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Robbie Hobbs, Education and Career Partnership (ECP) Manager, who serves the Heart of Georgia Technical College service delivery area (Bleckley, Dodge, Laurens, Telfair, Wheeler, Wilkinson counties),  spoke at the Wilkinson County Exchange Club about initiatives to increase business participation in area high schools.   The ECP Committee strives to help area schools increase the high school graduation rate, increase career awareness, and better prepare high school students to enter the work force through post secondary education and training.  The meeting was held at the Wilkinson County Court house with 30 people in attendance.  Shown left to right: Robbie Hobbs and Rob Mixon, Exchange Club President

The Dublin Exchange Club recently awarded scholarships to three Heart of Georgia Technical College students.  Marcus Flury (Respiratory Program), Thomas Hightower (Computer Information Systems-Microcomputer Specialist Program), and Marie Smith (Radiologic Technology Program) all received $1000 scholarships. 

HGTC graduate finds success in Rad Tech

              Kate Barr knew she was interested in a career in the medical field early on in her college career. After graduating from high school in Vidalia, she enrolled in a two year college for one semester before deciding to pursue a career in Radiology. After taking core classes in her major at Southeastern Technical College, she transferred to Heart of Georgia Technical College and enrolled in the Radiology Technology program. “I chose HGTC because of the excellent reputation of their medical programs and because of the convenience to Vidalia, my hometown,” says Barr.

              When she graduated in 2004, Barr earned a diploma in her field and passed the state board exam to become a Registered Radiographer. While at HGTC, Barr was a member of the National Technical Honor Society, was an honor graduate and was recognized at graduation for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. She worked part-time in the Radiology Department at two hospitals during her last year at HGTC. After graduation, she accepted a full-time position as a Radiology Technologist. During this time, she was trained in-house to assist with Nuclear Medicine, “I found Nuclear Medicine was where my interest was, and I wanted to go back to school to pursue a certification in that field.” In the fall of 2004, she moved to Kennesaw and enrolled in Coosa Valley Tech in Rome for the Nuclear Medicine program and graduated in 2005 with a certificate. She worked part-time at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta while completing her studies.

              After passing the Nuclear Medicine boards, she accepted a full-time position as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital, “I live in mid-town and love my job. I’ve learned so much from the professional staff at St. Joseph’s. Especially important to me are the patients that I get to interact with and come to love.”

              Barr continues her education through conferences and seminars to keep updated and to earn continuing education credits. She has also been trained in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans and looks forward to sitting for the PET Registry exam in the future.

              Some of Barr’s responsibilities include administering radioactive isotopes into patients, which act as tracers to certain internal organs for diagnosis. She also maintains daily quality control tests on the Nuclear Gamma Camera and equipment.

              Barr credits her success to technical education, “I really like the fact that most technical college programs can be completed in two years. Also, the job placement rate is very high so that a person can complete their program of study and obtain employment in a relatively short time. I also like the teachers and staff at HGTC. They were all so friendly and helpful to me and I felt they truly wanted to see me as well as their other students succeed. Technical colleges offer so many career choices today for anyone of any age! Who would have thought I would be living in Atlanta and working in a large, prominent hospital just a few short years ago! Technical education can offer so many career opportunities that can result in good paying jobs, as well as give you a “hands on” experience.”

HGTC grad obtains new career in education

Karen Tiraboschi was a little nervous about starting college in her fifties, but once she enrolled at Heart of Georgia Technical College, her fears were put to rest, “I was scared and thought everyone would be fresh out of high school, but I got in class and realized I was not the only older person in there. I really enjoyed college,” says Tiraboschi.

A critical automobile accident in her high school years left Tiraboschi with head injuries that kept her out of school for a year. She dropped out of school and took minor jobs. She earned her GED while living in Alabama in 1989. After moving to Eastman, Tiraboschi worked at a manufacturing company until laid off in 2005. She had sustained an injury at work and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. She knew she could no longer perform manual labor as she had in the past. That was when she decided to enroll at HGTC and study education. “I always knew I wanted to study education. I enjoy being with children, especially those in middle and high school. Because I quit school, I was motivated to make a difference in helping other students not do the same,” she says.

After graduating from HGTC, Tiraboschi has worked in her field as a substitute teacher, “I love substitute teaching. I enjoy the students that may need a little more attention. It is an honor to me to run into the kids I have taught and have them remember my name.” She plans to work as a Parapro when a position opens in her area.

Tiraboschi did not let her age or time away from school keep her from being a successful college student, “Karen is a hard working student who displays excellent work ethics. She is a prime example of someone in midlife going back to college to obtain a degree in a new fulfilling career. She has a genuine love for children and a heart felt compassion for helping others. I feel she has the qualities and skills necessary in guiding today's children in a challenging world,” says Gail Brooks, Early Childhood Education program chair.

Tiraboschi’s says her family was an inspiration to her. Her two teenage daughters are proud of her, “They didn’t have any doubt I could do it. That’s how I made it through illness and college, my husband and my kids are so supportive.”

HGTC graduate finds new career

When Phillip Young had trouble finding a job in 2002, he decided to continue his education by enrolling at Heart of Georgia Technical College. After working for over twenty years with a manufacturing company in Swainsboro, he left to start a church in East Dublin, and to find work there. Not finding the work he was accustomed to, he  decided to visit HGTC after seeing an advertisement in the Dublin paper. “When I went to talk to them about attending, everyone was polite. They showed me they wanted to help,” says Young. He attended HGTC while serving as a pastor and working with the Atlanta Journal.

After researching the various academic programs, Young settled on Air Conditioning Technology. He earned a diploma in a field that is expected to grow by 18% to 26% according to the United Department of Labor Bureau. He is currently employed at Middle Georgia College Georgia Aviation in maintenance and is considering continuing his education, “I am thinking about getting more education and the sky is the limit.”

Air Conditioning Technology courses are centered on plan, design, installation and operation of building ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems. Many of these courses are also useful in other fields including engineering, building construction and design. The courses apply to residential, industrial, and commercial applications.

Kevin Livingston, department chair of Technical and Industrial programs at HGTC, was complimentary of Young, “He is the kind of student an instructor gets joy from recommending for employment. He always volunteered for assignments when I asked for volunteers. He helped at various off campus school recruitment opportunities several times and helped install the ductwork and heat pump at a Habitat for Humanity house. When his employment opportunity came along, I did not hesitate to recommend him for the job. He was a great student at HGTC and is a great employee to MGC Georgia Aviation.”

Of all the things Young liked about attending HGTC, he credits his instructors with helping him succeed, “The instructors are all very nice and will do what they can to help you.”

Pictured:  Phillip Young and Kevin Livingston.

HGTC graduate uses skills while continuing education

David Brown’s education started at Heart of Georgia Technical College while he was still in high school through the dual enrollment program. He began taking courses in A+ Certification for computer repair in 2002 and took extra classes that counted towards his high school course requirements. By the time he graduated from high school in 2004, Brown was one quarter away from graduation at HGTC.

HGTC was a natural fit for Brown, “I chose HGTC because of my interest in computers, and the resources offered to students in that particular course of study.” While continuing his education at Middle Georgia College until graduation in late 2005, Brown used his computer skills as an Administrative Specialist with Northrop Grumman TSC at Warner Robins Air Force Base. He continued working there until 2007 when he was hired by CDO Technologies as a Management Assistant at the base.

Brown is currently a senior at Georgia Southwestern State University where he is four classes short of a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He plans to continue his education to earn a Master’s Degree in Business Administration or Public Administration and attend Law School. He would eventually like to go into public service as an Accountant, Attorney, or College Professor. Brown’s education at HGTC has afforded him the opportunity to develop a career while completing his education. His success has encouraged his younger brother, Daniel, to pursue the same path through dual enrollment at HGTC where he is studying Electronics.

The skills learned at HGTC have been helpful in Brown’s personal life, “I apply what I learned at HGTC on a regular basis, both at work and at home. I also like the fact that I can use the Career Office for assistance should I ever need a job.”

While at HGTC, Brown earned academic honors and participated in Phi Beta Lambda, Student Council and Campus Crusade for Christ. He credits his instructors with helping him achieve success, “I liked the commitment my instructors had to ensuring I received the best quality education available, and that I had all of the best tools at my disposal in order to guarantee that I received instruction that was up to date and accurate. From the first time I set foot on the campus, and through my entire attendance, everyone was friendly, courteous, and helpful. To someone considering enrolling at HGTC, I would say that the possibilities for success are limitless. Having such a good quality technical education as HGTC opens countless doors, both academically and in the work world.”