Finance

Many technical college grads rise to positions of leadership in their businesses and communities. Alan is one such example. He pursued a career in accounting at Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) because it was close to home and affordable. Alan also appreciates the flexible scheduling that allowed him to work full-time while attending school.

After earning an associate degree at FVTC, Alan started as a management trainee at Capital Credit Union. He eventually earned a bachelor’s degree and moved up to president and CEO.

"I’ve always felt that Fox Valley Technical College more than measures up against its competition," Alan states. "I’ve succeeded and enjoyed my job. Work is fun for me."

The credit union routinely hires FVTC graduates and encourages existing employees to access FVTC to expand their knowledge through continuing education opportunities.

In recent years, as the economy declined, Kim found her tax preparation business declining as well. As a non-traditional student at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), Kim didn’t want to wait to get into classes or dig deep into the theory of accounting.

"CVTC is wonderful in this respect, because the combination of in-class, hybrid and Internet based classes allows for a non-traditional working student like myself to make it all work," Kim says.

After she graduated, Bolton Refuge House, a domestic and sexual abuse shelter, hired her to handle their accounting and payroll duties. She is now learning grant writing.

"CVTC has totally changed my life. Not only have I changed to a new and challenging career, but it also gave me a new perspective on what my capabilities are," Kim adds.

Ben applied his accounting education from Northcentral Technical College (NTC) to work at his family’s growing business. He implemented formal accounting procedures, such as preparing monthly statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements to better track costs and income. These new efficiencies were invaluable as the company expanded.

"NTC taught the best practices of accounting and gave me a good overview of cost accounting, inventory control, payroll—everything," Ben says. "It gave me a strong foundation so I could adapt to the procedures of any employer."

"I chose NTC because it offered a solid educational background, was geared for those who wanted to get out in the workforce, and was much less expensive than a four-year college," Ben explains.

Dan’s skills and professionalism propelled him to great achievements in his field. Past jobs include vice president of Central Credit Union in Marshfield and vice president of Green Bay’s Harbor Credit Union. He has been president of PCM Credit Union since 1988.

"Technical education is very important," Dan says, of his experience at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), "especially in our area, as far as the job training that graduates get. They get the skills that get their foot in the door, and are ready to take off at that point."

Don was recognized as one of the 50 most influential persons in the electronics industry as head of a billion dollar corporation. If it hadn't been for his instructors at Western Technical College, he thinks he could have ended up working at a gas station.

"They saw potential in me and helped me get a job at Trane Company," he explains. "They developed a flexible schedule around my job. I give them a lot of credit for my success."

At first, Don enrolled in Electronics because that’s what his father wanted. After finishing that program, he re-enrolled at Western, this time in Accounting. Don retired from Allied Signal (now known as Isola) and started a consulting firm to help companies conduct business in China.