Student Success Profile: Jillian Jimenez

Jillian Jimenez, Air Traffic Controller

Today's success profile features a brief Q and A with Jillian Jimenez. Jillian is a Workforce Education student who is enrolled in the Air Traffic Control program at Green River. A mother of two wonderful children, Jillian also works at nearby Crest Airpark in Kent, WA, assisting with the airport's day-to-day operations. A passion for aviation, along with excellent time management skills and a strong support network, have propelled her successfully through the Air Traffic Control program--she graduates next quarter! Check out her story below.

Hi Jillian, thanks for joining us on the blog. What's it like being a student in the Air Traffic Control program at Green River?

I love being a student in the Air Traffic Control program. The teachers are very thorough and have effective teaching styles that help me understand the material. Flying in the flight simulators also helps with the hands on learning, especially when we are learning about how to fly the airplane and how to use the instruments. When I first started school at Green River, I was five months pregnant with my daughter--a challenging but exciting time.

What made you decide to pursue training in this particular field?

My parents both worked for the FAA as Air Traffic Controllers over thirty years and they are both now retired. My mom was a tower controller and started her career when she enlisted in the Army in 1977. She worked at Kitzingen Tower in Kitzingen, Germany from 1978 to 1980; Campbell Tower in Fort Campbell, Kentucky from 1980 to 1981; Palomar Tower in Carlsbad, California from 1982 to 1984; Santa Monica Tower in Santa Monica, California from 1984 to 1989; and Los Angeles Tower in Los Angeles, California from 1989 to 2010. My dad worked at Los Angeles TRACON for five years; High Desert TRACON for three years; Flight Service for five years; and Regional Headquarters for nineteen years. Both my parents were very successful in their careers; as such, I felt very comfortable going into this field.

How has the Workforce Education department helped you towards completing your goals?

It's unfortunate when people have to put school on hold simply because of their finances, but Workforce Education helped me tremendously with being able to get my textbooks and being able to go to school full-time so that I could obtain my degree in the shortest time possible.

You already have a foot in the world of work. Can you tell us about your position at Crest Airport?

I am an office assistant at Crest Airpark in Kent, WA. I handle some accounting, minor maintenance on planes, give tests through systems called PSI and Lasergrade, dispatch flights, answer phones, check fuel, and perform tasks on the computer. I do a little bit of everything. I am just a small part of what makes the airport operate.

You're a working parent and a full-time college student--and incredibly successful at it all. What's your secret recipe for balancing so many different responsibilities?

It's hard but I try to manage my time in the best way possible. Sometimes it is difficult, but I do have a very supportive support team that helps me out with the kids so that I can focus on my studies. I am seriously blessed with all the support that I have!

Funding Tip! All four Workforce Education funding programs--BFET, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst--support training in Air Traffic Control at Green River.

Student Success Profile: Santana Hackler

Santana Hackler, Welding Technology Graduate

Today's successful profile features a Q and A with Santana Hackler. Santana is a Workforce Education student who is enrolled in the Welding program at Green River. He's earned multiple certificates and now has his sights set on completing an Associate in Applied Science degree. His welding expertise, mixed with extensive salvage experience and a background in deep-sea diving, will make Santana a triple threat on the job market. He credits Green River's Welding program for its diversity, level of engagement, and its dynamic mix of theory and practice. Check out his story below!

Hi Santana. Thanks for joining us on the blog. What's it like to be a student in the Welding program at Green River?

Santana: Well, being a student here at Green River is a life-changing experience, something that will stay with me for a lifetime. The Welding program has been a real personal challenge that has grown me as a student and as a future employee. The whole Welding program is designed to challenge you on every level of the trade, so anyone can come in and learn how to weld, and understand the processes that employers desire from their well-trained welders. The program, as a whole, is the most inviting and pleasant program I could be involved in at Green River. The diversity of people, the level of engaging welding, and the theory practices within my program have opened many doors of capability and opportunity.

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

Santana: I decided to pursue welding training at Green River because I wanted job security. I put a lot of time and thought into my choice of career field, because the job field was changing due to the economy. After talking with a career adviser at Green River, we found that welding is an area where I have previous skill sets because of my extensive salvage and deep-sea diver training. So, the choice was a natural one, after I had spoken with Professor E. Vessor who took the time to explain how the program worked and what I could expect. From day one, I knew Green River was my ticket to success.

How has Workforce Education helped you towards completing your goals?

Santana: Workforce Education has been a true godsend in helping me realize my dream from start to finish. It brings me to tears knowing there are programs like theirs that can actually help transform people's lives, and give them an opportunity to realize their dreams. From day one, Workforce helped me in the whole process, from Compass testing, and getting into classes, to acquiring equipment to weld with. I owe the success, in all I'm doing at Green River, to Workforce; they gave me a real fighting chance to make a difference for the lives of me and my loved ones. When I think of Workforce, I think of family, because that's how they treated me. And for that, I'm graduating college. The chance I got from Workforce was a chance to change for a lifetime.

You've completed two certificates, and are approaching completion of an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding--congrats! What advice do you have for new students who are thinking about pursuing Welding training at Green River?

Santana: My advice for people who want welding training at Green River would be to approach each day as a new opportunity to add something positive and challenging to your day. Make the most of this opportunity, and the doors that you will open, by undertaking a career in welding, will change your life. Better benefits and rewards in your career will be a direct result of the fact that you chose to change your life by becoming an industry welder.

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

Student Success Profile: Scott Swanberg

Scott Swanberg, Helicopter Pilot

Today's success profile features a Q and A with the-one-and-only Scott Swanberg. Scott is a Workforce Education student who is enrolled in the Helicopter Pilot program at Green River.

Scott comes from a family of pilots, earned his private airplane license at seventeen years of age, has over ten years of aviation experience, and is currently an instructor at Classic Helicopters. As Scott puts it, "flying is in the blood."

A Veteran of the Armed Forces, Scott also brings a wealth of service experience and a strong work ethic to the classroom. He's gearing up to graduate this December. Check out his story below!

Hi Scott. Thanks for joining us on the blog. What's it like to be a student in the Helicopter Pilot program at Green River?

Scott: It's a great opportunity to get the training I need. GRCC instructors are top notch, and I have learned a lot from them despite coming into the program with 10+ years of aviation under my belt. My situation is very atypical, as I entered the program as a flight instructor and am only finishing up my Instrument and Instrument Instructor ratings, but it has still been a great opportunity for me to learn and grow within my field. I am considering sticking with the program and and finishing up my Airplane ratings as well.

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

Scott: I come from a family of many pilots, so I guess it's in my blood. I remember flying at a very young age with my father and I can't imagine doing anything else. I got my airplane private license when I was 17. My first helicopter flight was magical, and I just had to get my add-on rating. The balance of my life has been spent pursuing that dream.

How has your background as a Veteran of the Armed Forces prepared you to succeed at the college level?

Scott: The military was a great experience for me. The discipline, emphasis on maintaining physical fitness, and hard work ethic are positive tools that shape motivated, contributing members of our society. The brotherhood will stay with me forever. Getting out of the service and looking ahead, I am motivated to succeed and know that I can. I see these traits in other Veterans and attribute it to our service experiences. I also think that "growing up" in the service and starting college a little later in life changes priorities. I have a family, and so having the skills and education I need to put food on the table is a priority. I take this very seriously.

You're approaching graduation--congrats! What advice would you have for new students who are thinking about pursuing Helicopter Training at Green River?

Scott: Manage your time! I see others in the program struggling to do this. This program takes a lot of dedication. I am both a student and an instructor at Classic Helicopters, so I can tell you that Green River instructors are all great and are there to help students succeed, but students need to meet us half-way. Stay on top of school obligations and set aside time to fly. Also, take Knowledge Tests (part of the requirement for your FAA rating) early! Procrastination will hold you back at the end and can cause problems. Sometimes I need to follow my own advice! It's easy to get overwhelmed. You just have to grit your teeth and go for it!

Funding Tip! All four Workforce Education funding programs support the Helicopter Pilot program at Green River, including: BFET, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst.

Student Success Profile: John Carnes

Today's student success profile features a brief Q and A with John Carnes. John is a Workforce Education student with passions around design, programming, and creating things with his hands. In a just a few short months, he will complete two certificates in the Aerospace: Principles of Precision Machining program.

Afterwards, he has ambitious plans to transition to the two-year Machining and Manufacturing Technology Associate in Applied Science degree. As he puts it, enrolling at Green River was the "best decision ever!"

Hi John, welcome to the blog.What's it like being a student in the Aerospace: Principles of Precision Machining program at Green River?

John: Don't know where to begin, but the teachers are real hands-on about your lessons, which is great! You do really get back what you put into it, with great opportunities only after the first quarter.

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

John: I've always had a passion for creating things with my hands. I had some background in programming in prior colleges; wanting to create something I can actually see was also a big push towards machining. Best decision ever. Maybe it's the Green River teacher and staff members, but the lessons learned here are worth all the time and effort.

How has Workforce Education helped you towards completing your goals?

John: Without Workforce Education, I don't know where I'd be at. They are currently a big part of my life-changing experience, for the positive of course.

What advice would you have for new students who are interested in pursuing precision machining training at Green River?

John: Hello and welcome. You have made the right choice! Give it all you've got and learn--you will get back more in return before you even know it. Good luck on your pursuit to becoming a machinist.

Funding Tip! The following Workforce Education funding programs support machining training at Green River: BFET, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst.

Image Credit: edmik1.com

Student Success Profile: Jeremy Knapp

Jeremy Knapp and Family

Today's success profile features a Q and A with Jeremy Knapp. Jeremy is a Workforce Education student at Green River who is enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. He turned a job layoff in 2010 into an opportunity to make his dream of becoming an OTA, a reality. Three years of rigorous coursework and late study nights are finally paying off—he graduates this summer, and is gearing up to start a new and rewarding career. Check out his inspirational story of new beginnings.

Hi Jeremy. Thanks for joining us on the blog. What's it like being a student in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Green River?

Jeremy: The OTA program is an intensive 2 year process to prepare you for a rewarding career as a COTA. The coursework is difficult, and there are a lot of late study nights, but I have met some great people along the way, and I'm sad to see it coming to an end. I'm also excited to get started in my new job!

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

Jeremy: I worked in the construction field most of my life. One day on my way home, I was listening to a story on NPR about occupational therapy and physical therapy. They sounded like careers that fit my personality, but I thought I would never have the opportunity to make a career change. When I was laid off from my job as an Operations Manager in 2010, I was given the chance. I decided to turn what could have been a bad thing into an opportunity, and thus began my 3 year journey to make my dream a reality!

How has Workforce Education helped you towards completing your goals?

Jeremy: Workforce Education has been instrumental in my success at Green River. From start to finish, they have been there to answer every question I had and offer help when I needed it. I can say without a doubt: I would not be where I am today without Workforce Education, and for that I am truly thankful.

You're nearing completion of your degree. Congrats! What advice do you have for new students who are thinking about applying for admission to the OTA program at Green River?

Jeremy: I would say if you are an outgoing, positive person who wants to make a difference in another person's life who really needs it, apply to the OTA program at Green River. It will be one of the hardest things you will ever do in your life, but it will also be the most rewarding! 

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

Student Success Profile: Caroline Bellinger

Today's success profile features a Q and A with Caroline Bellinger. Caroline is a Workforce Education student who is preparing to graduate from Green River's rigorous Practical Nursing program. Below, she provides an insightful inside look at what it means to be a nursing student, and discusses her journey of personal growth and professional development.

Hi Caroline. Thanks for joining us on the blog. What's it like being a student in the Practical Nursing program at Green River?

Caroline: As a student in the LPN program at Green River, I have been challenged in ways I never anticipated. It is a very comprehensive, rigorous program. The program has produced students who pass the NCLEX licensing exam  on the first try for three years in a row, which attests to the qualify of the program. But beyond that, it has given me opportunities and expected me to analyze, reflect, and develop my own personal philosophy of what kind of nurse I want to be with respect to communication and leadership in the every-changing environment that is healthcare. I expected and was prepared for a challenging curriculum, but didn't expect the extent of personal growth and development. 

What lead you to pursue training in this field?

Caroline:  I was surplussed after 20 years in my telecom job. One significant factor in selecting this field was the fact that I have a mortgage. I was specifically looking for a field that would pay well enough to support my financial situation. In addition, my parents were in the speech and hearing field, so medical environments feel familiar to me. I have always loved caring for and helping people. The LPN program at Green River was a perfect fit.

How has Workforce Education helped you towards completing your goals?

Caroline: Workforce Education helped me begin my journey, and now in my last quarter, they are helping me again! The department was instrumental in helping me navigate my way through the first quarter while figuring out how to apply for financial aid. They also provided step-by-step assistance in filling out the application for the Training Benefits program offered through the Employment Security Department. They guided me through filling out the application, provided advice, and I'm sure were instrumental in making the application process proceed smoothly. Workforce Education is helping me once again with tuition assistance to get me through the last quarter of my program!

You're nearing completion of the Practical Nursing program. Congrats! What are your future plans?

Caroline: My plans for the future are to take the NCLEX licensing exam as soon as I graduate, get licensed, and then start looking for work. I haven't decided on a specific field yet. There are so many different opportunities. A great thing about Green River's LPN program has been the numerous clinical assignments that not only have given me real life nursing experiences with patients, but also an opportunity to see different work environments and associated nursing tasks. I feel like the world is my oyster!

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

Machine Maintenance with Pat Pritchard

Today's post features a Q and A with Pat "The Machine Doctor" Pritchard. Pat's an instructor in Green River's exciting new Machine Maintenance program. A former Boeing employee, he brings a wealth of industry experience to the college, and has a number of insightful comments to share about the program and the maintenance field in general.

Pat Pritchard

Hi Pat. Thanks for joining us on the blog. To start, can you tell us the story of how you became an instructor at Green River?

Pat: I worked as a mechanic in various industries, ship building, oil refineries, and chemical plants before I ended up in Aerospace with Boeing. Boeing was a fascinating place to work because it offered such great opportunities to learn and grow. I took some personal computing classes at Green River which really changed my career because I was quickly put to work on a variety of computer based machinery. Since computers are a part of more and more machinery everyday, I was very busy. I found  that I enjoyed passing on what I learned to others, and that caused me to move around a lot at Boeing. I eventually ended up as a full-time maintenance instructor at Boeing. I heard that Green River was entering the Maintenance Training arena, so I came down to see what type of program they had in mind. Once I talked with them, we realized I might be the right person to help them build their program. I wasn't looking for a new job, but the idea of starting a brand new program really intrigued me. It has been really hard work but it has also been an awful lot of fun.

Can you provide an overview of the Machine Maintenance program?

Pat: Our classes supply the basic skills and knowledge that are needed to understand and maintain machinery. The best way to think about modern maintenance workers is to think of them as machinery doctors. Just like doctors, we spend part of the time practicing preventative maintenance, and part of the time responding to unexpected problems. Our training program is much like medical school since we start by studying what machines are made of. It is quite different than most other maintenance programs because we do not specialize in any specific type of machinery. We operate on the idea that all machines are devices that use various types of energy.

Can you describe your approach to teaching Machine Maintenance?

Pat: Our class starts with the idea that any machine is simply a device that controls and uses various forms of energy. From the simplest application of mechanical energy on the end of a lever, to the most advanced CNC machine tool, they all use various types of energy to perform work. We study the most commonly used types of energy in class: hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical, for example. Once you understand the energy in a machine, there is not much you can't figure out.

In your opinion, what type of student will be successful in the Machine Maintenance program?

Pat: Curiosity is very important. If you want to know how things work and enjoy solving problems, you will do very well in maintenance. If you're looking for a job in which you do the same thing every day, maintenance is probably not the place for you. In the maintenance world, you are given a task and it is up to you to design the method to solve that problem. We use math often but mostly for proportions and ratios. Reading is an essential skill because you will need to learn new machines and technologies throughout your career. One thing I didn't realize until I started teaching is how much creativity is used in solving the multitude of problems that confronts maintenance workers every day.

Finally, why is the maintenance field a good career choice?

Pat: Most people don't realize that 5 to 10% of the technical workforce is in the maintenance field. People also don't realize it is one of the highest paid jobs in the workforce. When Washington State government leaders asked the Aerospace community how they could help keep work in the Puget Sound, one of the things the Aerospace Industry said was that what they really needed was trained maintenance workers. The Machine Maintenance program at Green River is a direct result of that industry-wide need.

$$$ Tip! Three Workforce Education funding programs support Machine Maintenance training at Green River, including BFET, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst.

Student Success Profile: Jayme Clark

Jayme Clark

Today's success profile features a Q and A with Jayme Clark. Jayme is a Workforce Education student who is wrapping up a Natural Resources degree, with an emphasis in Geographical Information Systems. Her future's looking bright—Jayme graduates this summer, and is going to work for the City of Seattle (where she's been interning since 2012) as an Invasive Species Technician. Check out her story below. 

Hi Jayme. Thanks for joining us on the blog. To start, can you tell us about the degree you're pursuing at Green River?

Jayme: I'm working toward an AAS degree in Natural Resources & GIS (Geographic Information Systems). It's an intensive 2 year degree of 125 credits in Natural Resources and GIS classes. In this program, I've spent a lot of time in the field practicing my technical skills. Those skills have put me in a great position for finding a job and getting started on my new career. I graduate this month—June 2013.

What lead you to pursue training in this field?

Jayme: I'm passionate about the outdoors and love being outside. I also wanted a career where I felt like I could make a difference. The Natural Resources program allowed me to work outside and make a positive impact on nature.

How has Workforce Education helped you towards completing your goals?

Jayme: Workforce Education has been great! I would not have been able to go back to school without them. My experience with them was very positive and I always felt like they cared about helping me. They explained my options for funding college, helped me fill out paperwork, and followed up to make sure I had what I needed to succeed.

You're nearing completion of your degree. Congrats! What are your future plans?

Jayme: I've been very lucky—I have a lot of career options. After one year in the Natural Resources program, I was hired as an Intern for the City of Seattle where I've been since June, 2012. After graduation, I will continue working for the city as an Invasive Species Technician in their municipal watersheds. I really want to say thank you to the staff at Green River, Workforce Education, and my instructors in the Natural Resources program!

$$$ Tip! All four Workforce Education funding programs—BFET, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst—support the Natural Resources-GIS option degree at Green River.

Shelan Aldridge / Neighborhood House

Please welcome to the blog esteemed community partner Shelan Alridge. Shelan is an Adult Education & Employment Manager at Neighborhood House, a non-profit organization in Washington State that has been fighting poverty and creating stronger communities since 1906.

Hi Shelan. Thanks for joining us on the blog. To start, can you give us an overview of your organization?

Shelan: Neighborhood House is a non-profit organization with a mission to help diverse communities of people with limited resources attain their goals for self-sufficiency, financial independence, health and community building. We offer everything from parent home visiting programs, to citizenship classes, to employment programs that help people find jobs.

Who is eligible to apply for services at Neighborhood House?

Shelan: The eligibility for different programs varies, but most services focus on individuals or families that have low or no income.

Are there any specific resources offered through Neighborhood House that you would like to spotlight at this time?

Shelan: Yes! Neighborhood House has employment services in South King County that I'd like to highlight. We're big into education and several of our employment programs support students in different ways while they are going to school / completing training. Some of our programs pay for GED testing fees, while others help connect students to community resources or jobs.

Oftentimes, we see students struggling to find jobs after they complete their training programs. Our skilled and dedicated employment specialists come alongside students to help them develop a targeted resume; train them how to highlight newly-learned skills in an interview; and assist with online job applications and job leads. We use a team approach and have a career developer who develops relationships with employers in their community. We often connect our job seekers to job openings with those employers and advocate on their behalf.

Employment specialists are also able to help students overcome other barriers they may be facing that make completing school or finding a job difficult. At times, it's a housing issue or eviction notice. Or it's the inability to get a job or get to school because of a transportation issue. Once the person qualifies and enrolls, some programs can offer limited support services, such as one time rental assistance, interview clothing, or a bus pass need for job search or vocational training.

If any of your students who are reading this are motivated to work and are interested in enrolling into one of our employment programs, feel free to send me an email. We're a community-based organization, so it doesn't cost anything to enroll. I'll be happy to connect them to one of our employment specialists who can do an assessment to see if they qualify.

Shelan Aldridge is an Adult Education & Employment Manager with Neighborhood House. She can be reached at shelana@nhwa.org. For more information about Neighborhood House, you can also visit nhwa.org.  

Updated Training Benefits Application

If you're currently receiving unemployment benefits in Washington State, and are interested in attending a local community / technical college to update your skills or to retrain for a new occupation, you'll definitely want to get your hands on a Training Benefits application. Why? Because you have to get permission to go to school from the Employment Security Department. Filling out a Training Benefits application is one way of doing just that.

We last discussed Training Benefits in an earlier post, wwwaaaaayyy back in 2010. Since the Employment Security Department  recently updated the application, now seems like a great time to review the subject.

First, let's define our terms. When a person fills out a Training Benefits application, (s)he is asking the Employment Security Department for two things: Training Benefits (TB) and Commissioner Approved Training (CAT). This is why the application is sometimes casually referred to as a TB/CAT application.

As defined by the Employment Security Department, Training Benefits are "extra weeks of [unemployment] benefits after regular unemployment benefits and any federally funded programs have run out." More weeks of unemployment, in other words, designed to kick in on the backend, after regular benefits and federal extensions have been exhausted.

Commissioner Approved Training is exactly what it sounds like: Approval for Training, from the Commissioner of the Employment Security Department.  Permission to go to school, in other words, as well as permission to suspend the job-search requirement that claimants typically adhere to.

The Training Benefits application, itself, is only nine pages long, but requires some work to complete because it asks for information about: your previous occupation; the degree or certificate program you intend to enroll in; future jobs you will be qualified to fill once you've finished the degree / certificate; as well as information about your current availability for work.

Have specific questions about Training Benefits or Commissioner Approved Training? Go to your local WorkSource employment center or call the Employment Security Department's Training Benefits hotline at 1-877-600-7701.