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Student Profiles
Kristen Richardson
Kristen Richardson worked 17 years in customer service for national companies, dot-com start ups, and as a vice president over customer service for a software company. But after she was laid off, she lost three potential management jobs because she did not have a college degree. “That kind of made it very clear to me that I had to do something,” said Richardson, a high school dropout who later received her diploma and GED. “Even if I did find a job, I didn’t want to do entry level work for the rest of my life.” Two years later, in May 2009, Richardson graduated with an Associate’s degree in computer information technology from Bluegrass Community and Technical College. She will transfer to Eastern Kentucky University in the fall. She hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science interactive multimedia. “I don’t think there was really any better option to move me back into the workforce and into a new career path,” said Richardson, 37. Because she became unemployed through a layoff, Richardson got financial assistance through the Workforce Investment Act to attend college. Enrolling at BCTC was a clear choice. She was attracted to the smaller classes, affordable tuition, and the quality education she would get from professors who have extensive real-world experience. “I’ve taken classes with people who are legends in the Mac world; I’ve taken classes with people who have done huge system migrations for fortune 50 companies,” Richardson said. “The level of instructors is in far in excess of anything I could have ever dreamed of.” Richardson credits her BCTC instructors for guiding her to future career. She started in the network administrator program, but her professors encouraged her to look into computer programming. “Without BCTC, I probably wouldn’t have found my ambition to be a programmer,” Richardson said. “In the time that I’ve been here, I’ve been able to focus myself and come to a decision about what I want to do versus what I have to do to keep a roof over my head.” She is certain she could immediately get a job with her associate’s degree, and with that confidence, she is excited for her future. “I’ll be the next old lady writing the next World of Warcraft, that’s my ambition,” she said with a smile. “I’m actually excited about what’s coming. It’s been two years since I had a job, but I know one is coming and I know it‘s going to be one, in the first time in my life, that I like and I‘m good at. And that’s all BCTC, and that’s strictly been given to me by coming here.” Troy and Caleb Estes
It’s only natural for father and son, Troy and Caleb Estes, to have friendly competitions. It’s that ambitious drive that has led them to the classroom. “I thought, if he (Caleb) wants to do this, I’ll finish mine,” Troy said, and he added with a smile: “It was a push, I guess. I can’t let him out do me. I can’t be this close and let him be my boss one day, I got to beat that.” Also, the convenient location of the Advanced Manufacturing Center made it easier for Troy to go back to college. The campus is minutes away from the Estes’ Scott County home. BCTC will build a Georgetown-Scott County Campus building at the Lane’s Run Business Park off Cynthiana Road; part of the building will be the Advanced Manufacturing Center, an area that will simulate a factory floor where students will learn cutting-edge manufacturing skills. “If this was not available here, I don’t know if I would be here doing this,” Troy said. “You can talk about it, and then you can do it,” said Caleb about classroom and lab work. Troy has been able to work with the latest industrial maintenance technology at the Advanced Manufacturing Center. “One thing about this particular trade, you have to stay on top of the technology or you become a dinosaur if you don’t,” Troy said. “You’ll eventually work into a niche and you’ll get comfortable, but you’ll gather dust.” Troy doesn’t see the friendly competition with his son ending after they graduate – Troy hopes to push his son to get a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Caleb doesn’t mind the pressure. “Going to school here has greatly influenced me to keep going to further my education,” Caleb said. “All the classes are enjoyable and the instructors are enjoyable, and I really enjoy learning.” Lindsey Lee
Lindsey Lee wanted to go to college for two reasons: one doesn’t like homework, and the other doesn’t yet know how to read. Her 7-year-old son and her 3-year-old daughter inspired her to better her life. Lindsey obtained a GED after she dropped out of high school when she first became pregnant. She supported her family as a single mother, only finding work in fast food or retail. After encouragement from a friend, Lindsey enrolled in Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC). She will graduate in Spring 2010 with an associate’s degree in environmental science. Her experience at BCTC has helped her discover a passion for the environment. But most of all, it has helped her be a better role model for her children. “Without school, I don’t think I could ever provide for them the way that I should be,” Lindsey said. The community college setting has been accommodating to a non-traditional student like Lindsey. She was attracted to BCTC’s smaller classes, the diversity of her peers, and professors taking the time to help her learn and understanding that she also has to take care of her family’s needs. At BCTC, Lindsey had the flexibility to take a variety of courses before discovering her new found calling as an advocate for the environment. She took an introduction to geography class and learned about different cultures and the impact each culture has on each other. “When I saw environmental science, I thought that’s what I want to do, that’s how I can help a person, that’s how I can contribute to the world,” she said. Even with a subject as complex as environmental science, her professors presented information in terms she is able to understand, Lindsey said. Her professors have encouraged her to get involved in extracurricular activities that benefit environmental causes, like participating in the BCTC community garden and annual BCTC Peace Fair. She has been an advocate for recycling as a student representative for the BCTC Sustainability Committee. Her associate’s degree from BCTC will give her a solid foundation to continue onto obtain a bachelor’s degree. “I feel I learned a lot of things that will help with other classes and other situations I will be in,” she said. “Taking classes here have made me more prepared for life in general.” In addition to getting an education, she hopes her college experience will also inspire her children. Lindsey’s young son has been more interested in helping the environment. Lindsey also hopes her young daughter will also “go to college no matter what is going on in her life, and enjoy it and finish.” Charles Berry
During most of his time in high school, Charles Berry wasn’t planning on going to college. But a “boot camp” kicked him into high gear –as in working with big motors, electrical controls, program logic control and hydraulics. After attending the weeklong High School Manufacturing Boot Camp, Berry, now 20, received a scholarship to the Bluegrass Community and Technical College industrial maintenance program. “The road I was going on – I wasn’t going to go to college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Berry said. “I did a big turnaround in one week just because of a bootcamp.” He took most of his courses at the Advanced Technology Center in Georgetown. The classes were small, which meant he had more one-on-one time with the instructor. Also, the location was convenient because it is close to his Scott County home. “I could have a steady job while I was in Georgetown and then come from work to school,” he said. The hands-on training he received was invaluable, he said. Most of his instructors had experience in the field and “know what we are expected to know,” Berry said. Berry also liked how he received hands-on training early in the program. If he was in a four year program, he may get work experience until his senior year of college, he said. He plans to graduate with an associate’s degree at the end of the 2009 summer semester. “In a way it helps you get in and out the door, but you got to work at it to meet the two-year degree program,” Berry said. “So it’s pretty good if you want to get in and out and get a job quick, it’s beneficial.” It’s that accessibility that Berry appreciates about BCTC. “They were willing to let people come if they want to learn,” he said. “It never crossed my mind that I wanted to do this until (I went to) the boot camp.” |
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