PRLog (Press Release) –
Apr 16, 2008 – Over 150 graduates and their guests filed into the Country Inn & Suites in Brookfield, WI on a cool spring evening to celebrate a six month journey to becoming an IT professional.
Last August, students in track 183 began their journey at the Brookfield Campus of PC ProSchools, a Microsoft IT Academy licensed by the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board and accredited by ACCET. Track 183 contained manufacturers, construction workers, secretaries, retail representatives and office workers. All committed to changing their lives and becoming Help Desk Analysts, Network Administrators or PC Technicians to name just a few and on March 20, 2008 they were one step closer.
The Commencement ceremony began with a Welcoming Address from Campus Director Laura Polancich. Polancich, whose primary responsibility at PC Pro Schools is to provide job placement services was proud to congratulate the more than half of the graduating class that had already secured a job in the high paying IT industry and made a commitment to continue assisting those still searching. Next Vice President of Educational Services, Kate Pelchat, presented an Executive Address and congratulated the class for their hard work and dedication. Pelchat compared the graduates’ journey at PC Pro Schools to the CAT5 cable they had been given at their initial orientation highlighting the ups and downs and even the knots at times and shared a quote from Ernest Hemmingway that “It is good to have an end to journey towards but it is the journey itself that matters in the end.”
Lead Instructor Mick Brentar stood before the class for his final lecture, so to speak. He challenged them to continue learning always and explained how proud he is to now call them colleagues in the IT Industry.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Ricardo Monteen, a Help Desk Manager at Manpower Corporation and a former graduate of PC ProSchools from 1 year ago. He chronicled his journey, sharing how different his life is now. It was a full circle moment for everyone as Monteen explained how he had just hired four PC Pro Schools graduates for his Help Desk team.
The mood was high as the evening concluded with a punch and cake reception where families, graduates and faculty shared memories; all knowing that the sum of a journey is a new perspective of home and for all that perspective is quite different 6 months later.
Graduate Wendy Tokarz shared “Being able to graduate with my class and conquer such a challenging goal feels great. My family and friends are so proud of me. It’s just great!”
*At the time of this publication, less than one month later, over 75% of these graduates, including Tokarz have been offered IT positions and have begun enjoying the benefits of their new careers.
