mott community college winter 2012 volume 2 issue 2 community college winter 2012 volume 2 issue 2...

Mott Community College Winter 2012 Volume 2 Issue 2

Advanced Machining Opens New Career Opportunities

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Social Work Careers allow you to help others

Jobs are available for workers trained in computer skills

Exciting Careers in Marketing and Business

Management

Growth in Fitness Careers

Campus LifeIMA Tribute to MCC President ShainkOn October 25, the IMA Recreation Association held a tribute to MCC President Dick Shaink at its 10th Annual Community Salute at IMA Brookwood Golf & Banquet Center. Those paying tribute to Dr. Shaink included Bishop Ron Knox, IMA President Jeff Sabolish, business leader Phil Shaltz, Community Foundation CEO Kathi Horton, MCC Board Chair Lenore Croudy and MCC vice presidents Dr. Amy Fugate and Scott Jenkins. The event was a fundraiser for the IMA youth recreation programs.

MCC Offers New AFA DegreeMott Community College has been known for the strength of its Fine Arts program for decades. For the first time in MCC’s history, students can pursue an Associate in Fine Arts (AFA), with tracks in Music and Studio Art. This degree is designed to prepare students to transfer to fine arts programs at the junior level of four-year institutions when they have completed the fundamental core curriculum at the community college level.

“We want the public to learn about the fantastic arts programs at Mott Community College,” said Mary Cusack, MCC Dean of Fine Arts & Social Sciences. “Mott College offers students the equivalent of the first two years of fine art and music programs at a university, at a fraction of the cost. It’s an economical way to launch one’s education, without sacrificing quality. We have outstanding art and music facilities, and talented faculty who care about student success.”

Mott Community College is part of a growing number of community colleges across the nation offering the AFA for students who plan to continue their studies toward earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree and ultimately a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or Doctor of Music Arts (DMA).

“Students who gravitate toward study in the arts tend to think differently and creatively, and the AFA provides them with a clear pathway for future success in education and in their careers as artists and musicians,” Cusack added. “The faculty researched the curricular guidelines established by national music and arts organizations, and designed the AFA based on those recommendations, in order to provide our students with the strongest opportunity for success in the fine arts.”

For more information about the new Associate in Fine Arts Degree at Mott Community College, please call (810) 762-0332.

MCC Trustee Rafael Turner Elected to ACCT BoardAt its annual leadership Congress in Boston this October, the national Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) elected MCC Trustee Rafael C. Turner as an at-large member of its Board of Directors. Turner garnered the most votes of the four candidates running for three spots of the Board. His work with the ACCT will assist in bringing resources back to this area as well as promoting this area on a national level.

Rafael Turner has served on the MCC Board of Trustees since 2011. He served as a Legislative Assistant and Constituent Services Representative for Congressman Dale E. Kildee for many years and recently accepted a post as Community Affairs Specialist with the office of U.S. Senator Carl Levin.

Turner earned his Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Michigan-Flint and his Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan University. He is a member of the Flint Rotary Club and participated in the Rotary International Group Study Exchange to Brazil. He also serves on the executive board of the Flint Branch of the NAACP, as a member of the Flint/Genesee Job Corp Community Relations Council and as a volunteer with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Flint Community Schools.

Lady Bears Volleyball Team ChampsThe Flint Journal described it like this: “The Mott Community College volleyball team is on a tear and has showed no signs of slowing down.” The Lady Bears completed their regular season with 18-2 record (11-1 within their conference) and won the Michigan Community College Athletic Association’s Eastern Division Championship for the first time in 15 years. Mott head coach Bob Halbedel said, It’s phenomenal, the girls are so excited. It’s a culmination of all their hard work and dedication and it all paid off for them.”

Police Academy Underway in FentonThe only Law Enforcement Regional Training Academy (LERTA) – commonly known as a “police academy” -- in Genesee county is located at mott community college’s Fenton location at 2100 West Thompson Road in Fenton. The academy provides a 15-week, intensive training program that prepares students for the Law Enforcement Licensing Exam. To be eligible, candidates must either hold a two or four-year college degree or be a registered criminal justice student at mcc eligible

for graduation upon academy completion.

military candidates, who have prior military law enforcement training and experience may seek enrollment and a waiver of college requirements from the michigan commission on Law Enforcement Standards, if specific requirements have been met.

The LERTA will hold two sessions each year to coincide with the Fall and Winter Semesters at mcc. The Academy is under the direction of chief Theresa Stephens-Lock of mott college’s Public Safety department. “Our goal is to help those considering a career in law enforcement to realize their dreams,” chief Lock said. “There are a limited number of law enforcement academies across the state of michigan and mcc is extremely proud to be one of the locations selected to provide this great training opportunity.”

Financial assistance may be available for eligible participants. In addition, information about financial aid will be available at the LERTA orientation sessions. Registration is required for participation in the orientation sessions.

For additional details, please visit www.lerta.mcc.edu or call Jennifer music at (810) 762-0046.

2 Advanced Machining Opens New Career Opportunities

4 Social Work careers – Earning a degree that allows you to help others

6 Jobs are available for workers trained in computer skills

8 Exciting Opportunities Await Students Pursuing Careers in Marketing and Business Management

10 Growth in Fitness Careers Reflecting Need for Americans to Adopt Healthier Lifestyles

12 Car Enthusiasts Flock to MCC’s Factory Five Build School

12 Flexibility Key in MCC Corporate Services

13 MCC Focuses on Veterans

Questions about the mott community college programs described in this magazine can be directed to the mcc Admissions Office at (810) 762-0200. Visit the college website at www.mcc.edu for more details about mcc and its more than 100 career programs. comments or questions about this publication can be directed to the mcc Office of Public Information at (810) 762-0455.

To advertise in CareerFocus, please call (810) 762-0456.

Publisher ........................................................Dr. m. Richard Shaink, President, mott community college

Editor ............................................................................michael kelly

Staff Writer .............................................................Sharon campbell

Photography ..........................................michael kelly, michael Tews

Visit MCC on the web at www.mcc.edu

Mott Community College Board of Trustees

Lenore croudy, chair

Dr. John Snell, Vice chair

Albert koegel, Treasurer

Sally Shaheen Joseph, Secretary

Pamela m. Faris, Trustee

michael Freeman, Trustee

Rafael Turner, Trustee

Mott Community College Executive Cabinet

Dr. m. Richard Shaink, President, mott community college

Dr. Amy Fugate, Vice President, Office of Academic Affairs

Larry Gawthrop, chief Financial Officer

Scott Jenkins, Vice President, Office of Administration and Student Services

mark kennedy, chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department

careerFocus is published twice a year by mott community college, 1401 East court Street, Flint, mI 48503

All rights reserved. No part of the material printed may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system without the permission of the publisher.

© 2012 mott community college

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It’s the easy way to access mott community college resources and get on the path to a new career.

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810-762-0200 I www.mcc.edu I mott community college CareerFocus I Winter 2012 I 1

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Advanced Machining Opens New Career Opportunities

By Michael Kelly

This part of the country is familiar with the term “machining.” Once upon a time, a person who operated a lathe or a drill could be

described as a machinist and have a productive career using that one skill.

Times have changed.

As technologies continue to advance, new materials, machining processes and manufacturing methods appear in the effort an attempt to get maximum performance for minimum cost. Today, much more is expected from a machinist. Machinists now are expected to be skilled in Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) as well as the physical operation of machines.

Laszlo Szalay is the new full-time faculty program coordinator of the Advanced Manufacturing/Machining program at Mott Community College and brims with enthusiasm for his program. It comes naturally to him as machining is in his blood. “I came from real life. I’ve been a dye maker since I was a kid.”

Szalay grew up in Youngstown, Ohio where his father -- an anti-Communist rebel -- had fled after the Hungarian uprising of 1956 was crushed by the Soviet Union. Within a decade, his father opened his own tool and die shop, where young Laszlo worked since childhood. “I’ve probably drilled a million holes,” he remembered with a laugh.

No one is more aware of the changes in the industry that Szalay. “Back in the day you could be a machinist just by knowing how to run a machine,” he recalled. “Today, our goal is to make our students into well-rounded machinists that can sketch, design, program, know the characteristics of the materials and more.”

Szalay is determined that Mott College’s program will produce students well prepared to thrive in the new high-tech environment. “When they go into the shops, the shops don’t just want one guy to run one machine. They want someone who can program the machine, run the machine, package the part and be able to make the part to the quality specification.”

He knows the demands of manufacturing for skilled labor. “The need is out there right now,” he said. ‘The shops are getting overwhelmed. They can’t find skilled labor. There’s lots of labor around but not skilled in CNC programming.”

There are several organizations in the Genesee County area and in the Southeast Michigan region that are working to help address the remarkable demand for CNC Machinists. The Michigan Emerging Markets Skills Alliance is a group of manufacturers and educators that started talking in Flint three years ago to try to address this problem and other area employment needs.

The Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN) for Southeast Michigan held a CNC Skilled Trade/Technician Task Force Meeting at Hi-Tech Mold & Engineering, Inc. in Rochester Hills. The meeting brought together business representatives as well as college educators to discuss the shortage of CNC Machinists, CNC Programmers and related occupations. The meeting discussed that there was a need for hundreds of machinists in the Southeast Michigan area, within the last year, and more in coming years. In the last year, there were 15 job openings for every skilled machinist that was available for hire. The companies that attended had completed a survey and 83% said that their company’s top concern to their ability to thrive was their ability to find new talent. Clark Harris, Dean of Technology said, “It is important for Mott Community College to help the local industries to solve this great need.

Szalay sees MCC as part of the solution: “We’re building the workforce here. Our students are gaining good skills today, but we

2 I Winter 2012 I CareerFocus mott community college I www.mcc.edu I 810-762-0200

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are in the process of increasing the expectations of the program graduates, adding new CNC machines and increasing the time students will be operating and programming machines. We are listening to representatives of manufacturing companies in the region and we are making continual improvements in the program.”

Randy Molzer of Swartz Creek, a current student at Mott College, is one example of the new machinists emerging from MCC’s program.

Most recently, Molzer was in Afghanistan for over three years, serving as a civilian contractor with General Dynamics working on mine-resistant and ambush-protected military vehicles.

As the war began to wind down, Molzer found himself laid off and he knew that he had to reinvent himself for a new career. Returning to Swartz Creek, he said that “I actually stumbled into the fact that Mott College had a program in Computer Numerical Control Machining. I know that both in the design and

machining sides, it’s a wide open field.”

His previous experience for General Dynamics had been mainly in the automotive field both as a technician and in management. But he knew that new times demanded new skills.

“I will be 50 years old in just a few months and, if you’re on the workhorse side of things, it takes its beating on your body. So the opportunity presented itself for me to enroll back in school again. I got home just in time to jump into the Advanced Machining program at MCC and I really enjoy it. It’s great. I’ve actually learned more than I expected. The faculty have been out of this world and all of them seem to have a lot of actual experience in the field. They’re not just teaching something they read in a textbook, they have practical, real world experience and the Regional Technology Center is an absolutely beautiful facility,” he said with a smile.

Molzer is optimistic about the future for someone with the skills

he’s learning. “There are a lot of opportunities in the state of Michigan in the design and manufacturing field,” he said. “A lot of those people working in those fields are nearing retirement and there haven’t been a lot of people newly trained for those positions. I really think that design and computer manufacturing in Michigan are opportunities that are really going to grow.”

“Whether I wind up on the design side sitting in front of a computer or in more of a shop setting working with the machinery, the two go hand in hand. The more versatile you are, the more you understand on both sides, the better off you are.”

Szalay finds that many of his students today are experienced as machine operators at General Motors or other companies but who need the retraining to take their skills to a new level.

“You can’t work on a car today unless you’re half a computer expert,” he pointed out, “same with machinists. You have to understand the computerization in this world.

You have to understand new concepts of material because cutting tools are different. A carbide cutter is a great cutter and they’re expensive but with new ceramic inserts or new carbide alloy mixes – you can cut like crazy with some of this stuff but you have to understand the characteristics of the tools and the materials being cut.”

Mott Community College currently offers classes in areas such as machining, CNC machining, Mastercam, computer aided drafting and design, material systems and evaluation, and metallurgy. The classes can lead toward a Certificate of Achievement in Machine Tool Technology or an Associate’s of Applied Science degree in Mechanical Operations Technology.

There are related programs in CAD and Design, Electronics and Robotics Programming. Mott College offers many high demand, high wage, high skill programs. For more information contact the Technology Division at Mott Community College at 810-762-0500.


By Sharon Campbell

If you count yourself among those who care deeply about people, then social work may be an ideal career for you.

There are a variety of avenues available to pursue in social

work, but the backbone of the profession is basic: a commitment to helping others.

Paul Jordan, Faculty Coordinator of the Social Work Technician Program at Mott Community College, is always proud to see students graduate and become successful in many aspects of social work. There are those who sought to help others, as well as those who may have been on the receiving end of help themselves.

“Many of our students decide that they want to make a career out of helping people, because either they

themselves needed help, or they were involved with other people who received help, and for whom it made a difference in their lives,” Jordan said. “They want to give back; they want to be the helper, having been the helped. They realize that they can do more, as well as get further in life with an education in Social Work.”

Social workers can work with individuals, with groups of people, with communities, in political life, or in education – in many areas.

The Social Work Technician program at MCC prepares graduates for employment in the social services field by providing understanding of the methods, skills, philosophy and human behavior necessary to perform in a social services setting. Students also have an opportunity to learn on-the-job skills by spending time in agencies.

“It’s an extremely versatile field,” Jordan added. “I’m happy to say that people can find useful occupations if they have only two years of social

“The primary objective of MCC’s Social Work Technician Program is to provide students with a foundation, basic skills, values and some work experience in helping people.”

Paul Jordan Faculty Coordinator of the Social Work Technician Program

Social Work Careers – Earning a degree that allows you to help others


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Social Work Careers – Earning a degree that allows you to help others

work education, four years, six years, or more. With every greater level of education, people gain greater skill and an ability to work in more areas. But someone who has, for whatever reason, decided they don’t want to invest four or six years, can still find very useful things to do.”

Several social work occupations have a bright job outlook, including social and human service assistants; child, family and school social workers; health care social workers; mental health and substance abuse social workers and medical and health services managers. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, specifically, are among the occupations expected to grow at a rate of 27 percent, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Paul Jordan is also pleased to report that a number of students who graduate from MCC’s program actually find jobs.

“One of the nice things about our program that we found over the years – and it’s a bonus – around 30% of the students in our internship programs get offered jobs,” said Jordan, who has been involved in professional social work since 1980. “There are opportunities out there.”

The primary objective of MCC’s Social Work Technician Program is to provide students with a foundation, basic skills, values and some work experience in helping

people, Jordan continued. “We also want our students to find their work meaningful.”

Mary Cusack, Dean of Fine Arts & Social Sciences at MCC, reiterates the value of internships. “They’re a win-win situation for the student and for the organization. The student gains resume-building, real world experience and the organization can test-drive a potential new employee.”

The range of opportunities available to someone interested in social work is diverse as well, with a variety of specializations and options for students on different paths in life.

Diane Woodruff, a 2010 graduate of MCC’s Social Work Technician program, discovered this for herself.

After graduating from high school in 1989, she started attending MCC, but did not recognize the importance of completing her studies at the time. She always managed to keep a “good-paying job,” she recalled. “I had a GM family, and a GM mindset,” she said. “The “shop” was always there.” But in 2008, she found herself unemployed after being terminated from a job and applied to Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) program, created to help workers acquire the education and skills necessary for them to succeed in today’s workforce.

“The economy was starting to tank and I realized that NWLB was my chance to get a college education,” Woodruff said. She went back to MCC, and took a medical terminology course and an introductory social work course the first semester of returning.

“Halfway through that course, I found out that social work was my calling.”

While at MCC, she served as president of the social work club, coordinating the group’s various activities. She successfully completed an internship working for the United Way of Genesee County’s Building Excellence, Sustainability and Trust (BEST) project, and was offered an opportunity to stay on at the end of the internship, working on a contractual basis as a program assistant. (The staff of BEST works to strengthen the non-profit sector of Flint and Genesee County by

providing capacity building support and technical assistance).

“I just have this need to help people, and I love this work,” Woodruff said. She remembers participating in a two-day conference for board members and executive directors of non-profits once, and as she looked around the room at the attendees, she could see the big picture: that gives her hope for a community with more than its fair share of social issues and concerns.

“There may be only 60 people working in any given non-profit, but they’re helping a whole lot of people,” she said. “It just gives me goose

bumps. A community is only as strong as its non-profits, and this community cares. The Flint/Genesee County community can be such a better place because of this.”

“I think our program offers excellent training in the basic skills, the fundamental values that are essential to becoming a successful helper,” Jordan added. “It is a wonderful first step for anybody who feels their life’s purpose involves helping other people’s lives improve.”

Diane Woodruff

MCC Social Work Technician Program graduate Koaster Brim (standing) works as the Peer Tutor Coordinator in the MCC Learning Center. She is pictured with Korie Harden (left), a professional tutor in the MCC Learning Center.


Jobs are available for workers trained in computer skills

Mott Community College has developed a strong Information Technology program, offering several associate degrees in computer fields, including programs in Computer Information Systems, Web Development and Computer Occupations Technology. Students in Computer Occupations Technology

can choose from career tracks in Computer Programming, Web Development and Applications Development.

There are career opportunities in Information technology. “Jobs are available for graduates of these programs,” said Rob Benard, MCC’s

Information Technology Program Coordinator, “with a stronger demand in Southeast Michigan.” Observers note that there is a steady need for skilled people with application development skills.

Benard explained, “In the applications development programs, we train students to develop applications for a variety of formats such as Web Development that does more than just simple informational web pages. These applications add value to websites, allowing them to access back-end databases for programs that will allow online registration for classes, creating shopping carts, and create dynamic sites. Sites also have the ability to interact with users in the form of games or simple applications like online calculators.

Scott Quinn of Lapeer is an example of a local student who followed this path through MCC. Quinn was at a university when financial challenges forced him to move back home. He decided to continue his college education at Mott Community College, starting classes at MCC’s Lapeer Center and later continuing at the main campus in Flint.

“I didn’t particularly like the university I was attending,” Quinn related. “I was in lecture halls with two or three hundred people. It was all just lectures and exams. The smaller classrooms and personal attention from professors at MCC helped me personally. It was a lot more fun too. We are actually getting lots of hands-on experience right along with learning the theory.”

Rob Benard, MCC’s Information Technology Program Coordinator. Scott Quinn, MCC’s Information Technology Program graduate.

By Michael Kelly

Today’s workplace is all about technology. It is no surprise to find that there is a high demand for employees with computer expertise. Even in a difficult economy, workers trained and skilled in computers are able to find jobs.

In Michigan, six of the top 25 fastest growing occupations are computer related with a projected 30% growth in the need for skilled workers

nationwide in the next few years.


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To prepare for employment in Applications Development and Web Development, mott college offers several academic programs. Students wanting to become computer programmers should major in computer Information Systems or computer Occupations Technology-Applications Developer degree programs to prepare themselves for a career in Applications Development. Students that think they would like to add the power to Web sites should enroll in the Web Development or computer Occupations Technology - Web Developer degree programs.

The curriculum offered at mott focuses on the latest technology. mcc’s curriculum is driven by industry professionals and national trends. mcc’s Information Technology programs have an industry advisory committee that includes Information Technology professionals from Roe En-gineering, Genesys Health Systems, Plunkett cooney Law Firm, and Job Skill Technology, Inc. The curriculum hosts technologies including c++, c#, Visual Basic, Python, PHP, mySQL, HTmL, cSS, JavaScript, ASP, .Net Framework, along with an broad skill set in A+ computing, networking, security, and database.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) O*Net Online reported that the occupation of computer programmers has a bright outlook. Computer programmers in Michigan can expect a median income of $67,800 per year. Salaries in the bottom 10% are at $40,000 per year. Nationally there is a 12% expected employment growth in the occupation by year 2020. Web developers in Michigan have a median income of $66,300 per year. The expected national trend for Web developers is a 22% increase, from 302,300 developers to 367,900.

Some tasks performed by computer programmers, as identified by the DOL include;

• Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.

• Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.

• Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.

• Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.

• Perform systems analysis and programming tasks to maintain and control the use of computer systems software as a systems programmer.

• Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.

• Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation, and convert them into a series of instructions coded in a computer language.

Some of the tasks normally performed by Web developers, as listed by the DOL are;

• Design, build, or maintain web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.

• Write, design, or edit web page content, or direct others producing content.

• Confer with management or development teams to prioritize needs, resolve conflicts, develop content criteria, or choose solutions.

• Evaluate code to ensure that it is valid, is properly structured, meets industry standards and is compatible with browsers, devices, or operating systems.

• Maintain understanding of current web technologies or programming practices through continuing education, reading, or participation in professional conferences, workshops, or groups.

• Analyze user needs to determine technical requirements.

“Another good thing about Mott College is the group work we were required to do. It’s huge in my career, every day I’m working with one or more people. You’ve got to get that hands-on interactive experience. I use it every day at work.”

Quinn enjoyed his time at Mott College, stating “I enjoyed Mott College and didn’t want to leave so I stayed and finished two associate degrees.” His first degree was in Computer Information Systems and the second was in Computer Occupation Technology.

After completing his degree at MCC, Quinn entered a challenging job market but quickly found a post. “I applied for maybe fifteen jobs; I was called back for three and got two job offers.” He is now working in programming and web development at Lasertec in Sterling Heights.

He enjoys his work at Lasertec. “It’s a great job. There’s so much to learn every day. I spend at least an hour every day just reading and learning new things about the field. My co-workers and I are constantly bouncing ideas off each other. I enjoy it because it’s always something new.”

The daily challenge appeals to Quinn. “You’re making something. It could take you a couple days to figure out one problem but when you get it done, it’s a huge relief and it feels good. It’s fun to me,” he insisted, “Without the skills I learned at MCC there’s no way I could even start my job. There’s no way I could even get my foot in the door.”

There are several different fields in Information Technology that will appeal to all types of people. According to Professor Benard, “People who love doing puzzles will love the field. This field is about solving puzzles. It helps to be logical, meticulous and a problem-solver. You really need to have a foundation in algebra.”

“People who love to work with their hands and get into connecting the physical computer, the wiring and building systems,” Benard continued, “might be interested in the networking or computer repair programs offered at MCC.”

Scott Quinn agreed that MCC’s program is challenging but he encouraged interested people to give it a try. “Don’t get steered away because it’s difficult,” he said. “There’s a lot to learn but it is fun to learn. You’ve got to stick with it.”

For more information about these programs, go to http://infotech.mcc.edu.

“Without the skills I learned at MCC there’s no way I could even start my job. There’s no way I could even get my foot in the door.”

Scott Quinn, MCC Student

Salaries and Skills


By Sharon Campbell

The countless rewards for anyone interested in a career in the marketing/management arena are as great and diverse as the world itself.

The job outlook for careers related to a degree in Marketing or Business Management is favorable. According to the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, business and marketing management positions are supposed to grow over the next several years.

Despite a very competitive job market, qualified degree-holders should not have any difficulty finding work in the industry.

There are a broad range of career opportunities available to students studying in the Marketing and Business Management areas, and Mott Community College’s program, fully accredited and certified by the prestigious Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), provides students with the tools they need to land good jobs or establish their own businesses.

A degree in marketing or management can pave the way to

professional success in nearly any industry, and the fields of work generated by these fields of study tend to be among the most sought after programs of study chosen by college students. “The business management degree has been the most popular program in the last 10 years for two and four-year colleges,” said Paul Londrigan, Marketing Management Professor at Mott Community College. “Marketing and Business Management are equally MCC student Brandy Cichoracki talks with Marketing Management Professor

Paul Londrigan.

Exciting Opportunities Await StudentsPursuing Careers in Marketing and Business Management


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exciting for students because they offers all kinds of opportunities – in radio, TV, advertising and retail.”

A long list of very diverse and interesting opportunities – many in high demand – exist for students. For instance, occupations that can be obtained with a marketing/management major include airport managers, city managers, hotel/motel managers, retail sales/store managers, market research analyst, as well as advertising agents and managers, public relations professionals/managers; stock brokers, purchasing agent/specialists, financial planners and logisticians – just to name a few. The average salary of a business or marketing manager, specifically, is around $87,000 per year, but salaries in marketing management will vary according to level of education and experience in the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for logisticians, who analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain – the system that moves a product from supplier to consumer, is expected to grow 26 percent through 2020. That’s faster than the average for all occupations.

A career as a pharmaceutical sales representative is another example of a high demand, high wage career option under the marketing/management umbrella.

“Pharmaceutical sales representatives are in demand,” added Londrigan.”You can make up to $100,000 a year selling medical devices. It’s an interesting career – with really big money. Food marketing/food management is also equally in demand.”

An integral part of Marketing and Business Management is the ability to analyze and interact effectively within an increasingly global marketplace. A great deal of emphasis is also placed on communication and organizational

skills. Course work typically involves study in marketing, economics, finance, business management, advertising, visual media and business ethics.

While some occupations may require advanced degrees beyond the two-year, associate’s degree level, all do not. Managers are a necessary part of many businesses, from small local businesses and enterprises to multinational corporations. Managers hold the leadership positions within a company or firm. Many students who may study Marketing and/or Business Management and graduate with an Associate’s degree can go on to work in a variety of areas – in advertising, retail, restaurant management, and many others – with or without a four-year degree.

Brandy Cichoracki, 29 of Flint, now in her second year at MCC, is one such student. She is already working in the management field. She is the assistant manager at a local restaurant, Lucky’s Steakhouse – but

her work often involves fulfilling the role of the restaurant manager.

“This happens a lot in the real world,” said Cichoracki, who’s enrolled in Londrigan’s advertising course, Business 253. She not only tends to the Davison location of Lucky’s where she is based, but the franchise’s six other locations in the region as well. In addition to managing, she serves and bartends at the establishment.

“I’m cross-trained on all the computers in all the buildings, too,” she noted. “I’m a jack of all trades.”

Cichoracki also handles the restaurant’s banking activities, scheduling, training servers, hostesses and bartenders – she does everything except for cooking in the kitchen. “I don’t do kitchens!

But she has a dream job in mind and specific goals for the future.

“My dream job is to have my own place,” she said. “I manage Lucky’s, but my ultimate goal is to open my own business. I do a lot of art work,

and my aunt and I have talked about opening up an artsy coffee shop. I’ve made some good connections already.”

And Cichoracki is confident she’ll reach her goals – in the short term. She’s on her way toward completion of her Associate’s degree in business management at MCC, and plans to possibly transfer to Northwood University to earn a bachelor’s degree. But she can see herself actually working at her dream job sooner than later, and maybe putting work on that four-year degree on the back burner for a while.

Londrigan has no doubt that Cichoracki will achieve her career goals. “She’s a dynamic young lady,” he said.

“Marketing and Management is so diverse,” Londrigan added. “There are all kinds of job opportunities. You’re not limited at all in what you can do or where you can go.”

MCC students intrigued by Marketing/Management program.


By Sharon Campbell

Athletic trainers, aerobics instructors and fitness trainers are at the top of the list: that is, the 2012 100 fastest growing

jobs list, compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Census Bureau. (Athletic trainers came in at #9 on the list, while fitness trainers and aerobics instructors shared the #28 spot).

Why are jobs in the fitness world among the hottest careers around these days?Many Americans are overweight, and unhealthy. About two-thirds of people in the U.S. are either overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and carrying around a host of health risks with that excess weight. Unhealthy lifestyles have been linked to the cause of such chronic diseases as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

A study by Matthew Reeves, MD, of Michigan State University, based on research published in the medical journal, Archives of Internal Medicine, indicated that only 3% of Americans maintain a healthy lifestyle. But people can enjoy better health: by adding four simple routines into their lives: not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating right and exercising.

Increased attention on the benefits and importance of maintaining good health has put a spotlight on fitness careers. That’s great news for Shannon Sabo and Nicholas Rethman.

Sabo and Rethman, Physical Education, Health and Recreation

Growth in Fitness Careers Reflecting Need for Americans to Adopt Healthier Lifestyles

Shannon Sabo assists students in the Fitness Center.

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Faculty and Program Co-Coordinators in the Health Sciences Division at Mott Community College, share a passion: helping students experience and find success in some type of physical activity, hoping that they will continue to participate outside of their classes, or even pursue careers in fitness or related occupations in health.

“We offer a variety of wellness-related courses in health and physical education at MCC,” said Sabo. “In select courses, students get the opportunity to learn about fitness, nutrition and healthy living.”

A major in exercise science and kinesiology could lead to a career as an athletic or personal fitness trainer or physical education instructor. A student exploring a major in recreation and leisure studies can find work as a corporate fitness instructor for a company, a cruise recreation director, or a municipal recreation specialist. A comprehensive list of health-related occupations that lend themselves to careers in fitness exists as well, such as public health educator, cardiac rehabilitation specialist, occupational therapist, and the list goes on.

While currently MCC does not offer an academic program leading to a degree in the fitness field, students can transfer courses from this discipline into majors in exercise science or kinesiology. A degree in this area could lead to a career as an athletic or personal fitness trainer or physical education instructor. In the various PEAC courses, students may also learn that they are interested in careers in personal training or coaching.

Students may discover an interest in various careers (in addition to getting a little exercise) by taking a Physical Education Activity Course (PEAC) offered by the college, such as PEAC144 (Weight Training Theory and Practice), a course that gives students the opportunity to demonstrate practical knowledge of strength training principles and activities. Students also have an opportunity to actively participate in high levels of strength training exercises and apply theoretical knowledge and best practices to develop personal fitness goals as well. They can take PEAC142 (Running). This course is designed to give students a chance to improve and increase their running ability, understand fundamental nutritional factors and basic cross-training principals associated with running, apply and understand running form and foot orientation, and understand and apply safety practices.

Students may discover an interest in various careers by taking PEAC courses, or courses such as HEAL 129 (Health Science’s First Aid Responding to Emergencies course). If interested in a career in education, emergency medicine, nursing, or work as an EMT/Paramedic, taking a course such as HEAL 129 could spur that interest. HEAL and PEAC courses could also lead to further study in physical therapy, occupational therapy, or even respiratory therapy.

“There are a variety of health sciences programs offered at Mott Community College that focus on some of these careers,” Sabo added.

Sabo’s career choice was a natural fit for her. She graduated with an Associate’s degree of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant from Macomb Community College in 1999. Upon graduating she decided that she wanted to do “PRE-habilitation” instead of “Rehabilitation,” so she decided to enter the education field. Graduating from Wayne State University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Health and Physical Education, she went on to earn a Master of Education in Kinesiology from Wayne State University. She has also worked in Macomb County as a high school physical education and health teacher while instructing evening courses at Wayne State University and Henry Ford Community College in teacher education and exercise physiology.

“Students that choose to work in a career in health and wellness should be passionate about people,” Sabo said. “It is important that they are committed to working with

diverse populations; that they are compassionate and patient and dedicated to being a lifelong learner.”

Rethman has been teaching physical education at various levels for the past 10 years. He received a bachelor’s in education from Saginaw Valley State University in 2003, and spent six years working in Michigan public schools. He returned to SVSU and completed a Master’s in Education degree in 2009. After completing this degree, he spent two years at SVSU as an instructor in the elementary teacher education department.

“Originally, I wanted to become a physical educator because of the time I had spent as an athlete at the high school and college level,” Rethman said. “I have always enjoyed sports and games and wanted to make a career out of teaching. Traits that are needed to be successful in my profession include a large amount of content area knowledge, motivation to deal with people from all walks of life, and an enthusiasm for helping people to make changes in their lives.”

Sabo and Rethman teach several PEAC and HEAL courses at MCC.

“The classes at Mott vary greatly in the intensity of activity and amount of information presented during class,” Rethman said. “The major pluses of the PEAC courses offered at Mott College are the college’s ability to offer a wide variety of activities, the encouragement of the college itself in the areas of fitness and wellness and the enthusiasm of the students.”

Korbyn Brock, 17, of Grand Blanc, a first year student at MCC, decided to

enroll in PEAC 144, (Weight Training), just to see what it was all about. He said he’s enjoying the class and has already learned a thing or two. PEAC 144 meets in the MCC Fitness Center, a physical education classroom located in the Ballenger Field House, that provides a safe, educational environment for individual fitness evaluation and training for MCC students, faculty and staff members.

Korbyn wants to work as a registered nurse when he completes his studies at MCC.

“I’m really into fitness and I want to learn more about it,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in the medical field. Anything about the human anatomy interests me.”

What has he learned so far? “I learned that there’s an exercise that’s actually bad for your shoulder, and I have a problem with my left shoulder,” he smiled.

In addition to enjoying physical education instruction, both Sabo and Rethman are very active and fit: they practice what they teach.

They also share a goal: the continued success of the PEAC courses at MCC – enhancing an ongoing commitment to improving the overall health and wellness of the College Community.

“I’ve played soccer year round since elementary school and enjoy skiing, hiking, traveling, and anything in the great outdoors,” Sabo said. “But you most certainly don’t need to work-out in a gym to be physically active. Find something you enjoy that challenges you both mentally and physically.”

Nicholas Rethman discusses a fitness plan with a student.


By Michael Kelly

It comes as no surprise to find people making automobiles in this part of the country, but did you know that there are hotrods being built at Mott Community College?

MCC’s Factory Five Build School is a hands-on, three

day workshop where students build a Factory Five Mk4 or ‘33 Hot Rod from the bare frame all the way up to the completed car in three days.

For more than ten years, MCC’s Build School has helped over 1,500 students from the U.S. and all over the world learn how to build a Factory Five. Classes are held each month at the brand-new M-TEC Center in Howell, Michigan. Under the careful direction of Mott College’s instructors, the students build each car as a team. Class size is limited to 15 students to ensure individualized instruction.

The Mott Community College Livingston Center is a modern, well equipped teaching facility. The Build School is a great way to get hands-on practice before you build your own car. The Build School is 100%

independent from Factory Five Racing. The MCC Build School has been featured in several magazines, including Kit Car, Street Scene and Mustangs and Fords.

This workshop is ideal for those who have always wanted to build a Mark IV Roadster or ‘33 Hotrod of their own, or want to learn more about state-of-the-art performance car design, engineering and assembly. MCC’s team of industry professionals includes Factory Five owners and builders, racecar mechanics and hard-core racing enthusiasts.

Students learn how to organize and manage the process of constructing a replica kit car by actually assembling a car. And also learn about the following automotive concepts and theories:

• steering and suspension systems,

• actual chassis wiring layout including vehicle instrumentation and lighting,

• brake systems design and layout, and

• safe shop practices.

Students who have gone through the program give it rave reviews.

“My sons and I had a fabulous time learning not only the many nuances and details of building a FFR Roadster, but we also learned so much automotive maintenance information that can be applied to any car. It truly exceeded our expectations,” said Dr. John Shaner, a professor at Creighton University Medical Center School of Dentistry.

Carl Thompson, who came from Delaware to attend the program said, ‘The Mott Community College Build School is a gem! The 3-day class was fantastic! I was excited about how fast the car went together and about all the engineering built into the car to make it so easy to build.” John Allen stated, “The experience that was better than any instruction I’ve had and I’ve had plenty. I’m sixty years old, graduated from college, in and out of the Army, and three more years of school after that.”

Marc St. Amand, who came from Canada to take the program with MCC, was strong in his praise: “The Mott College Build School should be a knee jerk reflex recommendation

for any novice thinking of taking on this project. It should be very strongly recommended to everyone else. These guys will show you things that will save you hours of work and lots of money - things you could only know after doing a few dozen of these kits. The three days were packed with valuable information. This course is so well organized. I’m at a loss for words. Between the build sections, there were short seminars on a variety of topics which allowed me to take notes...and notes...and notes. An appropriate amount of breaks allowed for each student to ask questions more specific to their build plan. What more can you ask for than 3 full days of Roadster talk?”

Lowell Swartz summed it up briefly, “The best money I’ve ever spent.”

The school costs $799 for either ’33 Hot Rod or Mk4 Roadster. Graduates receive a $500 Build School rebate towards the purchase of a Factory Five kit. For more information, contact James Jennings at (810) 232-3901 or via email at [email protected].

Flexibility is the Key for Business at MCC Corporate ServicesBy Michael Kelly

Business is under constant pressure to change. Products and processes have to be adapted, customer demands

increase, cost pressures never cease and personnel issues keep arising.

Fortunately, area businesses have an ally at Mott Community College.

Chuck Thiel heads up the Corporate Services Division at Mott College and has worked with small, medium and large companies and organizations for years. Whether training a new shift at a General Motor production facility or creating

a quality process for a small shop with five employees, MCC Corporate Services puts the vast resources of Mott College in the hands of local business.

The Corporate Services Division customizes training and other services with flexibility to meet the specific needs of a business, adapting to each organization’s jargon, schedules, environment and culture.

“It’s more than just training,” Thiel said. “There often is training but it can be everything from quality concerns, product shipping, packaging, inventory processes, certification or more. MCC has a lot

of resources to bring to the table. We have a large college faculty to draw on as well as the ability to go outside to get any expertise we don’t have and bring them into the mix.”

He believes that Mott College has a strong position when serving local business. “We’re not going anywhere. We’re not leaving the community. We’re here for you. We’re available. Our commitment is to provide what you need, when you need it, where you need it. A better trained workforce is a more productive workforce in any economy.”

“One of the challenges for a smaller business is managing the peaks

and valleys of demand,” Thiel explained. “They might have a big contract followed by a slow period. That requires a long term plan. Sometimes a business is hurting but hasn’t been able to pinpoint why. Maybe they need a review of their processes. They’re looking at the bottom line but what is it that flows into that bottom line? Once they analyze the whole process it becomes pretty clear where the problem is.”

Thiel explained, “They’ve got a contract. They have to deliver. They need to have quality. It’s got to be on time. They need employees with certain skill sets. It’s a constant, continuous improvement process.”

Car Enthusiasts Flock to MCC’s Factory Five Build School


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By Michael Kelly

Mott Community College has a long tradition of serving veterans. The influx of veterans after World War II was a period of tremendous

growth for the college and MCC has been part of veterans’ career training for most of its nearly 90-year history.

But today’s veterans are facing more challenges and Mott College is strengthening its focus on serving the men and women who have worn their nation’s uniforms. The new Veteran Resource Center (VRC) conveniently located on the main floor of the Prahl College Center on MCC’s main campus is designed to serve as a one-stop shop for veterans, military spouses, dependants and military affiliates to provide a wide range of veteran benefits and opportunities. Veterans can begin their educational journey at the VRC from applying for admissions to the college, to assistance with their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA), to applying for their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits and more with the assistance from the trained and knowledgable VRC staff.

According to MCC’s Veteran Resource Specialist Jamiee McClelland, “We have access to a variety of external resources. We are the bridge to those resources and we assist veterans in gaining access to the services owed to them in addition to VA educational benefits.” McClelland came to

MCC after five years as a Veterans Administration Work Study Student and has served in the Michigan Air National Guard since 2006.

Not only is MCC’s VRC commited to assisting veterans with the educational enrollment process and the VA educational benefits, but it also provides assistance with additional services which include, but are not limited to: • Career and job search assistance.• Assistance navigating and

applying for veteran benefits.• Health and wellness

opportunities.• University transfer.• Financial workshops.

“One of the biggest challenges for vets returning to school is simply having been out of the educational atmosphere for so long,” McClelland stated. “Getting back into the routine of going to school is the biggest challenge. Some of our veterans are extremely apprehensive about returning to school. Working through issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder our veterans are experiencing more than the average student. They’re concerned about how things are going to play out and they do not know what to expect. If necessary, we can direct them to available tutoring or other special assistance.”

MCC Veteran Service Representative Mirium Marks-McKeown, herself a veteran of eight years in the Army, also pointed out “that older veterans may be surprised to discover that they, too, may be entitled to benefits.”

Under the new Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) unemployed veterans between the ages of 35 and 60 might qualify for job training funds.

“We’re here to help vets transition into civilian life,” Marks-McKeown said. “As the VRC staff, we become knowledgeable about various resources and benefits through research, enabling us to connect the veteran to the proper people and services.”

Mott College student and Vietnam-era Air Force veteran Gregg Todd praised the VRC: “The center is great. Not only do they help you with the veterans’ issues directly but they also provide a good sounding board for other issues. If you’re working on a paper or something like that and

want to get a second opinion, they’re glad to do that for you and sometimes they’re just someone to visit with.” Todd had worked as a Human Resources manager for many years and when his job was eliminated, he came to MCC to study Nursing.

“The knowledge these people have in here is comprehensive and things that may not have occurred to us, they know about,” Todd added. “They know what’s available. It’s a one-stop resource. You don’t have to run around looking for pieces of the puzzle.”

“A lot of veterans would prefer to converse with someone that they hold a connection with,” McClelland said. “They might not have much in common with an 18-year-old freshman right out of high school. A lot of our events center on giving vets a chance to meet other vets. We usually have between 200 and 250 vets enrolled here at Mott College at any time.”

The VRC hosts workshops on a monthly basis, covering a variety of topics of relevance to veterans looking to build new careers.

Mott College’s VRC is under the administration of MCC Registrar Chris Engle, himself an Army veteran. “MCC is committed to serve the men and women who served our country,” Engle stated, “and we take that commitment seriously.” The VRC is open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Mondays and Tuesday and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For more information, contact Jamiee McClelland by phone at (810) 762-5632 or by email at [email protected].

MCC Focuses on Veterans

One of the extra resources MCC brings to the table is its deep knowledge of governmental systems. “We try to bring in all the resources we can. We take a look at grants,

workforce development programs, dislocated worker initiatives; we’re in the mix on all that. We’ve even written grants for local businesses.”

Despite Mott College’s main focus on traditional college classes, the Corporate Services side is very flexible. “We’re not locked into something like the traditional 15 week class cycle. Each business program is dictated by what we have to accomplish,” Thiel said. “We often do a train-the-trainer method where we train team leaders from a business and they go back and train the other employees.”

There is no charge to contact MCC Corporate Services and discuss what issues your business is facing. If interested, please call MCC Corporate Services at (810) 762-0589.


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Flint • Fenton • lapeer Clio • Howell

810-762-0200

For a solid foundation of college learning and tremendous cost savings, taking your first year or two of college at Mott Community College is a smart idea.

Save on room and board costs, take advantage of small class size and professors who teach their own classes, and save with MCC’s lower tuition rates.

Most MCC students are able to work while attending college and MCC college credits transfer to any university in Michigan and most in America.

Registration for winter classes open now.

Top Quality.Top Value.

Register online at www.mcc.edu

As the cost of college rises every year, MCC is your best higher education value.

Classes start

Jan 12!

MCC was named one of the Top Ten Community Colleges in America* and the #1 College Choice for graduates of every high school in Genesee County!

*Aspen Institute, Washington, D.C.

Career Focus Ad.Nov_12.indd 1 11/1/12 10:32 AM

mott community college winter 2012 volume 2 issue 2 community college winter 2012 volume 2 issue 2...

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