Student Success Profile: Santana Hackler

Santana Hackler, Welding Technology Graduate

Today's successful profile features a Q and A with Santana Hackler. Santana is a Workforce Education student who is enrolled in the Welding program at Green River. He's earned multiple certificates and now has his sights set on completing an Associate in Applied Science degree. His welding expertise, mixed with extensive salvage experience and a background in deep-sea diving, will make Santana a triple threat on the job market. He credits Green River's Welding program for its diversity, level of engagement, and its dynamic mix of theory and practice. Check out his story below!

Hi Santana. Thanks for joining us on the blog. What's it like to be a student in the Welding program at Green River?

Santana: Well, being a student here at Green River is a life-changing experience, something that will stay with me for a lifetime. The Welding program has been a real personal challenge that has grown me as a student and as a future employee. The whole Welding program is designed to challenge you on every level of the trade, so anyone can come in and learn how to weld, and understand the processes that employers desire from their well-trained welders. The program, as a whole, is the most inviting and pleasant program I could be involved in at Green River. The diversity of people, the level of engaging welding, and the theory practices within my program have opened many doors of capability and opportunity.

Can you tell us the story of how you decided to pursue training in this field?

Santana: I decided to pursue welding training at Green River because I wanted job security. I put a lot of time and thought into my choice of career field, because the job field was changing due to the economy. After talking with a career adviser at Green River, we found that welding is an area where I have previous skill sets because of my extensive salvage and deep-sea diver training. So, the choice was a natural one, after I had spoken with Professor E. Vessor who took the time to explain how the program worked and what I could expect. From day one, I knew Green River was my ticket to success.

How has Workforce Education helped you towards completing your goals?

Santana: Workforce Education has been a true godsend in helping me realize my dream from start to finish. It brings me to tears knowing there are programs like theirs that can actually help transform people's lives, and give them an opportunity to realize their dreams. From day one, Workforce helped me in the whole process, from Compass testing, and getting into classes, to acquiring equipment to weld with. I owe the success, in all I'm doing at Green River, to Workforce; they gave me a real fighting chance to make a difference for the lives of me and my loved ones. When I think of Workforce, I think of family, because that's how they treated me. And for that, I'm graduating college. The chance I got from Workforce was a chance to change for a lifetime.

You've completed two certificates, and are approaching completion of an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding--congrats! What advice do you have for new students who are thinking about pursuing Welding training at Green River?

Santana: My advice for people who want welding training at Green River would be to approach each day as a new opportunity to add something positive and challenging to your day. Make the most of this opportunity, and the doors that you will open, by undertaking a career in welding, will change your life. Better benefits and rewards in your career will be a direct result of the fact that you chose to change your life by becoming an industry welder.

Funding Tip! All four Workforce Education funding programs--BFET, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst--support Welding at Green River.

Student Success Profile: Scott Swanberg

Scott Swanberg, Helicopter Pilot

Today's success profile features a Q and A with the-one-and-only Scott Swanberg. Scott is a Workforce Education student who is enrolled in the Helicopter Pilot program at Green River.

Scott comes from a family of pilots, earned his private airplane license at seventeen years of age, has over ten years of aviation experience, and is currently an instructor at Classic Helicopters. As Scott puts it, "flying is in the blood."

A Veteran of the Armed Forces, Scott also brings a wealth of service experience and a strong work ethic to the classroom. He's gearing up to graduate this December. Check out his story below!

Hi Scott. Thanks for joining us on the blog. What's it like to be a student in the Helicopter Pilot program at Green River?

Scott: It's a great opportunity to get the training I need. GRCC instructors are top notch, and I have learned a lot from them despite coming into the program with 10+ years of aviation under my belt. My situation is very atypical, as I entered the program as a flight instructor and am only finishing up my Instrument and Instrument Instructor ratings, but it has still been a great opportunity for me to learn and grow within my field. I am considering sticking with the program and and finishing up my Airplane ratings as well.

Can you tell us the story of how you decided to pursue training in this field?

Scott: I come from a family of many pilots, so I guess it's in my blood. I remember flying at a very young age with my father and I can't imagine doing anything else. I got my airplane private license when I was 17. My first helicopter flight was magical, and I just had to get my add-on rating. The balance of my life has been spent pursuing that dream.

How has your background as a Veteran of the Armed Forces prepared you to succeed at the college level?

Scott: The military was a great experience for me. The discipline, emphasis on maintaining physical fitness, and hard work ethic are positive tools that shape motivated, contributing members of our society. The brotherhood will stay with me forever. Getting out of the service and looking ahead, I am motivated to succeed and know that I can. I see these traits in other Veterans and attribute it to our service experiences. I also think that "growing up" in the service and starting college a little later in life changes priorities. I have a family, and so having the skills and education I need to put food on the table is a priority. I take this very seriously.

You're approaching graduation--congrats! What advice would you have for new students who are thinking about pursuing Helicopter Training at Green River?

Scott: Manage your time! I see others in the program struggling to do this. This program takes a lot of dedication. I am both a student and an instructor at Classic Helicopters, so I can tell you that Green River instructors are all great and are there to help students succeed, but students need to meet us half-way. Stay on top of school obligations and set aside time to fly. Also, take Knowledge Tests (part of the requirement for your FAA rating) early! Procrastination will hold you back at the end and can cause problems. Sometimes I need to follow my own advice! It's easy to get overwhelmed. You just have to grit your teeth and go for it!

Funding Tip! All four Workforce Education funding programs support the Helicopter Pilot program at Green River, including: BFET, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst.

Student Success Profile: John Carnes

Today's student success profile features a brief Q and A with John Carnes. John is a Workforce Education student with passions around design, programming, and creating things with his hands. In a just a few short months, he will complete two certificates in the Aerospace: Principles of Precision Machining program.

Afterwards, he has ambitious plans to transition to the two-year Machining and Manufacturing Technology Associate in Applied Science degree. As he puts it, enrolling at Green River was the "best decision ever!"

Hi John, welcome to the blog.What's it like being a student in the Aerospace: Principles of Precision Machining program at Green River?

John: Don't know where to begin, but the teachers are real hands-on about your lessons, which is great! You do really get back what you put into it, with great opportunities only after the first quarter.

Can you tell us the story of how you decided to pursue training in this field?

John: I've always had a passion for creating things with my hands. I had some background in programming in prior colleges; wanting to create something I can actually see was also a big push towards machining. Best decision ever. Maybe it's the Green River teacher and staff members, but the lessons learned here are worth all the time and effort.

How has Workforce Education helped you towards completing your goals?

John: Without Workforce Education, I don't know where I'd be at. They are currently a big part of my life-changing experience, for the positive of course.

What advice would you have for new students who are interested in pursuing precision machining training at Green River?

John: Hello and welcome. You have made the right choice! Give it all you've got and learn--you will get back more in return before you even know it. Good luck on your pursuit to becoming a machinist.

Funding Tip! The following Workforce Education funding programs support machining training at Green River: BFET, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst.

Image Credit: edmik1.com