Making the Connection to a New Career: An Interview with Mazen Akkam,
Career Program Facilitator and Professor, Information Technology
Program
Sheryl Crow’s catchy lyrics “A change would do you good” would make an apt
motto for successful Information Technology professionals. For those in a
field driven by ever-evolving technology, embracing change—and thriving on
it—is critical to both job satisfaction and success. In this issue of
Career Links, meet a dedicated IT professional who finds the thrill of
living on the technological edge irresistible: Mazen Akkam, full-time
professor and career program facilitator of JCCC’s IT program. Read on
to learn about how JCCC’s IT program is providing students with the latest
knowledge and skills to flourish in this constantly changing profession.
Building a Case for a New Career: An Interview with Anita Tebbe,
Career Program Facilitator and Professor, Paralegal Program
Have you been riveted by the latest legal dramas on Law and Order and
Boston Legal, imagining yourself interviewing those witnesses and
preparing their cases? If so, JCCC’s paralegal program may be a good fit
for you. Although you probably won’t end up on television, you could end
up with a challenging and rewarding career in one of the legal
profession’s key roles. As critical behind-the-scenes players in the
legal field, paralegals use their analytical, organization, and
communication skills as they interview clients, conduct legal research,
and draft documents. Learn more about the paralegal field and JCCC’s
program from Anita Tebbe, career program facilitator and full-time
professor, in this edition of Career Links.
Responding in a New Career: An Interview with Denny Kurogi, Assistant
Dean, Emergency Medical Science
Put yourself in this scene:
You are just arriving at work, fighting the morning traffic. Luckily, you
glide into a parking space in front of the Student Center, and since it’s
12 minutes after 8:00 on a Wednesday morning, you realize that it’s going
to be a good day… As you lock your car and wave your hellos to your
co-workers, you are gripped with pain in your left arm, your chest, and
you feel like you can’t breathe. Slumping in the parking lot, you realize
that you possibly might be having a heart attack. Fortunately, someone in
the parking lot near you has seen your struggle and has already called 911
on their cell phone. Even though it seems like hours, within minutes an
ambulance arrives and the calming, gentle voice of a young EMS
professional speaks to you, telling you her name and that she is there to
take care of you. Like a well-oiled machine, the three paramedics in the
ambulance go to work, silently but efficiently, and in a matter of minutes
you are on your way to a nearby hospital. Their excellent, professional
medical care has made all the difference, and when you return home to
recover, you ask yourself, “Whom should I thank?” Most likely your
paramedic graduated from JCCC’s Emergency Medical Science program under
the direction of Denny Kurogi. The Career Services Center is proud to
bring you the May edition of “Career Links”—Denny’s story of how a bloody
nose and a hospital visit brought him into the field of EMS, and
indirectly into many lives of Johnson Countians.
Nurturing a New Career: An Interview with Jeanne Walsh, Assistant Dean,
Nursing Program
Little do most of us realize, the success and increased growth of the
nursing profession not only at JCCC but in other areas of the mid-west can
be linked back to a squirrel in Olney, Illinois many years ago. This month
Career Links and the Career Services Center are happy to bring you the
story of Jeanne Walsh, Assistant Dean of the Nursing Program, whose
encounter with a “dead” squirrel pointed her in the direction of her
profession, and subsequently affected the lives of many more nurses and
patients.
The Art of a New Career: An Interview with Stephanie Sabato, Assistant
Professor and Career Program Facilitator, Graphics Design
Program
Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist; the problem is how to
remain an artist once he grows up.” Long ago a little girl fell in love
with art watching the artists in her family build, paint, photograph and
create. Her little line drawings that her grandmother lovingly kept in her
prayer book were the beginnings of a gifted artist, who would one day
study and develop her passion at the Kansas City Art Institute.
Eventually she would find her way to JCCC to serve students and faculty in
the Graphic Arts program. This month Career Links is happy to bring
you the story of this talented artist and Career Program Facilitator,
Stephanie Sabato. Read about Stephanie’s life path as an artist,
professor and leader.
The Signs of a New Career: An Interview with Stacey Storme, Career
Program Facilitator and Assistant Professor, Interpreter Training
Program
Have you ever been able to talk and listen at the same time? Few people
can successfully accomplish a difficult task such as this, but sign
language interpreters do it every day. Their hands always a step behind
what is spoken, interpreters serve as a bridge, linking the worlds of the
hearing and deaf. This month read about the interesting career path of
Stacey Storme, career program facilitator and assistant professor for the
Interpreter Training Program, how she grew up in a bi-lingual home, and
the growing career of interpretation for the deaf. Find out how JCCC is
helping to bridge the communication gap through interpreter training.
Two Who Teach Teachers: An Interview with Ruth Slesser, Ph.D., Chair,
Early Childhood Education, and Sara McElhenny, M.S., Program Director,
Hiersteiner Child Development Center
Bill Vaughn once said, "A three-year-old child is a being who gets almost
as much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings as it does out of
finding a small green worm." No one knows the reality of this quote more
than the parents and teachers of young children. The May issue of Career
Links is pleased to feature Dr. Ruth Slesser, Chair of the Early Childhood
Education program, and Sara McElhenny, Program Director of the Hiersteiner
Child Development Center. After spending time with Ruth and Sara, you
will come away with a new appreciation for why JCCC has one of the best
Early Childhood Education programs and child development centers in the
state of Kansas and United States. No one has yet fully realized the
wealth of sympathy, kindness, and generosity hidden in the soul of a
child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that
treasure- Emma Golmam
Creating a New Career: An Interview with Donna Duffey, Career Program
Facilitator, Business Entrepreneurship
Papa John's Pizza. Mrs. Field's Cookies. J.C. Penney. What do they all
have in common? They all started with a dream, a passion, an idea and a
person with a "can-do" spirit, imagination, and the mindset of "find a
need and fill it." A true entrepreneur. The April issue of Career Links
is pleased to feature Donna Duffey, professor and career program
facilitator of JCCC's Business Entrepreneurship program. Learn what
characteristics a successful entrepreneur has and how our program is
making a difference in our community.
A Choice to Serve--A Career as a Firefighter: An Interview with Bill
Benjamin,Career Program Facilitator, Fire Services Administration
What do you think it would it be like to live with those you work with?
To come to work every day knowing that you might pull people out of a
fire-engulfed home, rescue a family from a serious car accident on the
highway, or respond to any number of emergencies and critical situations?
For Bill Benjamin, it's just another day's work. The life and work of a
firefighter is like none other. Read February's issue of Career Links to
get a better understanding of the career of a firefighter and how JCCC's
Fire Services Administration program can potentially affect your life and
the lives of those you love.
The Mechanics of a New Career: An Interview with Richard Fort,
Associate Professor and Career Program Facilitator, Automotive
Technology
Think about your automobile, and how important it is to keep it in good
working order. When you take your car in for a repair, do you consider
the person who will be working on your vehicle? Did you know that in
addition to receiving an education in automotive repair, this technician
has most likely invested literally thousands of dollars in his or her own
tools so that your car and others will run smoothly? The November issue
of Career Links features Richard Fort, Associate Professor and Career
Program Facilitator of JCCC’s Automotive Technology Program. After
reading “The Mechanics of a New Career,” not only will you come away with
an idea about what skills it takes to be a quality automotive technician,
but you will know the “nuts and bolts” about Richard’s interesting career
path which brought him here to JCCC.
Designing a New Career: An Interview with Jan Cummings, Professor and
Career Facilitator, Interior Design
Whether designing a room, a career, or your life, there are certain
aspects of the process that are the same, such as education, planning and
creativity. This month in Career Links, our feature article is about Jan
Cummings, professor and career program facilitator for the Interior Design
department. Read about how Jan's interests in her field started back when
she was a child. Find out about interior design and what skills and
personal characteristics people need to be successful. You will enjoy
reading about Jan and the interesting path she took which led her to JCCC.
A Career Where Beauty is Skin Deep: An Interview with Tama Veltri,
Assistant Professor, Esthetics
If you need a stress break or simply want to know more about the field of
esthetics or cosmetology, check out this career biography about JCCC's
Tama Veltri, Assistant Professor of Esthetics. You'll relax just reading
about the experience of getting a facial. Tama speaks about her interest
in the field, the JCCC Esthetics program, the employment outlook for
estheticians, and gives us a much better understanding of yet another of
JCCC's hidden treasures!
Firing Up a New Career: An Interview with Richard Rowe, Professor and
Career Program Facilitator, Metal Fabrication (Welding)
Did you ever think that an experience as a six-year-old could have a major
impact on your career choice? Read about Richard Rowe's amazing career
journey and get some important information about the Metal Fabrication
(welding) program at JCCC. You don't want to miss this career interview!
Cultivating a New Career: An Interview with Donna Salkil,
Adjunct
Assistant Professor
of Horticulture and
Greenhouse Technician
If you’ve ever thought about a career in horticulture, are interested in
the history of JCCC’s greenhouse and new Horticulture Science Center, or
want to read a great biographical account of how someone turned their
passion into a career, read this interview with Donna Salkill. You don’t
want to miss Donna’s account of her career path and the information she
provides you with about the horticulture program. She’s planted a seed
and the results have bloomed all over JCCC’s campus!
Savor the Taste of a New Career: An Interview with Lindy Robinson,
Assistant Dean, Hospitality, Fashion and Interior Design
Have
you ever thought about the rigors of being a chef or a food and beverage
manager at a major hotel? Do you know about the possible careers in the
hospitality industry? Check out this interview with assistant dean of
JCCC’s Hospitality Management program, Lindy Robinson.
NOTE: Lindy Robinson is now the dean for the Business Division at
JCCC.
Breathing Life into a New Career: An Interview with Clarissa Craig,
M.A., R.R.T, Assistant Dean, Respiratory Care
Respiratory therapists help patients breathe--a precious gift of life. In
an interview with Career Services Center's Kit Gorrell, Clarissa Craig
discusses the many employment opportunities available and the strong job
market for respiratory therapists. Learn about the admissions
requirements for the JCCC Respiratory Care Program.
Growing a New Career in Biotechnology: An Interview with Dr. Luanne
Wolfgram JCCC Assistant Professor of Life Science, Biotechnology
Program
Learn about the new JCCC Biotechnology Program and employment
opportunities in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. In an interview with
the Career Services Center’s Kit Gorrell, Dr. Wolfgram offers tips if you
are considering this field of study.
Enter to Learn,Go Forth to Serve: An Interview with Dr. Jerry Wolfskill,
Academic Director of JCCC's Regional Police Academy
This month, in recognition of the importance of law enforcement, we
feature Dr. Jerry Wolfskill and the JCCC Regional Police Academy. Read
about Dr. Wolfskill's rise up the ranks in the police profession. Learn
from his experiences and advice in this interview with the Career Services
Center's Kit Gorrell.
