Prof Tech Profile #9: Design Drafting Technology

Today's Prof Tech Profile is on the Design Drafting Technology program and features a brief Q and A with esteemed faculty member Felix Serna.

Hi Felix. Thanks for joining us on the Go 2 College Free Blog. Green River offers a broad range of professional technical programs. Why Design Drafting Technology?

FELIX: Virtually everything you see that is man made, from the roads you drive to every object you have in your possession, required someone to visualize it before it became a reality. The Design Drafting Technology profession is involved in the process of having that dream through its fruition. Members of this profession may develop a virtual model of the object, assembly, or system and then create the documentation (drawings) required for the manufacturers or builders to produce. The Puget Sound area has quite an abundance of manufacturing, engineering & design firms, not to mention governmental bodies that also utilize this profession.

In your opinion, what type of person is a good fit for the Design Drafting Technology program at GRCC?

FELIX: Anyone who has a desire to see their visions become a reality, who loves to draw, and enjoys working with people.

There's a variety of Design Drafting Technology-related degrees and certificates to choose from. How can prospective students interested in DDT determine what degree or certificate pathway is best for them?

FELIX: We recommend that they schedule an appointment with Felix Serna (me) or Terry Waagan to discuss the different options available.

What jobs will training in Design Drafting Technology prepare students for?

FELIX: There are a multitude of different directions our training will take you. I would recommend that they view our drafting video on our website to see the various disciplines that they may end up working in.

Funding Update! The following Workforce Education funding programs support Design Drafting Technology at GRCC: Worker Retraining, BFET, and WorkFirst.

Resource Connection

Workforce Education is in the business of helping students find money to pay for school. But the thing is, many of the students we meet and talk with need more than just money for school. They might also need help putting food on the table, finding transportation to and from campus, or finding low-cost housing. They might need childcare assistance, help finding a part-time survival job, counseling services, or even new set of clothes. In short, students oftentimes need help pulling together multiple resources to meet their most basic needs.

We've been thinking about how to respond to what we've seen and heard, and so as a way to connect students up with resources related to food assistance, housing, transportation, childcare, and the like, Workforce Education will begin hosting weekly "resource connection" appointments. These informal appointments are available to Green River students or to prospective Green River students, and they are designed to help students access resources that will help them meet their basic needs.

While Workforce Education staff members can't guarantee immediate resolution to problems surrounding basic needs, we can draw from our collective expertise to connect students up with relevant programs and community agencies that might be able to help. To sign up for a short resource connection appointment, call the Workforce Education front desk at 253-833-9111 ext 2211.

Trade Adjustment Assistance

Knowledge is power. You have the power to earn that degree or certificate if you know where the free grant money is to pay for it, and that's precisely where the Workforce Education Office at Green River comes into the picture. We're here to help you find free money to help you pay for school. We're your resource connection.

There are lots of grant programs at Green River and in the surrounding community in place to help students pay for school. There's Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant, WorkFirst, and BFET (the four programs administered by the team here in Workforce Education). There's also Federal Financial Aid, WIA funds, Green River Foundation scholarships, as well as scholarships offered on thewashboard.org.

Yet another possible source of funding is Trade Adjustment Assistance, which is unique in terms of the depth and breadth of support it can offer qualifying students. Benefits through this federally funded program may include fully funded training at a community college, a health care subsidy, weekly income support, funding for out-of-area job searches, funding to relocate for suitable employment, and a wage subsidy for older workers.

Trade Adjustment Assistance is typically available to workers whose employer moved production outside the USA; outsourced jobs outside the USA; imported from foreign suppliers; competed with foreign companies; or experienced a change in customer supply due to foreign competition.

To learn more visit taa-washington.org. At this site you can read about Trade Adjustment Assistance in detail and determine your eligibility for benefits. You can also call 1-866-TAA-3399 or ask to speak with a Trade Act counselor at your local WorkSource affiliate.

Workforce Investment Act Funding

As we've stated in earlier posts here and here, our philosophy in Workforce Education is simple: If you need help paying for school, create options for yourself by applying for as many different funding programs as possible.

For example, when new students approach our office to apply for Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant, WorkFirst, or BFET funds, we also help them identify and apply for additional funding programs on campus or in the community. Some of those additional funding programs include Federal Financial Aid, Green River Foundation scholarships, or scholarships offered on thewashboard.org.

Another possible source of funding includes Workforce Investment Act funds, or "WIA" funds, for short. In many cases, WIA funds can pay for two quarters worth of tuition, fees, and books, so they are definitely worth applying for. These funds are typically available to those who are either collecting Unemployment Insurance benefits or who have exhausted Unemployment Insurance benefits, or to underemployed / low-income adults.

And applying is easy! Call 253-833-9111 ext 2211 to make an appointment with a WIA representative on Green River's main campus. If setting up an appointment on campus doesn't fit your schedule, you can also apply for WIA funds by attending a "Job Search and Training Resources Workshop" at your local WorkSource Affiliate. If you choose the workshop route, be sure to visit a WorkSource in the county you live in.

Prof Tech Profile #8: Administrative Assistant

Today's Prof Tech Profile is on the Administrative Assistant Program and features a brief Q and A with esteemed faculty member Tonya McCabe (we interviewed Tonya in an earlier post on the Business Applications Specialist Program, which you can read here).

Hi Tonya. Welcome back to the blog. To start, can you give us a short overview of the Adminstrative Assistant Program at GRCC?

Tonya: The Administrative Assistant Program offers students an opportunity to develope essential skills in their area of interest, as well as a comprehensive general education.

What type of person might be a good fit for the Adminstrative Assistant Program at GRCC?

Tonya: Students who wish to work in a professional office setting in an administrative support position would be a good fit for the Administrative Assistant Program at GRCC.

What jobs will training in this field prepare students for?

Tonya: Students who successfully complete the Administrative Assistant degree often find employment in entry and mid-level office support positions depending on their experience and skill set.

Finally, how can prospective students learn more about the Administrative Assistant Program at GRCC?

Tonya: Students can contact a Business Ed faculty member or read about the program by clicking here.

FUNDING TIP! All four Workforce Education funding programs - Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant, BFET, and WorkFirst - support the Administrative Assistant Program at GRCC.

Prof Tech Profile #7: Carpentry Technology

Today's Prof Tech Profile is on the Carpentry Technology Program and features a brief Q and A with esteemed faculty member Glen Martin.

Hi Glen. Welcome to the Go 2 College Free blog. GRCC offers a wide variety of Professional Technical training programs. Why Carpentry Technology?

Glen: Like all other Prof Tech programs, Carpentry Technology is here to provide training for students who want to be employed in the field of residential carpenters as well as provide training for anyone in the community that wants to learn how to build a home or remodel a home.

In your opinion, what type of person is a good fit for the Carpentry Technology Program at GRCC?

Glen: Anyone who is creative, artistic, has a great eye for detail and loves working with their hands as well as their mind. In addition, a person who enjoys working outdoors and likes to face unique challenges on a daily basis.

GRCC offers several different training pathways in Carpentry Technology, from a two-year degree to a variety of shorter-term certificates. How can prospective students figure out what pathway is best for them?

Glen: I meet individually with students to find out exactly where they would like to be in 3 - 5 years and with that information can advise students on what carpentry certificates and / or degree to work towards. Each certificate relates to a specific phase of residential construction from foundations to finish work. Ideally a student with no prior experience should try and earn all certificates, but those who already have experience can choose which certificates they would like to work on.

Finally, what jobs does training in this field prepare students for?

Glen: Carpenter (of course), general or specialty contractors, vendors and / or suppliers for construction materials, project managers, project superintendents, designer / builders, building maintenance, architects, home inspectors, building inspectors, and construction consultants.

FUNDING TIP! The following Workforce Education funding programs support Carpentry Technology at GRCC: Worker Retraining, BFET, and WorkFirst.

Prof Tech Profile #6: Business Applications Specialist

Today's Prof Tech Profile is on the Business Applications Specialist Program and features a brief Q and A with esteemed faculty member Tonya McCabe.

Hi Tonya. Thanks for joining us on the Go 2 College Free blog. Green River offers a broad range of professional technical programs. Why Business Applications Specialist?

TONYA: The Business Applications Specialist degree offers students an opportunity to develop essential business skills in their area of interest, as well as a comprehensive general education.

In your opinion, what type of person is a good fit for the Business Applications Specialist Program at GRCC?

TONYA: Students who wish to work in a professional, office setting and who enjoy working on projects or tasks that require web design, customer service, and / or advanced computer skills would be a good fit for the Business Applications Specialist program at GRCC.

What jobs will training in this field prepare students for?

TONYA: Students who successfully complete the Business Applications Specialist degree often find employment in a wide range of positions including Project Coordinators, Office Support Specialists, and Executive Assistants depending on their experience and skill set.

Last of all, how can prospective students learn more about the Business Applications Specialist Program at GRCC?

TONYA: Students can contact a Business Ed faculty member or read more about the program by clicking here.

FUNDING TIP! All four Workforce Education funding programs - Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant, BFET, and WorkFirst - support the Business Applications Specialist Program at GRCC.

Fall Is Here!

Fall is here and campus is once again bustling with activity. The start of the quarter carries along with it the usual rush of finalizing class schedules and squaring away funding arrangements. But the quarter's start also carries along with it a rich sense of possibility and the promise of reaching new intellectual horizons.

While we're only two weeks into fall, Workforce Education is already setting its sites on the upcoming winter quarter. Specifically, we are gearing up to host another round of Go 2 College Free funding workshops from October 18th through November 8th. Students new to Green River and in need of funding for the winter quarter can visit go2collegefree.com to sign up for a workshop.

Benefits Of Basic Food

According to a recent article on NPR.org, Basic Food (food stamp) use is up 70 percent over the past four years. The spike in Basic Food use is a result of a combination of factors: high rates of unemployment, rising prices, stagnant wages, as well as the home foreclosure crisis. Admittedly, times are tough.

While Basic Food use is on the rise, there still might be folks out there who aren't familiar with this particular safety net service and the benefits that go along with it. Today's post is for those folks as it will cover the benefits of Basic Food.

Obviously, one of the key benefits to Basic Food is a monthly sum to buy food at participating grocery stores. The monthly benefit comes in the form of an EBT card (pictured right) and depends, among other things, on your household size, your income, and your living expenses. According to DSHS, the average monthly benefit for qualifying households in 2010 was about $245. 

Along with the monthly benefit to buy groceries, Basic Food might also help you access a myriad of ancillary resources and support services including:

• Tuition assistance through the BFET Program at Green River Community College
• Childcare assistance through the Working Connections Childcare subsidy at DSHS  
• Enrollment of school-age children in free or reduced meal programs
• Discounted telephone service through the Washington Telephone Assistance Program
• Discounted wireless phone service through AT&T's Lifeline and LinkUp Service

The benefits to Basic Food are many, so if you're having trouble paying bills or buying groceries this month, apply online at foodhelp.wa.gov. The application process is relatively quick and easy, plus it includes no asset test, which means you can own a home, own a car, have money in the bank or a retirement plan to your name, and still be eligible for Basic Food.

Advice For Online Learners

The subject of what makes for a successful online learning experience is one we've addressed in a number of posts here on the Go 2 College Free blog. It's definitely one that is worthy of further reflection.  Today's post is more of the same but from the perseptive of blogger Joshua Kim.

In a recent Inside Higher Ed article entitled "Your Advice For Online Learners," Kim talks about the main things students should keep in mind when they decide to take an online class or a hybrid class (which blends online and face-to-face formats).  Specifically, he highlights 7 Keys To Success for online learners. Below you can find a thumbnail sketch of each Key.
 
1.  Make a schedule.  Kim observes that most online courses require a significant amount of hourly work each week and that, as such, it is important to distribute this workload evenly throughout the week as opposed to cramming on the weekend (tempting as it may seem).  "Block out time," writes Kim, "that you reserve each day devoted to your online course." 

2.  Collaboration is key.  According to Kim, the success of an online course depends largely on the quality of feedback and participation of the course's students. "Strive to be present," says Kim, "and involved in the online environment."  Students will take from the class only as much as they put in. 

3.  Don't be perfect.  At first glance this key to success might sound a bit counterintuitive.  Here, Kim simply recommends that we should priviledge getting work done and submitting it in a timely manner over submitting work late because we're trying to get it done flawlessly.

4.  Demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills.  A common, but true, piece of advice.  "Leadership," writes Kim, "is about doing whatever you can to make the course and program successful for everyone." The Golden Rule reiterated.

5.  Be flexible and positive.  Kim observes that taking an online course is a marathon, not a sprint.  It's important to pace yourself and to remain calm if you experience barriers along the way (like a computer crashing or any other technology failure - it's bound to happen eventually).    

6.  Proactively communicate.  Similar to Key number 2.  Here, Kim recommends communicating proactively with the course instructor and fellow online students, especially if you have a question or are unclear on the requirements of an assignment or project.
 
7.  Enjoy yourself.   Sometimes we get so bogged down with assignments and stressed out that we lose sight of the bigger picture.  Keep in mind, urges Kim, that the ability and opportunity to partcipate in higher education is a gift.  We're bettering ourselves.  (There's also the fact that online courses allow students to learn from the comfort of home on their own timetable - enjoy it!).