At the begining of my senior year of high school, I was in the Health Occupations program offered at the Mt. Pleasant Area Technical Center (MPATC). In this class I worked on a computer program that gave a fairly in-depth introduction to careers in pharmacology. The more I learned from the program, the more interested in the subject I became, and I was more and more certain that this was a field of medicine that I would enjoy going into. At the end of the program, I was able to arrange a job shadow in the pharmacy of the local hospital through the assistance of the MPATC Work Based Learning Facilitator, Karen Petoskey. I was excited for the opportunity offered to me by the Tech Center and shadow at Central Michigan Community Hospital.

To me, the job shadow was nothing more than a requirement for a class that I believed would be interesting, so I went in hoping for nothing more that a little insight into the branch or medicine in which I wanted to be involved. To my delight, I hit it off with the man I was shadowing, who just happened to be the department head of pharmacy. He offered me a job, and I jumped at the opportunity. After the proposition had been made, we sat down to figure how I could be hired. It was an extremely long process due to the fact that I was still a high school student. I was too young and under qualified. I was lucky though, because I had help from MPATC, as well as support from people in the hospital. With their encouragement, I started an online college course in pharmacy technician work so that I would be prepared to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. It was difficult and frustrated me at times, but I had plenty of support from the people around me. As I neared the end of the program, things were finally getting smoothed out at the hospital, and I was invited to come in so we could figure out how I could officially join the work force.

Now I'm doing something I absolutely love along with some amazing people. This is an opportunity that I couldnt have possibly imagined I would be offered. Thanks to the consistent support I received from people in the hospital and the Tech Center, I was able to do something amazing. The biggest recommendation I can give  to anybody in high school who is looking to work somewhere is to get in contact with somebody at MPATC and ask if they know of any opportunities that you could look into. They are helpful and encouraging and you may just find the job of your dreams.

Kelsey Lawrence

MPHS Senior

MPATC Health Occupations Student

As a local company, we take pride in hiring students from MPATC. We have participated several times with the program, and have never been let down. Every student that has worked for us, has surpassed our expectations. We are impressed by the level of professionalism and knowledge of these young adults. MPATC is definitely providing great training and preparing them for the future.

Thank You!

Rachel Fussman, CMS Internet

Employer of MPATC Co-op Students

Being a 2nd year student of health occupations, I really enjoyed the program and highly recommend this course to any student that wants to learn about the healthcare field. You learn the basics such as CPR, First Aid, and vital signs. They even have a related CENA course were you can test, become certified and get a job in healthcare. Mrs. Long and Mrs. Moore are great teachers. You will walk out of here and take everything you learned with you.

Skylar Capriola

Heath Occupations Student

Mt. Pleasant Senior                                                                   

My name is Larry Kokx.  I am a Class of 1990 graduate of MPATC. I would like to consider myself a "success story", and I tribute that success to my education at MPATC. If I may, I would like to share that story with you...

Download the entire Larry Kokx's testimonial here (pdf)

I am a mid tier student in Mrs. Sowle's Pre-Teaching class.  I am amazed and extremely impressed at how well prepared the students are by the time they leave this class.  They are teaching lessons in an actual class, writing journal entries, and building portfolios, which are all things I am doing as a senior in college.  This class (Pre-Teaching) is very beneficial and these students are already ahead of the game!

Rebecca Gascon

CMU Graduate '07

At the age of 16 I got my CENA license through the MPATC and shortly after was hired at a care facility!

Sara O.

Sacred Heart Academy Senior & current MPATC Health Occupations student

Attending the MPATC was an extremely valuable experience for my daughter!  She was able to earn a certificate, get a Co-op job, and receive college credit while she was in high-school.  Their support, guidance, and expertise were tremendously helpful for her career preparation and success!

Julie P.

Parent of a St. Louis High School & MPATC graduate

We recommend hiring students from MPATC.  They are knowledgeable, dependable, and responsible!

Patty M.

Human Resources Manager, TB Woods Inc.

After showing them (employer) my school and M.I.T.E.S. projects they just about flipped.  He looked through them all and hired me on the spot! 

Cody B.

MPATC Graduate

(Breckenridge H.S. - Class of 2005)

Current Delta College student

I signed up for the Early Childhood Education class as a junior in high school. I enjoyed working with children, and I thought it would be a good way to work in that environment. I was considering teaching as a future profession, but I was still exploring my options. Once I started with the class I was able to work with children in a variety of settings. One such setting was a local elementary school. I worked with a second grade for several months. My senior year I took the second year of Early Childhood Education and was able to work in an elementary school the entire year. The experience I received was wonderful. Taking the class at the MPATC solidified that I wanted to be a teacher. I owe a lot to that class for where it has taken me. I just finished my student teaching, and I am ready to become a teacher in my own classroom!

Susie Conway

MPATC Graduate - Early Childhood Education

(Mt. Pleasant H.S. Class of 2001)

I am attending school for a Bachelors of Elementary Education. I am getting close to the end. Winter semester I took 20 credit hours and worked full time. Spring/Summer I am going to do the same. I have also made plans to get my Master’s degree from Wayne State University, as a physician's assistant. I want to teach the theories of medical assisting at a vocational school or in a CNA environment. I've also been researching educational and medical opportunities throughout the United States just in case I decide to move. Hopefully a bachelors will make me more marketable. Here at Kellogg we (another girl and I who has a bachelors of child development) are trying to get a new child center started, I told her we did an assignment like that in your (ECE) class. We've submitted our cost analysis for start up material and caregiver to child ratios. We are doing all right with that. I will keep you posted on if we are approved.

I miss the days at MPATC, it was a growing experience for me. I talk to my co-workers here at U of M/Kellogg, about it, how it shows people career choices without going to college and wasting their money only to find out they really don't want to do this. If I could go back and do it all over again, I may have chosen to do more things at the technical center.

DaNita Martin

MPATC Graduate - Early Childhood Education

(Mt. Pleasant H.S. Class of 2003)

I was more prepared for the homework and knew what was being asked from me because vocational taught me what colleges would be looking for. I also saved all of my vocational homework and portfolios and this has allowed me to look back on them and use them as references and even use some of the same materials from classes there. But most of all I have my teacher to thank, Mrs. Carol Todd. She helped me so much while I was her student and she is still helping me to this day with my college classes. If I have ever had a problem with homework and I needed help I would e-mail her and she would help me out. Mrs. Carol Todd has contributed to my success as a college student in the Early Childhood Education program and I appreciate it more then I can ever say. With the help of Mrs. Carol Todd I have been privileged to be on the Presidents and Dean's Lists many times. Now I am looking forward to graduating in June and getting me a full time job doing what I love...working with children!

Krystle Shelley

MPATC Graduate - Early Childhood Education

(Breckenridge H.S.)

Current Baker College student

I took two years of Interior Design with Mary Kay Voeks.  I am now going for my associates degree in Interior Design at Baker College of Owosso.  I would just like to let you know how great I think the class I took at the MPATC was.  I feel that I am very prepared for, and in many cases, ahead in my classes.  Not only were the in-class projects great, the hand-on experience I got while working on the house is something many designers never get.  I think actually getting involved in the installation makes a better designer.  It also allows me to be more sensitive to what actually has to be done to make my ideas come alive.  I continue to be impresses with what I learned at the MPATC and thought I would let you know.

Marie Bovee (Babcock)

MPATC Graduate - Interior Design

(Coleman H.S.)

Current Baker College student