepare students for entry level positions as Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Facilities/Machinery Maintenance workers, General Maintenance and Repair Workers, Maintenance Technicians, Building Maintenance Technician, Industrial Maintenance Technician, and more.

• Quality Assurance will prepare students for entry level positions as Quality Inspectors, Testers, Samplers, Quality Assurance Technicians, Quality Systems Assistants, Quality Managers, Quality Specialist, Quality Analyst, and more.

$$$ The following Workforce Education funding programs support Aerospace pathways at Green River: BFET, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst.

Counseling Services Q and A

Today's post features a brief Q and A with Monica Clark, Counseling Adjunct Faculty Member extraordinaire at Green River. She'll be giving us an overview of counseling services available at the college.

Monica Clark, Counselor

Hi Monica. To start, what can you tell us about the types of counseling services available to students at Green River?

Monica: Counseling Services provides free and confidential short-term personal counseling to any enrolled student at Green River Community College. We work with students to provide support around any challenges or concerns that are preventing them from doing their best in school and / or feeling their best. We can help students deal with personal problems and situational crises, gain coping and stress management skills, improve self-esteem, decrease anxiety and depressed mood, and learn new relationship skills, adjust to college life, and reach their personal and academic goals. 

If a student feels like (s)he needs to speak with a counselor, what is the first step?

Monica: Counseling Services is open Monday through Friday from 9:00-4:00 pm. Students can either call 253-833-9111 ext 2460, email at chs@greenriver.edu, or visit in person (LC building, room 231) to make an appointment. 

Can students drop in for walk-in counseling services?

Monica: We have drop-in hours for students on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12:00-1:00 pm, although it is first come first serve so there is no guarantee that a counselor will be available. If a student needs to be seen immediately, they can come in and we will certainly make an effort to see them.

Are there any other counseling service updates that you would like to share?

Monica: Every quarter we do a week of personal development workshops for any student to attend on topics such as study skills, stress management, healthy relationships and test anxiety. We typically do these workshops the third week of each quarter, although we also offer a couple of these workshops at the Kent Station campus later in the quarter.

Master Achiever Center (MAC)

Cammie Ochoa, MAC Specialist

Today's blog post features a Q and A with Cammie Ochoa, Green River Community College's resident MAC Specialist. She'll be talking about services available through the college's Master Achiever Center.

Hi Cammie. Welcome to the blog. To start, can you give us a short overview of the Master Achiever Center?

Cammie: The Master Achiever Center strives to provide Basic Skills students with resources and academic advising in order to support them in reaching their educational and career goals.

What services does the MAC offer?

Cammie: A wide variety of services are offered in the MAC. We support students with identifying and defining their educational and / or career goals. In addition, we assist students in mapping out their specific certificate or degree courses and selecting classes to take each quarter. Another unique service we offer relates to finding an appropriate funding source to pay for school. This can be a very challenging task for many students, but we are here to help take students through each step and make sure they have funding in place. The MAC also offers a number of helpful workshops throughout the quarter, including the Tutoring and Resources Orientation, COMPASS Preparation Workshop, and the Scholarship Search Workshop.

Who is eligible to receive MAC services?

Cammie: The MAC serves students enrolled in Basic Skills. These are students taking ESOL, GED, ABE or I-BEST classes. Each quarter, we make presentations in these classes and invite students to make an appointment and utilize MAC services.

Are there any other highlights about the MAC that you would like to share?

The Master Achiever Center Team

Cammie: The MAC is a fairly new department on campus - we've only been open for just over a year! Developing the MAC from the ground up has allowed us to create processes and procedures which really take into consideration the needs of our Basic Skills students. We have been able to try things and make adjustments as needed depending on our results. It's an exciting time to work in the MAC! Recently, we added additional staff to support the MAC's expansion. We have a full-time AmeriCorps member to support our MAC Peer Mentoring Program and a part-time Advisor / Specialist to provide additional advising support at our Kent Campus. With these additions, we will be able to serve more Basic Skills students, providing them with guidance and support in reaching their educational and career goals.

Questions? You can reach Cammie by phone at 253-833-9111 ext. 2016, or by email at cochoa@greenriver.edu.

Check Out Kent Campus!

Cecilia Adam, Educational Planner

Today's post features a brief Q and A with Cecilia Adam, educational planner extraordinaire. She'll be discussing services available at Green River Community College's Kent Station Campus. If you haven't checked out the Kent Campus before, you should swing by. Located in the heart of bustling Kent Station, the Kent Campus offers a broad range of classes and services to Green River students.

Hi Cecilia. Thanks for joining us. Can you give us a broad overview of the types of classes offered at the Kent Campus?

Cecilia: The Green River Community College Kent Campus offers credit classes for transfer and professional technical degrees, as well as classes for ESOL and GED. In addition, the Kent Campus offers Continuing Education classes in business, computers and technology, contract training, no-cost small business counseuling, job skills training, and professional education.

Since Workforce Education students typically enroll in vocational pathways, can you tell us specifically what professional technical-related classes are offered at the Kent Campus?

Cecilia: Professional technical students who are studying Business Management can complete all of the course work towards that degree at the Kent Campus. The Kent Campus also offers many of the classes toward the following professional technical degrees or certificates: Accounting, Administrative Assistant, Business Application Specialist, Medical Office Assistant, Early Childhood Education, and the pre-requisite classes for Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Nursing.

Why choose the Kent Campus?

Cecilia: The Kent Campus offers a small and friendly atmosphere. Most classes are 20 - 25 students. Parking is plentiful and it is easy access to the Sounder train, buses, and freeways. The Kent Campus offers classes on a block schedule (Monday / Wednesday or Tuesday / Thursday) in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Finally, Kent Campus is close to great restaurants and shopping at Kent Station!

Kent Campus, located in bustling Kent Station

What services can students access at the Kent Campus?

Cecilia: The Kent Campus has many of the same student services as the Auburn main campus. Students can take the COMPASS assessment, meet with an educational planner, and attend a Student Orientation Advising and Registration session, all at the Kent Campus. Workforce Education coordinators are here on Mondays and Thursdays, too, to meet with students. The bookstore is at the Kent Campus the first week of each quarter. There's a spacious computer lab and library books can be ordered online and sent over from Holman Library. In addition, Kent Campus offers monthly information sessions for the Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Nursing programs, as well as sessions that cover Federal Financial Aid. Each quarter, the Kent Campus offers a variety of other kinds of workshops including: Career Exploration, College Success Skills, and Applying For Scholarships. Finally, the Kent Campus also offers limited tutoring services.

For more information about the Green River Community College Kent Campus, go to: greenriver.edu/academics/courses-at-kent-campus