Welcome back students!

It was a week of excitement and vibrancy as students returned for spring semester classes. Hopefully everyone had a restful winter break and feel ready to get back into the swing of things with their new classes.

I had the opportunity to be a “semester greeter” where I helped answer questions and direct students to their respective classrooms.  As I assisted with this task I was impressed with how students helped the president learn things that I still have not had the opportunity to learn or inquire about.  The enthusiasm from students returning to the Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam and West Bend campuses is great to see as we begin another academic term.

One way students and staff were welcomed back was with lunch events on the three campuses. There were comedians, an interactive inspirational speaker, Lunch n’ Learn event, and opportunities for students to stuff and bring home their very own gray wolf mascot. What a fun way to kick off the new semester!

Students, how did the first week of classes go for you? Do you have anything that you are especially looking forward to this semester?

Connecting Students and Employers - Part III

Happy New Year to everyone who has been following my blogs and to those of you who are first time readers! For those of you who have been here before, you know I have been sharing feedback regarding visits I have had with employers throughout the Moraine Park District.  Meetings and plant tours continued into December at Kohler Co. (Kohler, WI), Kondex Corporation (Lomira, WI), and Metko Inc. (New Holstein, WI).

The conversations I’m having with these employers continue to reinforce the job opportunities for MPTC graduates.  Whether you are attending MPTC to complete an Associate of Applied Science Degree, Technical Diploma, or Certificate, employers are seeking employees who come ready with the technical skills required of the job, and who have the ability and willingness to take the next step to grow within the company.  Amy Adams, Vice President – Engineering at Kohler, indicated showing an interest in the company is key. “We look for employees who are capable of learning and have a willingness to learn.” 

I also heard from employers the importance of providing students with internship opportunities within program areas.  These companies reinforced the idea that it is the students who have participated in internships that they look to hire after graduation.  Internships provide students with on-the-job work experience and reinforce the importance of coming to work on time and team work -- skills often not found in today’s new hires.

As we begin the spring term, I continue to reflect on the importance of connecting with MPTC students and employers, and working together with a focus on technical education and training.