MCC hosts Mar. 25 Health Occupations Open House
Wednesday / March 9, 2016
Dental Assisting student working in the MCC Dental Clinic.
Job opportunities continue to be abundant in the fields of Practical Nursing (LPN), Associate Degree Nursing (RN), Medical Assisting or working in a Medical Office. Healthcare careers are among the most in-demand, both in Iowa and across the country, of any field. Because interest in these programs is so high, Marshalltown Community College will host a Health Occupations Open House on Friday, March 25, from 1 to 4 pm in MCC room 536 (enter from the southeast side of campus through Door 9, marked Buena Vista University).
The Open House will provide an opportunity for those interested in healthcare occupations to learn more about the educational training programs for these specific career areas, meet with the MCC faculty and some currently-enrolled students, and (if ready) begin the process of applying for admission. Refreshments will be served, gift bags will be given away, and participants who plan to enroll in Fall 2016 can register to win one of two $500 scholarships.
MCC Dental Assisting student Vicki Melgoza of Marshalltown liked the fact that the training program was fairly short-term. “I tried going to college while caring for three toddlers and it just didn’t work. I’ve bounced around some labor-intensive jobs and telemarketing jobs, but I realized I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life. So I decided to enroll at MCC. It’s hard work, but I’m learning so much! I want to prove to myself and to anyone watching me that I CAN do this. If I had one piece of advice to give it would be don’t waste your time in a job you don’t enjoy. It only takes one year in a program like Dental Assisting, and your life completely changes for the better!”
Medical Assisting student Chasity Cameron concurs: “I wanted to go into healthcare, and Medical Assisting was a shorter training program than Nursing. And the flexible schedule appealed to me as a mother of two little boys. I feel like I have a career path now, not just a job. This is something my kids will be proud of. A lot of people think they can’t afford to go back to school, but I received Pell grants that have paid for almost all of my tuition. Between federal grants and scholarships, my entire year of classes was covered!”
Linda Hanson, Associate Dean of Health Occupations, says stories like this are inspirational, and also fairly typical among MCC students. “We’re a smaller college, so we know our students and their stories. We work hard to make sure all of our students are successful, and we have the pleasure of watching our students strive to do their very best in and out of the classroom. It’s what keeps all of us in the Health Occupations division so passionate about what we do.”
“We know there’s great interest in healthcare occupations right now, and rightfully so with all of the career opportunities available,” Hanson continues. “We encourage everyone to come to our open house, learn more, meet the faculty, and get their questions answered. This really is the perfect time to get the ball rolling!”
Students who want to attend MCC but can’t get to the Mar. 25 Open House can attend a similar open house at Ellsworth Community College on Tuesday, Mar. 22, from 1 to 4 pm in McClure Hall on the main ECC campus in Iowa Falls. Prospective students will be able to get information and register for the appropriate campus scholarship giveaway.