Looking for a career change at BCC
While the economy is slowly turning around, many people are beginning to look for new career options; leaving the jobs they took for the sake of employment to now pursue a career that they want. But for many college is either too expensive, scheduling is too difficult or the college doesn’t offer coursework in careers that interest them. That is where the Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia steps in, offering 15 full-time programs, such as cosmetology, automotive technician or dental assisting. On Tuesday, Jan. 24, Buckeye Career Center held an open house for perspective students, and more than 150 people took part in the open house to explore new career possibilities.
“This open house was one of two of these adult education open houses we hold each year. It was a way for people who are interested in a change of careers see what we have to offer,” said Erin VanFossen, assistant director of adult education at Buckeye Career Center. “The open house allowed those interested in attending Buckeye Career Center a chance to learn about the full-time programs we offer, discover financial aid options, and to meet some of the faculty members who teach the courses. Usually half of those who have attended our open houses in the past have joined the adult education program.
“The adult education program is geared toward those who have graduated high school and are looking for training in a specific career. The average age of those who take part in the program varies, but it’s usually in the early to mid thirties. But we have people from all ages take part, from recent high school graduates to people in their fifties and sixties.”
“I recently lost my job, so I thought it would be a good time to explore new career opportunities,” said Seth Moore, of New Philadelphia, who attended the open house. “I’m interested in the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy (OPOTA) program. It seemed the most interesting to me. I chose to look at Buckeye [Career Center] because it’s less expensive than college and if I change my mind later about what I want to do, it won’t be as much as going to college again.”
“Most people think Buckeye [Career Center] only offers classes for high school students, but in fact our adult education program is over twice as large as our high school program,” said VanFossen. “Each of our adult education classes requires an externship, a volunteer program at one of our business partners where you put your skills to use. That means each year we have roughly 2,000 places for our students to go and demonstrate what they have learned.
“All of our adult education programs have been created with input from advisory boards that has members from our local business community on them. This means our programs meet the needs of our local businesses. Combine that with our 90-98 percent job placement rate, and it makes sense to come here [Buckeye Career Center] to get what you need to change your career.”
“This open house was one of two of these adult education open houses we hold each year. It was a way for people who are interested in a change of careers see what we have to offer,” said Erin VanFossen, assistant director of adult education at Buckeye Career Center. “The open house allowed those interested in attending Buckeye Career Center a chance to learn about the full-time programs we offer, discover financial aid options, and to meet some of the faculty members who teach the courses. Usually half of those who have attended our open houses in the past have joined the adult education program.
“The adult education program is geared toward those who have graduated high school and are looking for training in a specific career. The average age of those who take part in the program varies, but it’s usually in the early to mid thirties. But we have people from all ages take part, from recent high school graduates to people in their fifties and sixties.”
“I recently lost my job, so I thought it would be a good time to explore new career opportunities,” said Seth Moore, of New Philadelphia, who attended the open house. “I’m interested in the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy (OPOTA) program. It seemed the most interesting to me. I chose to look at Buckeye [Career Center] because it’s less expensive than college and if I change my mind later about what I want to do, it won’t be as much as going to college again.”
“Most people think Buckeye [Career Center] only offers classes for high school students, but in fact our adult education program is over twice as large as our high school program,” said VanFossen. “Each of our adult education classes requires an externship, a volunteer program at one of our business partners where you put your skills to use. That means each year we have roughly 2,000 places for our students to go and demonstrate what they have learned.
“All of our adult education programs have been created with input from advisory boards that has members from our local business community on them. This means our programs meet the needs of our local businesses. Combine that with our 90-98 percent job placement rate, and it makes sense to come here [Buckeye Career Center] to get what you need to change your career.”
Published: January 25, 2012
