All Paths Lead to NICC - CareerFocus Consortium

Transcription

Northeast Iowa Community College
Spring 2013 Volume 7 • Number 1
TM
Pathways to Northeast
Iowa Community College:
There’s a Place for Everyone
Page 2
Do My Credits Transfer?
You Bet!
Page 3
Transferring in to NICC
Page 4
Earning Your GED is
The First Step
Page 8
Entering STEM Fields Gives
Graduates the Career Advantage
Page 10
Northeast Iowa Community College
1625 Highway 150
Calmar, IA 52132
ECRWSS
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
NON PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
Academic
Marketing services
All Paths Lead
to NICC
Traditional
NonTradi
tional
Transfer
Dislocated Worker
Continuing E
d.
Veterans
GED
www.nicc.edu/summer
Make the most of
AVERAGE SUMMER BREAK
SUMMER BREAK
!
s
s
a
l
C
a
e
k
Ta
98
3 CONVENIENT NICC SUMMER SESSIONS:
DAYS!
MAY 20- JUNE 6
JUNE 10 - JULY 12
18
AVERAGE NICC SUMMER SESSION
JULY 15 - AUGUST 9
DAYS!
80
DAYS REMAINING TO ENJOY YOUR SUMMER
DAYS!
Be Smart.
Take a Class and Enjoy Summer!
Apply and Register Today!
Learn More.
Calmar Campus: 800.728.2256
Peosta Campus: 800.728.7367
80
DAYS LEFT T
O
E NJ O
Y SU
MM
ER!
an d R
Clas
y
l
p
ses Sta
rt May 20 Ap
egister TODAY!
www.nicc.edu
SAVE
THE
DATE!
Wilder Business Center
Grand Opening
Thursday, April 25 • 4 - 6:30 p.m. • Ribbon Cutting at 4:45 p.m.
Calmar Campus, 1625 Hwy 150 South
Tour the conference facility • View program demonstrations • Experience state-of-the-art technology services • Connect with event planning specialists
This project was partially funded with Federal funds from the
U. S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration.
CareerFocus
CareerFocus is published by Northeast Iowa Community College
as a public service to encourage Northeast Iowa residents to think
seriously about their lives and careers and to inform the community
about the college’s programs of study. For more information, visit
www.nicc.edu.
Admissions/Financial Aid:
Calmar – 800.728.2256, ext. 376
Peosta – 800.728.7367, ext. 401
2
Pathways to Northeast Iowa Community
College: There’s a Place for Everyone
Advising:
Calmar – 800.728.2256, ext. 376
Peosta – 800.728.7367, ext. 294
Registration:
Calmar – 800.728.2256, ext. 233
Peosta – 800.728.7367, ext. 294
Business and Community Solutions:
Calmar – 800.728.2256, ext. 399
Dubuque – 888.642.2338, ext. 380
NICC Board of Trustees
Dr. Ken Reimer, President
Jim Anderson, Vice President
Larry Blatz
Gene Fuelling
Kathy Gunderson
Ronda Kirkegaard
John Rothlisberger
David Schueller
Daniel White
Liang Chee Wee, Ph.D., NICC President
CareerFocus is published twice a year by the Marketing and
Communications office at Northeast Iowa Community College,
1625 Highway 150, Calmar, IA 52132, in partnership with Academic
Marketing Services. Comments are welcome and should be sent to
Shea Herbst, 8342 NICC Drive, Peosta, Iowa, 52068, by email at
[email protected] or by phone at 800.728.7367, ext. 296.
3
Do My Credits Transfer? You Bet!
4
Transferring in to NICC
5
Veterans Find Strong Support at NICC
2
6 Employers and Employees Both Win:
Business and Community Solutions
8 Earning Your GED is The First Step
9 Building Materials
Management Scholarships!
Spahn & Rose Lumber Company
Making it Possible
10 Entering STEM Fields Gives Graduates
the Career Advantage
8
12 A Place for All Ages: Traditional and
Nontraditional Students at NICC
13
Achieve Your Education
and Career Goals
All rights reserved. No part of the material printed may be reproduced
or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information
storage retrieval system without the permission of the publisher.
6
© 2013 Northeast Iowa Community College
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It’s the easy way to share articles,
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College resources and get on the
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I
Peosta - 800.728.7367 Northeast Iowa Community College I www.nicc.edu
CareerFocus I Spring 2013
I1
CareerFocus
Pathways to Northeast Iowa Community
College: There’s a Place for Everyone
N
ortheast Iowa
Community College
(NICC) students
arrive at our doors
through diverse
pathways, and this
issue of Career Focus
highlights many
successful stories of students of
various ages, backgrounds, and
educational and training goals.
Some students enroll at NICC
after discovering that the big
university setting is not the right
fit for them academically, while the
close-knit atmosphere at the NICC
campuses and centers provides
just the right encouragement for
their education.
Other students want to earn an
affordable, flexible transfer degree
I
2 Spring 2013 I CareerFocus to another four-year school after
graduation or complete a General
Educational Development (GED)
diploma to continue their college
studies.
or new grant-funded training
opportunities that open up endless
career possibilities in healthcare,
advanced manufacturing or
information technology.
Others take advantage of
professional training programs
that award certifications to
incumbent and new workers
In this issue, we hope you see
where your educational and career
pathways meet with the rewards
gained from making your dreams
a reality. As your community
college, NICC meets and exceeds
the expectations of students of
all ages: current employees who
want to gain a workforce training
advantage; future professionals
who need a particular course for
certification and recertification;
high school graduates seeking an
associate’s or transfer degree; or
lifelong learners who just want to
take a few classes for fun.
At NICC, we also believe that our
region’s economic success depends
upon the middle- and advanced
skills our community members
have for in-demand careers, as
well as the public and private
sector partnerships that make
this success attainable. NICC
faculty, staff, administrators and
community leaders are committed
to serving every type of student
who walks through our doors.
Lifelong learning is boundless.
Whatever age you are, wherever
you live, and whatever career
you envision for yourself – choose
Northeast Iowa Community
College as your pathway to higher
education.
Northeast Iowa Community College I www.nicc.edu
I Calmar - 800.728.2256
Other
Universities
Do My Credits Transfer? You Bet!
I
t’s one of the most frequently asked questions Northeast Iowa
Community College (NICC) admissions representatives hear
from prospective students: “Will my credits from NICC transfer
to a four-year school?” The answer is a resounding, “Yes!”
Students at NICC earn academic credits during their first two
years that are equal and comparable to virtually any first two
years at a four-year college or university. Also praised for its
affordability, a two-year degree and its credits transfer for NICC
graduates who want to attain a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science
or Bachelor of Applied Science degree later on.
There are more than 75 academic
programs at NICC in areas that
include: Advanced Manufacturing
and Mechanical Technology;
Agriculture and Animal Science;
Business, Communication and
Marketing; Education, Human
and Public Services; Electrical
and Construction Technology;
Health Sciences; and Liberal Arts.
Transfer degrees help to secure
graduates’ progress to their fouryear college destination, and
recent NICC graduates have
found great success with their
start at NICC. Darren Stortz is a
perfect example.
“Transferring to the University
of Iowa was a relatively easy
process. They took all my NICC
credits, and the shift in classroom
size took only a few days to get
used to,” said Stortz, of Decorah,
who graduated from the NICC
Calmar campus in 2010 and from
the University of Iowa in summer
2012. Stortz earned a Bachelor
of Applied Studies degree and
entered the sports reporting and
video production field.
Students at NICC earn
academic credits
during their first two
years that are equal
and comparable to
virtually any first two
years at a four-year
college or university.
Like Stortz, not all high school
graduates are interested in
heading directly to a four-year
college. In fact, spending two
years at NICC is a great way
to save money, become familiar
with college-level academics and
expectations, and increase your
chances of academic success.
Whether you live near NICC
campuses in Calmar or Peosta or
one of the College’s six centers,
you have an opportunity to get a
first-rate education close to home
and earn credits that transfer
to the four-year college or
university of your choice. Transfer
agreements between all three
of Iowa’s regent universities, as
well as many smaller, four-year
private colleges, make attending
NICC a smart, more affordable
decision.
2003 and an Associate of Applied
Science-Dairy Science Technology
degree in 2004, Josh Corcoran,
of Sumner, graduated from Iowa
State University in 2006 and
now contributes his expertise as
a consultant for other dairy farm
producers.
“I really enjoy the position that
I am currently in. I like seeing
dairy producers meet their goals
and seeing them grow. The dairy
industry is changing frequently,
and I enjoy the challenge
of keeping my producers
competitive in the market,” said
Corcoran, who works for Nelson
Dairy Consultants, Inc.
You may find that NICC is just
what you’ve been looking for.
Visit www.nicc.edu/transfer to
learn more!
As one of many examples, NICC
agriculture program alumni have
found that the College’s academic
preparation and rigorous
instruction prepared them for the
demands of a four-year program.
After receiving an NICC Dairy
Science Technology diploma in
I
I3
CareerFocus
Transferring in
to NICC
W
ho, me? One of the most frequent explanations for students
enrolling at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC)
after attending a large university for a brief time is
their discomfort with huge classroom sizes and limited
opportunities for interaction with instructors. These
students liken their university classroom experiences to
being in the coach section of a jumbo jet, in Row 37, and on
a trans-Atlantic flight, no less!
When students find that a
200-student lecture hall is not
conducive to their learning styles,
they enroll at NICC to pursue a
career-oriented diploma, a oneor two-year degree and to learn
in a personalized environment
where instructors know them.
Admissions, counseling, financial
aid and advising staff make
a personal connection with
students to ensure that their
NICC experience is positive and
productive.
Aside from the giant lecture
halls and the “I’m just a number
here” sentiment, another reason
for transferring in to NICC is
a change of heart in a declared
major somewhere else. Students
in this pathway to NICC often
find that enrolling in a diploma or
degree program (or even taking a
few classes) close to home makes
more sense given their evolving
career goals.
NICC offers customized,
individual-focused teaching that
many students find best matches
their needs, and students from
the Regents – University of Iowa,
University of Northern Iowa and
Iowa State University – report
that NICC provides a more local
and relevant education after
spending several semesters at the
larger schools. Several “reverse
transfer” students report that
their experience in the larger
university setting and subsequent
transfer to NICC helped to
re-focus their career goals and
academic perspectives.
Who says you can’t go home?
An NICC campus or center
is probably right in your
neighborhood! To get a new start,
visit www.nicc.edu/apply.
Reverse Transfer Student Brad Powers
Finds Great Success
To meet Brad Powers, a
College (NICC) reverse transfer
student from Iowa State
University, is to encounter
someone with great leadership
skills, poise, character, ambition
– and a gift for persuasion.
The future sales professional,
who is currently putting the
finishing touches on a bachelor’s
degree from the University of
Dubuque, could probably sell you
swampland in Florida.
After graduating from UD in
May with a degree in Computer
Information Systems, the lifelong
Dubuquer is setting his sights
I
4 Spring 2013 I CareerFocus on a sales career and building
a strong client base. He could
enter the technical and
computer sales sector,
but is open to a wide
range of local career
options to apply his
education, which also
includes a minor in
business.
His move from Iowa
State University to
NICC in fall 2011 as a
reverse transfer student
provided Powers
with the supportive
community experience he needed,
he said. “At Iowa State, I didn’t
like the size of the school and
large classrooms. I knew after
only one month that it
wouldn’t be a good fit
for me; I just knew it
wouldn’t work out,” he
said.
As an NICC student
at the Peosta
campus, he sought
out leadership and
service opportunities,
serving as iMPACT
president, the student
representative for
College Senate and
volunteering for two service
learning trips to Denver, Colo.,
and San Francisco, Calif. Powers
then transferred all 64 NICC
credits to UD to work toward a
four-year degree.
“NICC was a really great starting
block for me and had a smaller
environment with smaller
classes. After dropping out at
Iowa State, I truly felt that I
had failed. NICC helped me to
rebuild my confidence, especially
with the service learning trip
opportunities and the student
leadership organization on
campus, iMPACT,” he reflected.
I Calmar - 800.728.2256
CareerFocus
Veterans find Strong
Support at NICC
financial aid available through
NICC to support veterans who are
re-integrating into civilian life,
want to earn a college degree and
get on a pathway to the next step
in their careers.
W
e want you!
The iconic
Uncle Sam
WWII
recruiting
poster that
rallied support
throughout
America at a time of intense
conflict still resonates as a
relevant call to action for U.S.
military veterans who have served
their nation and want to pursue
a college degree at Northeast
Iowa Community College (NICC).
The G.I. Bill has offered this
opportunity for America’s veterans
for decades.
In a post-9/11 America, there
are even greater resources and
After returning from active duty
in the armed forces in Iraq,
Afghanistan and other regions
of the world, many veterans are
finding that NICC offers just the
right environment to re-adjust and
earn college credentials to enter
the workforce or transfer college
credits to continue their education.
Named to G.I. Jobs magazine’s
U.S. Military Friendly Schools
listing for three consecutive years,
NICC offers a range of academic,
financial and support services
to meet the needs of its student
veterans. From the opportunity
to learn at a VA-approved college
that accepts the College Level
Examination Program (CLEP), to
new Student Veterans Association
organizations at the Calmar and
Peosta campuses, NICC offers an
array of support and benefits.
In fact, Jacob Krapfl, a U.S. Army
veteran who served two tours of
duty in Iraq, helped to develop the
new Student Veterans Association
at the College’s Peosta campus.
The association offers service
members opportunities to network,
discuss successes and challenges,
and share their social, academic
and career goals with one another.
Krapfl, who currently teaches in
the Arts and Science Department,
served in the Iraq war from
September 2003 - February 2004
and from December 2004 - March
2005. In 2008, he earned his
Associate of Arts-Education degree
from NICC, and then transferred
to Loras College to complete a
Bachelor of Arts in English and
Creative Writing and a teaching
certification in Secondary
Education. Krapfl emphasizes the
importance for returning veterans
to stay connected and to share
their experiences with others in
the Student Veterans Association
(see Faculty Profile on this page).
Through partnerships with the
private sector, NICC is also
working to expand professional
employment prospects for
returning veterans. In December
2012, Prudential Financial,
Inc. and NICC announced a
partnership to bring Prudential’s
unique veteran training and
employment program run
by Workforce Opportunity
Services (WOS) to Dubuque. The
“VETalent” program is designed to
train Iraq and Afghanistan
war-era veterans for jobs in
corporate America.
VETalent participants are
enrolling in two months of
full-time WOS training at the
NICC Town Clock Center for
Professional Development,
followed by a six- to nine-month
training course at Prudential
that focuses on customer service
and a culture of quality. After
successfully completing the
training, participating veterans
will be placed in consulting
positions at Prudential for several
months before being offered fulltime jobs as customer service
associates with Prudential
Retirement in Dubuque.
NICC recognizes and honors
veterans for their commitment
and service to our nation, and
the College offers many resources,
so all students and student
veterans succeed in the next
step of their journey: to obtain
the advanced training they need
for rewarding employment or to
earn a college degree and continue
their education. For information
on the more than 75 academic
programs at NICC, visit
www.nicc.edu/collegeprograms.
From the Front Lines to the Classroom
Jacob Krapfl wants U.S. military
veterans at Northeast Iowa
Community College (NICC)
to soldier on in their journey
to earn a degree, by helping
veterans make the transition
from military to civilian life.
Service members should
know that assistance – from
financial aid paperwork to group
networking to social outlets
and counseling – is available
at NICC through a new
organization devoted to veterans.
Those are the major objectives
of the Student Veterans
Association (SVA) chapters at
the College’s Calmar and Peosta
campuses. Krapfl, an NICC
alumnus and writing instructor,
I
is a founding member of Peosta’s
group. As an Iraq War veteran
who served two tours of active
combat duty, Krapfl understands
the many issues returning
service members grapple with,
from Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) to the drudgery
of ongoing, often bureaucratic
military paperwork.
Krapfl has big plans for the
Peosta campus SVA chapter. “I’d
love for the group, in the long
term, to become a mainstay of
the larger community and our
college; this is an organization
for veterans to seek out help,
get information on benefits and
for us to eventually work with
county-level Veterans Affairs
organizations,” Krapfl said.
“If veterans are having issues
related to their service and
disability benefits and
any kind of paperwork,
we would like to help.
There is a mountain of
paperwork associated
with military service,
benefits and disability,
financial aid and
college enrollment. Our
leadership can assist
veterans with this,” he
explained.
Krapfl published his
debut novel, “Shadows of War,”
in 2009. The book shared his
wartime experiences in Iraq,
the effect that combat has on
the human psyche and his
struggle with PTSD following
active duty. He currently teaches
three sections of
Foundations of Writing
and one section of
Communication
Skills at the Peosta
campus, and he is
at the midpoint of a
Master of Arts degree
in English through
an online program
at Northwestern
State University of
Louisiana. Jacob and
his wife Sarah, who
plans to graduate from the
NICC Associate Degree Nursing
program this May, have four
children and live in Dubuque.
I5
CareerFocus
Employers and Employees Both Win:
Business and
Community Sol
E
mployers and their
current and future
workers have a
lot to gain from
Northeast Iowa
Community College’s
(NICC) Business
and Community
Solutions division. For job
seekers, employers looking for
workers with specific skill sets,
underemployed workers who want
to earn more and professionals
who seek certification or a career
change, this division puts career
training and employer satisfaction
at the forefront of its mission.
Business and Community
Solutions offers continuing
education, non-credit coursework
and certification options for
community members that greatly
impact their job readiness
and local career advancement
opportunities. In 2012, more
than16,790 individual community
members enrolled in continuing
education classes in the areas
of Adult Literacy, Healthcare,
Life and Leisure, Business,
Trades, Information Technology
and Advanced Manufacturing.
I
6 Spring 2013 I CareerFocus Many more attended Business
and Community Solutionssponsored events, workshops
and conferences to network with
others, enhance their professional
expertise or to just have fun.
This division continues to build
upon a successful story for the
College and community. Since
1985, Business and Community
Solutions has provided more than
$72 million in training programs
for businesses in northeast Iowa!
Business and Community
Solutions offers a variety of
credentialing opportunities
to benefit area employers and
middle-skill job seekers. For
example, the division offers
certification programs in welding,
computerized numerical control
(CNC), advanced manufacturing,
information technology and
healthcare. NICC developed
the certification programs in
direct response to the skills
and credentials employers are
seeking, with the goal of latticing
the certificates into NICC credit
programs for students to earn a
degree or diploma later on.
Certification opportunities
– whether they are daylong,
weeklong or advanced fourmonth training commitments –
are making a difference in the
employment prospects for students
of all ages. Recent high school
graduates, such as Justin Beck of
Dubuque, are finding great local
employment that pays well, offers
benefits and opportunities for
advancement.
Beck completed the Introduction
to Advanced Manufacturing
CNC certification program at the
College’s Peosta campus in 2012
and immediately found a full-time
job at Decker Precision Machining,
also in Peosta. Beck is now a fulltime CNC basic machinist at
Decker whose work tasks include
parts manufacture, monitoring
change offsets in various parts and
quality control.
“I’m fortunate because I know a
lot of my friends from high school
aren’t employed right now, and I
really like this job,” said Beck. “I
do a little bit of everything at the
shop, and the NICC certification
program helped because I didn’t
know anything about machining
work until I took the classes. The
program made it so much easier
for me to learn new things once I
got the job. I’m learning every day,”
he said.
Other certification programs
address middle-skill workforce
shortages in the healthcare field.
The Bridges2Healthcare program
at NICC offers leading edge
instruction for students preparing
for healthcare careers, and the
grant making this possible is only
one of 32 projects nationwide
to receive U.S. Department of
Labor TAACCCT funding in its
first year. Eight other community
colleges and 25 employers in Iowa,
Minnesota and Wisconsin are
also partners with the College,
and their workforce mission is to
qualify 3,000 graduates for careers
in the healthcare field.
Bridges2Healthcare offers a
unique opportunity because the
initiative focuses on both the
non-credit, certification side
coordinated through Business
and Community Solutions and
the College’s academic credit
programs. This overlap is evident
in Bridges2Healthcare programs
that offer Pharmacy Technician
certification and Certified Nurse
Aide (CNA) credentials and the
new Medical Assistant program at
the Peosta campus which awards
an academic degree or diploma to
students upon completion. Other
grant-funded technologies benefit
non-credit and credit students
alike.
I Calmar - 800.728.2256
lutions
The Bridges2Healthcare grant
will provide NICC with health
simulation labs at both the Calmar
and Peosta campuses and will
greatly enhance student learning
and career preparation. In addition
to nursing students, the labs will
be utilized by Emergency Medical
Technician, Respiratory Care and
Radiologic Technology students.
NICC will also use the simulation
labs to provide advanced training
for ongoing, non-credit training for
healthcare professionals throughout
northeast Iowa. This technologically
advanced instruction employs highfidelity simulators, or mannikins,
in a variety of programmable
healthcare scenarios. The
mannikins behave as real human
beings that breathe, bleed, form
secretions, give birth and exhibit
other physiological responses as
part of each student’s learning.
NICC Business and Community
Solutions provides a wealth of
opportunities for community
members and area employers,
and thousands of individuals
turn to this innovative division
annually for their job skills needs,
certification and recertification
requirements and to take personal
interest classes for enjoyment.
To learn more, visit
www.nicc.edu/solutions.
“I didn’t know anything about machining work until I took the
classes. The program made it so much easier for me to learn
new things once I got the job. I’m learning every day.”
-Justin Beck
I
I7
CareerFocus
Earning Your GED is
The First Step
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
“A high school diploma can lead to
a high paying job in many fields,
including those in management
or public service…forty-five
occupations that usually require
no more education than a high
school diploma had median annual
wages of greater than $50,000 in
May 2010.”
NICC Calmar Campus
1625 Hwy 150 S
NICC Cresco Center
1020 2nd Avenue SE
Decorah IowaWORKS
312 Winnebago Street
Dubuque Center for Education
700 Main Street
Dyersville James Kennedy
Public Library
320 1st Avenue E
Manchester United Methodist Church
413 E Butler Street
Monona Murphy Public Library
111 N Page Street
New Hampton High School Library
710 W Main Street
NICC Peosta Campus
8342 NICC Drive
Postville High School
314 W Post Street, Room 101
Postville YMCA
313 W Post Street, Community Room
Regional Academy for Math
and Science (RAMS)/Oelwein Center
1400 Technology Drive
NICC Waukon Center
1220 3rd Avenue, NW, Suite 102
West Union Community Library
210 N Vine Street, ICN Room
For more information, contact the
NICC Adult Literacy Program at
888.642.2338, ext. 105, or
visit www.nicc.edu!
I
8 Spring 2013 I CareerFocus Y
Some of these occupations include
management positions in real
estate, administrative services
and the transportation, storage
and distribution
of products;
other jobs that
require at least
a high school
diploma or GED
are employment
positions in farm
product buying
and purchasing,
sales representatives and
telecommunications installers and
repairers, to name a few.
Solid research backs this claim.
According to the Summer 2012
issue of Occupation Outlook
Quarterly, an employment outlook
report published online by the U.S.
Department of Labor from the
So, if you have not completed
high school and want to find a
job that pays the bills and offers
benefits, earning a GED is the
perfect solution. Many students
have succeeded at Northeast Iowa
Community College (NICC) on
es, you really need a
high school diploma.
The one constant in
research findings,
issued regularly by
the U.S. Department
of Labor and other
workforce agencies,
indicates that workers who do
not have a high school diploma or
General Educational Development
(GED) degree face difficult odds
in their ability to obtain full-time
employment with good pay and
benefits.
this same educational pathway,
earning their GED after dropping
out of high school and continuing
on to enjoy rewarding and
successful careers.
Dr. John Pleggenkuhle, of West
Union, is a great example. “My last
year in high school I was doing
farm work late into the night and
fell short of six or seven credits to
graduate from New Hampton High
School,” Pleggenkuhle recalled. “I
also knew that I wanted to go to
college and wouldn’t get anywhere
without a GED.
It was more or
less a business
decision.”
For so many students,
completing the GED
program at NICC
signals the beginning
of lifelong learning.
With his
high school
math, science
and English
coursework still
fresh in his mind, Pleggenkuhle
enrolled in the GED program at
the Calmar campus in 1993 and
earned his GED a month after his
high school peers had graduated.
He then worked for several years
and returned to the Calmar
campus to work toward his
Business Administration degree,
which he received in 2003.
We’re never too old to learn
News about a December 2012
College (NICC) General
Educational Development (GED)
graduate grabbed local and
national headlines last year.
Why all of the attention and
accolades? Because the 85 yearold GED recipient, Lois Houselog
of Dubuque, became one of the
oldest graduates to earn her high
school equivalency diploma in
the College’s history. Her story of
determination to realize a dream
of earning her GED shines forth
the lesson that we are never too
old to learn.
“I decided to get my GED quite
suddenly. I had thought about it
for many years, and I decided last
summer to get it,” Houselog said
to the audience at the graduation
ceremony on Dec. 12, 2012. “I’ve
been in the GED program at
NICC since October, and I’m really
happy that I earned the degree,”
she said.
Houselog said that her
accomplishment is proof that
everyone can learn and go back
to school for an education at any
age, although the GED test offers
challenges of its own. “The math
part was really difficult for me at
times, especially geometry, which
is a subject I had never had in
school,” she explained.
The octogenarian had only
received a 7th grade education
prior to enrolling in the College’s
GED program last fall. Her
story was initially broadcast on
KWWL-TV and published in the
Telegraph Herald daily newspaper
in Dubuque. Numerous television
news affiliates then carried the
Houselog story in broadcasts
across the country. The GED
graduate received congratulatory
letters from well-wishers across
the U.S. and overseas.
I Calmar - 800.728.2256
Building Materials
Management Scholarships!
The decision to earn his GED right away
helped him to reach his educational
goals and ultimate career goal – to own
a business. After earning his business
degree from NICC, Pleggenkuhle
received Bachelor of Science and Doctor
of Chiropractic degrees from Palmer
College of Chiropractic in Davenport
in 2008 and now owns and operates
Pleggenkuhle Chirporactic in
West Union.
Dr. Pleggenkuhle is one of many
successful GED graduates who
recognized that a high school diploma
leads to further degree attainment and
better options for their futures. A high
school diploma is a nearly universal
requirement for employment and
educational options down the road, and
NICC nurtures this idea by awarding
one free three-credit class at NICC
to all GED graduates. For so many
students, completing the GED program
at NICC signals the beginning of lifelong
learning.
To learn more about the GED program,
call 888.642.2338, ext. 105.
Making it Possible
S
uccessful
communities
in these tough
economic times are
embracing publicprivate sector
partnerships to
realize their mutual
goals and fuel economic growth
and prosperity. Northeast Iowa
Community College (NICC)
students stand to gain in
many ways from this type of
collaboration and teamwork that
achieves shared objectives, both
for graduating students and
employers eager to hire them.
With 27 store locations in Iowa,
Minnesota and Illinois, Spahn
& Rose Lumber Company
has created new scholarship
opportunities this year for NICC
students enrolled in the Building
Materials Management program.
Treasurer Ken Funke hopes
that the new scholarships will
encourage even more students to
enter the construction industry.
“In creating these new
scholarships through Northeast
Iowa Community College, our
company wanted to give back
to the community and offer
students an opportunity to earn
a college degree,” Funke said.
“The scholarships through Spahn
& Rose Lumber Company arrive
at time when many students
may have economic issues
regarding their ability to pay for
college, and these opportunities
help our area to meet its
employment goals. Graduates
could, perhaps, work at our
company after graduation,”
Funke added.
These NICC district-wide
scholarships offer huge
opportunities for future students
and graduates. If you love to
build things and work with
wood and other construction
materials, the Spahn & Rose
Lumber Company scholarships
I
are perfect for you. NICC
students enrolled in the Building
Materials Management program
in the College’s district area are
eligible.
Students in the Building
Materials Management program
train in construction, marketing,
business and general education
to qualify for supervisory and
management positions in lumber
retail outlets, small stores
where lumber products are sold
or distributed, and sales and
management in wholesale supply
organizations.
district and surrounding
communities, including its
corporate office in Dubuque and
locations in Cresco, Decorah,
Dyersville, Edgewood, Monticello
and West Union. For more
information on the company and
its commitment to our area’s
professional workforce, visit
www.spahnandrose.com.
For information on scholarships
available to NICC students,
contact Barb O’Hea, Director
of the NICC Foundation, at
800.728.7367, ext. 284, or visit
www.nicc.edu/scholarships.
Spahn & Rose Lumber
Company’s 27-yard locations
offer many employment
possibilities in the College’s
“The scholarships through Spahn & Rose
Lumber Company arrive at time when
many students may have economic issues
regarding their ability to pay for college,
and these opportunities help our area to
meet its employment goals.”
Ken Funke
Spahn & Rose Lumber Company Treasurer
I9
CareerFocus
Entering STEM Fields Gives Graduates
the Career Advantage
The Laboratory Science Technician
(formerly Chemical Technician)
I
10 Spring 2013 I CareerFocus There are compelling reasons for
students of all ages, male and
female, to become graduates in
STEM field education: employers
in northeast Iowa need employees
with this science skill-set and
Laboratory Science Technician
graduates can look forward to
a State of Iowa median annual
salary of $40,620 and Industrial
Maintenance Technician grads
can expect to earn $46,960 after
completing these high-tech
programs.
NICC also offers STEM education
for our area’s middle and high
school students. Are you a
young learner and interested
in STEM careers? Project Lead
the Way courses are offered
throughout the year for students
at the Regional Academy for
Math and Science (RAMS)/
Oelwein Center in Oelwein. The
Northeast Iowa Community College’s Top Earning Salaries for Graduates in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Programs in District
0
Associate
Degree
Nursing
(R.N.)
Chemical
Technician
(Laboratory
Science
Technician)
CNC
Machinist
Technician
Electrician
(CommercialResidential and
Industrial)
Heating and Air
Conditioning
(HVAC)
$46,960
$20,000
$46,980
$40,000
$45,930
$60,000
$36,010
Another new program, Associate
of Applied Science-Industrial
Maintenance Technician at the
Peosta campus, trains students to
repair and maintain all aspects
of technologically-advanced
workplace environments, from
boiler systems to basic electrical
circuitry.
knowledge base. Labor agencies
cite recent employment research
on skilled worker needs in STEM
fields as an example (see chart
below for salary information).
$40,620
These new NICC programs do
more than train you to work a fulltime job, punch a time clock and
get a paycheck that gets you out of
bed every day; NICC graduates of
Science, Technology, Engineering
and Math (STEM) programs can
look forward to a new day in greatpaying, rewarding, professional
and meaningful careers close
to home. Several new NICC
programs are providing students
with the advanced training they
need to excel in school and in their
future careers.
program at the NICC Calmar
campus prepares students
for careers in research and
experimental laboratories with
private companies, government
agencies, universities and
hospitals. Graduates have an
opportunity for specialization
in the fields of food processing,
production of drugs, or renewable
energy. Graduates may also
transfer their credits to fouryear colleges that offer degrees,
including forensic science.
$53,300
I
f you enjoy forensic science,
chemistry lessons that have
a real-world purpose, new
inventions and engineering
concepts, or even have a
casual interest in television’s
varied crime scene
investigation dramas, a
degree in one of several Northeast
Iowa Community College (NICC)
programs could be the fresh career
start you envision.
Industrial
Maintenance
Technician
The top earning STEM careers shown above are offered at Northeast Iowa Community College’s Calmar and/or Peosta
campuses, and their wage data was gathered from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment
Statistics Survey, Iowa Wages and Income, in January 2013.
I Calmar - 800.728.2256
“Here in Iowa our most active economic sectors heavily depend on a robust STEM talent pool. Most of Iowa’s
high demand occupations for the period 2008-2018 are in the STEM fields of information technology, financial
systems, medical science and advanced manufacturing…Iowa’s STEM employment sector is projected to grow
more and pay better than any other job sector through 2018.”
Iowa Workforce Development, 2011
facility includes three traditional
classrooms, two science labs, one
fully-networked computer lab, one
Project Lead the Way lab and an
Iowa Communications Network
classroom. RAMS seeks to increase
the STEM skills among young
students and provides a full range
of NICC credit, non-credit and
professional development offerings
for area community members of all
ages and educational goals.
If you want to get serious about
science, technology and promising
local careers in STEM fields,
College has a variety of solutions
and possibilities in mind for you.
Consider a new career pathway
that embraces science and
technology fields!
For more information, visit
In addition to Oelwein schools,
other participating Project Lead
the Way schools include Starmont,
West Central, Wapsi Valley, Kee
High at Lansing, Western Dubuque
and West Delaware. Cresco High
School will begin the program next
fall, along with Waukon and North
Fayette, pending grant acceptance.
“As long as chemistry is studied, there will be a periodic table. And even if someday we communicate
with another part of the universe, we can be sure that one thing both cultures will have in common is an
ordered system of the elements that will be instantly recognizable by both intelligent life forms.”
John Emsley, Nature’s building blocks: an A-Z guide to the elements
I
I 11
CareerFocus
A Place for
All Ages:
Traditional and Nontraditional
Students at NICC
C
ome one, come all.
Northeast Iowa
Community College
(NICC) welcomes
all community
members, whether
they are high school
students who want
to earn college credit, recent high
school graduates looking to get
ahead with a competitive degree
while saving money, or adult
learners who have not set foot in a
classroom in 20 years. For career
preparation and a great first
college, NICC may be the answer
for your educational and career
goals.
Traditional students in the
community college setting are
defined as 18-24 years of age, and
students over 24 are officially
termed as nontraditional. Beyond
that narrow definition, there
is nothing commonplace about
the successful NICC student
and graduate of any age. NICC
students enroll at the college
because, regardless of their age,
they have clear future goals.
Students want to transfer their
credits to a four-year school;
enroll and become nurses, medical
assistants and respiratory
therapists; develop their computer
science and programming skills;
or pursue any number of careeroriented programs that NICC
offers.
High school students comprise
a large portion of the overall
enrollment picture at NICC. For
families of high school students
throughout the College’s eightcounty service area, the ability
to take college courses through
NICC saves thousands of dollars
in tuition annually. As of this
semester, 40% of all students at
I
12 Spring 2013 I CareerFocus the College are current high school
students enrolled in credit courses
and attending classes on an NICC
campus or center, online or at their
own high schools.
Students who take college-level
courses at NICC also derive the
added benefit of learning in an
accredited program. Last year, the
National Alliance of Concurrent
Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP)
gave full accreditation to these
concurrent enrollment agreements
between high schools and NICC.
This accreditation ensures that
college courses offered in high
school settings are of the same
quality and rigor as courses
offered at an NICC campus, center
or online.
The nontraditional student may
be statistically defined by his or
her age, but an individual’s career
path and reason for enrolling
at NICC often proves to be the
more defining characteristic.
Women who enroll in programs
to prepare for careers that are
more commonly held by men,
for example, may also be termed
nontraditional.
Jenny Smith, an NICC alumna
from Dorchester, graduated from
several programs in 2012. She
earned a diploma in the NICC
Commercial and Residential
Electrician program and Associate
of Applied Science degrees in
Industrial Electrician and Wind
Turbine Repair Technician.
She now works full-time for
Voltmer Electric in Decorah as
an apprentice electrician and is
enjoying every minute of it.
“I am currently pursuing an
apprenticeship and gaining
work experience through my
employer in preparation for the
Journeyman’s Exam in two years’
time. At Voltmer Electric, I work
in the commercial and residential
field. I helped to remodel an eight
story building by running wire,
terminating devices, installing
light fixtures and troubleshooting,”
said Smith. “I use everything that
I’ve learned at NICC at my job.”
There is nothing really
“traditional,” “nontraditional” or
“ordinary” about students at NICC.
The pathways to an NICC location
and the rigorous instruction
students can expect prepare
everyone of all ages for their fouryear transfer plans to colleges
and universities or to begin the
professional career of their dreams!
For more information on
over 75 programs, visit
“Age is a question of mind over matter. If you
don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige, 1906 - 1982
Major League Baseball pitcher
(At the age of 60, Paige took the mound for the last time, throwing three shutout innings for the Kansas City Athletics.)
I Calmar - 800.728.2256
CareerFocus
Achieve Your Education and
Career Goals
N
College (NICC) offers more than
75 programs of study that provide
you with endless opportunities.
Our expert faculty give you the
specialized attention you need in
classes that have around
17 students. Many programs enable
you to start your career after graduation, giving
you the necessary skills for many in-demand
occupations. These programs also give you the
preparation you need to continue your education.
NICC also offers many benefits to graduates
whose goal is to attend a four-year school
immediately after earning their associate’s
degree. We have many transfer agreements
with area colleges and universities, which will
help you seamlessly transfer to a four-year
institution. Starting your education at NICC
by earning your associate’s degree will save
you thousands in tuition dollars. Let Northeast
Iowa Community College help you achieve your
education and career goals!
NICC Credential
Gives you
Length of program
Certificate
Additional skills to help you move up with a promotion
6 courses / 1 semester*
Diploma
The skills you need to move into an entry-level job
11 courses / 2 semesters*
Associate of Applied Science Degree
The credential required or preferred by some employers for employment
Associate of Arts Degree/Associate of Science Degree
The coursework you need to transfer to a four-year college
*Reflects average program length and is based on full-time status.
NICC A to Z Index
What follows is an alphabetical listing of programs and areas of study offered by Northeast Iowa Community College.
Visit NICC at www.nicc.edu/collegeprograms for more information.
Associate in Arts (C, P, O)
Agriculture Production (C)
The AA general degree transfers the first two years of courses toward a Bachelor of Arts degree at most
colleges and universities. The general education courses are useful regardless of whether students
complete their education at NICC or continue at another college.
Designed to train people to work in the agriculture production industry.
Award: Associate of Applied Science, Diploma (in Applied Agriculture Studies)
State of Iowa Median Salary Range*: $30,560
Award: Associate of Arts
State of Iowa Median Salary Range*: transfer degree
Accounting Clerk (O)
Develop skills to work as an accounting clerk, bookkeeper, cost accounting clerk or payroll clerk.
Students can continue their studies in the Accounting Specialist program.
Award: Diploma
Accounting Specialist (C, P)
Builds advanced skills in cost accounting, general accounting and other areas of financial reporting.
Award: Associate of Applied Science
Administrative Assistant (C, P)
Animal Science (C )
Students enrolling in this program can expect to immediately enter into the workforce after completion of
their two-year degree or transfer to a four-year college to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree.
Award: Associate of Science
Associate in Science (C, P, O)
Receive preparation in high quality technical and general education courses that readily transfer toward a
general Bachelor of Science degree program at a four-year institution.
Associate Degree Nursing (C, P)
Students will take upper-level courses in management, law, computers and accounting, as well as
coursework in human relations and business communication. Students may transfer up to two years of
credits to several colleges.
Learn to assess, plan, implement and evaluate all aspects of a client’s health care needs and gain clinical
experience in hospitals, home health care, long-term care facilities and community settings. After earning
the two-year degree, graduates can complete the licensure exam to be a Registered Nurse (RN) or enroll
in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Agriculture (C, P)
Automotive Mechanics (P)
This degree provides a course of study which will readily transfer to many agricultural Bachelor of
Science majors.
Basic auto repair and the use of modern diagnostic equipment comprise this one-year program. Students
will be able to complete the ASE certification exam in several areas.
Award: Diploma
Agriculture Business (C, O)
Automotive Technology (C )
Develop the technical, agricultural skills necessary in agribusiness, as well as communications, human
relations, management and sales. Students can earn a certificate in Ag Environmental Science, Ag Office
Technician, Agronomy Custom Application, Animal Science, Crop Advisor, Dairy, Manager & Marketing
and Precision Agriculture.
Award: Associate of Applied Science, Certificate
Develop expertise in maintaining, diagnosing and repairing technologically advanced vehicles in this
two-year program. Students will be eligible to complete the ASE certification in exam in several areas.
C=Calmar • P=Peosta • O=Online
I
I 13
Beef Science Technology (C)
Computer Analyst-Network Administration & Tech Support Option (P)
Through hands-on experience, students will learn genetics, artificial insemination, pasture, feedlot and
nutrition management, as well as the practical skills of farm financial management, record keeping and
marketing. An on-the-job internship experience turns classroom knowledge into real world experience.
Network administrators design, install and support an organization’s network or Internet system, as
well as maintain network hardware and software, analyze problems, and monitor the network to ensure
availability to users. Technical support specialists investigate and resolve problems with computers. They
listen to issues, find solutions and write technical reports.
Building Materials Management (C, P)
Market and manage material supplies for the construction field. A new scholarship opportunity is
available through Spahn & Rose Lumber Company to support students entering the program.
Award: Diploma
Business Administration (C, P, O)
An excellent beginning for students who are planning to pursue a professional degree in accounting,
finance, management, marketing, human resources, business education and computer science.
Business Specialist (C, P, O)
Develop general business skills in areas such as accounting, marketing, management, supervision and
business law.
Carpentry (C, P)
Develop skills in basic residential and light commercial carpentry. Receive hands-on experience as part of
a team that will build a home. You can earn certificates in Cabinet Making, Finishing, Floor and Framing,
and Foundation Skills.
Award: Diploma, Certificate
Chemical Technician (Laboratory Science Technician) (C)
Students use state-of-the-art chemical lab instrumentation to learn
routine to complex chemical laboratory procedures and processes.
An internship in a food processing industry, pharmaceutical lab
or biofuels manufacturing industry offers real world experience to
develop technical knowledge and skills.
Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) Machinist Technician (P)
Being trained as an all-around machinist provides students with the opportunity for employment throughout
the region and across the country. Competency-based instruction includes safe operation of engine lathes,
milling machines, grinders, saws, drills and hand tools. Students will learn to operate computerized
numerical control (CNC) machines. Student initiative is emphasized in the development of speed, accuracy
and safety to prepare for successful employment in machining occupations after graduation.
Award: Diploma
Commercial-Residential Electrician (C)
Learn about alternating and direct current, National Electrical Code, electrical design, motor control
principles and motor repair. Students receive hands-on experience as part of a home construction project
each year.
Award: Diploma
Communication (C, P, O)
Get on a career path for a professional degree in business, education, journalism, media, public relations
and other communications related areas.
Companion Animal Science (C)
Students enrolling in this program can expect to immediately enter into the workforce after completion of
their two-year degree or transfer to a four-year college to pursue their Bachelor of Science degree.
Computer Analyst-Business & Web Programming Option (P)
Computer programmers design code, test and debug computer programs, and review and update existing
programs as changes are needed. Web designers develop, manage and maintain web sites and overall
Internet presence for an organization.
Computer Applications Technician (C, O)
Students develop skills in electronic data entry, access, construction and manipulation of data that will
make them valued employees at any business. Graduates may elect to continue into the Administrative
Assistant program or continue their education in other computer related areas.
Award: Diploma
Computer Technology (C)
Be able to manage computer systems, databases and gain a foundation in math, physics, electricity,
electronics and computer networking.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Specialist (P)
In less than one year, students learn to make two- and three- dimensional computer generated drawings,
blueprints, computer animation and simulation.
Award: Certificate
State of Iowa Median Salary Range*: $30,160 (NICC alumni survey data)
Construction Technology (P)
Students will increase their skills and improve advancement opportunities through hands-on construction
experience, communications, business and math.
Cosmetology (C)
Earn an Associate of Applied Science degree or a diploma in the NICC full service salon. The two-year
program provides a strong foundation with theory and salon experience. After successfully completing the
licensure exam, students can work in an established salon or become a salon owner.
Award: Associate of Applied Science, Diploma
Criminal Justice (C, P, O)
Provides a course of study which will readily transfer to most four-year colleges and universities. This is
a useful beginning to get a start in law enforcement, criminal and juvenile justice systems, corrections or
security.
Dairy Science (C)
Students enrolling in this program can expect to transfer to a four-year college with junior status after
completion of their two-year degree.
Dairy Science Technology (C)
This program is designed for students entering a dairy career
or transferring for a four-year degree. Earn 120 hours of
hands-on experience in a 200-cow, state-of-the art training
facility. Students can earn certificates in Dairy Breeding
Specialist, Dairy Feeding Specialist and Dairy Health
Specialist.
Dental Assisting (P)
Students train to assist dentists in all phases of dentistry, including general and specialty chair-side
procedures, materials, radiology, lab procedures and business office management.
Award: Diploma
Diesel Mechanics (P)
Students prepare to work as comprehensive mechanics skilled in performing work on all systems of
diesel vehicles.
Award: Diploma
I
14 Spring 2013 I CareerFocus Northeast Iowa Community College I www.nicc.edu
I Calmar - 800.728.2256
Early Childhood (C, P)
HIT - Coding Specialist (P, O)
Enter the early child education field as an assistant or lead teacher in a day care, preschool or Head Start
program, and, with experience, in a position as a director. This is an excellent first step if planning to earn
a four-year degree in early childhood or elementary education.
Award: Associate of Arts, Diploma
This program is designed for students who want to be employed in health care settings to do coding
activities for health care reimbursement purposes.
Award: Diploma
Median Salary from AHIMA website: $43,359
Education (C, P, O)
Human Services (C, P)
Students can complete their first two years of a teaching degree and complete general education courses
and receive specialized education instruction.
Prepares students for work in human service as a counseling staff member or youth care supervisor.
Graduates may transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a degree in psychology, social work,
sociology, special education or substance abuse.
Electroneurodiagnostic Technology (C, P)
Human Services Generalist (C, P)
Technologists record and study electrical activity of the brain and nervous system using a variety of
techniques and equipment. This program is in cooperation with Eastern Iowa Community College.
Prepares students to enter the workplace in human services agencies, services and delivery systems.
Electronic Technology (P)
Industrial Electrician (C)
This two-year program combines science, engineering and math. Students learn to solve problems in the
development, manufacture and service of electronic equipment and systems.
Prepares students for employment as an electrician in an educational institution, a utility, municipal, state
or federal agency, food processing plant, manufacturing facility and other businesses that rely on the
skills and experience of qualified electricians.
Enology (C, P, O)
Industrial Maintenance Technician (P)
Provides students with the necessary skills to enter the field of wine-making either as an entrepreneur or
a skilled worker for an established winery. A certificate in Enology is also offered.
Award: Associate of Applied Science, Diploma, Certificate
The Industrial Maintenance Technician program is designed to provide students with the knowledge,
skills and abilities to successfully respond to a broad range of work requirements and duties within
industrial, manufacturing, processing and building maintenance environments. The program provides
students with the high demand skill sets necessary to install, repair, and perform diagnostics functions
and preventive maintenance.
Entrepreneurial Cosmetology (C, P, O)
The degree provide students with the training required to successfully open and operate a cosmetology
business.
Fire Fighting Specialist (C, P)
The program is designed for firefighters affiliated with an existing paid or volunteer fire department.
Emphasis is placed on specialized fire fighting courses offered through the Iowa Fire Service Training
Bureau and the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS).
Gas Utility Construction & Service (P)
Prepares students to install, maintain and operate high and low
pressure natural gas distribution systems for residential areas,
and commercial and industrial companies.
Graphic Design (P)
A design-based educational program that equips students with the skills and materials necessary to
compete for professional design positions upon graduation or continue their education at a four-year
institution.
Health Information Technology (C, P, O)
Health information technicians are responsible for maintaining
health information in a manner consistent with current medical,
administrative, ethical, legal and regulatory requirements. A
primary job function is coding of health care data for research
and reimbursement.
Median Salary from AHIMA website: $43,359
Heating and Air Conditioning (P)
Students learn to install and repair heating and air conditioning equipment in this one-year program.
Award: Diploma
Industrial Technology Teacher Education (C)
Students in the program earn an Associate of Science degree from NICC and a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Secondary Teacher Education with a 7-12 teaching endorsement in Industrial Technology from Upper
Iowa University.
John Deere TECH (C)
Students receive classroom and lab experiences on John Deere products and a unique opportunity to
work at a John Deere dealership. The program is supported by John Deere Company, Kansas City branch,
and operated by NICC.
Large Animal Veterinary Technician (C)
A large animal veterinary technician performs animal medical care under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Designed to meet veterinarian technical certification, students in this program will gain knowledge
through coursework and hands-on experience with a focus on livestock.
Law Enforcement (C, P, O)
Graduates will work with police departments, sheriffs’ offices, highway patrol departments, narcotics
bureaus, correctional institutions, crime prevention laboratories, or industry and private investigation
services.
Legal Assistant/ Paralegal (P)
Students in the program prepare for a professional career in the legal field. This degree qualifies
graduates for the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) exam, and credits earned in the
program are transferable to a four-year college or university.
Management Information Systems (P, O)
This program prepares students to enter the workforce or transfer to a computer-related major at a fouryear college or university.
State of Iowa Median Salary Range*: transfer degree or $44,220
I
I 15
Marketing Management (P)
Pre-Veterinary Medicine (C)
Class work and on-the-job training teaches students the skills needed for retail operation and
management functions.
Graduates may transfer to Iowa State University as a junior after completing this two-year program and
earn a four-year degree in veterinary school. Students complete their general education requirements and
are trained in dairy cattle management at a 200-cow dairy herd and training center.
Massage Therapy (C)
Prepares students for entry-level work in hospitals, chiropractic offices, health clubs, spas, salons, pain
management centers, sports medicine and private practice.
Award: Diploma
State of Iowa Median Salary Range*: $25,365 (Based upon 20-25 hour work week;
data collected from Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals website.)
Psychology (C, P, O)
This program provides students with a solid educational foundation to work toward a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Psychology.
Medical Assistant (P)
Radiologic Technology (P)
Medical assistants are allied health professionals who perform administrative and clinical functions that
support the services of physicians and other health practitioners in a medical office setting.
The Radiologic Technology program prepares students for work in a hospital, clinic or a physician’s office
producing diagnostic X-rays.
Medical Laboratory Technician (C, P)
Respiratory Care (P)
Graduates work under the supervision of a medical technologist, pathologist or other qualified physician
and perform tests to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Working closely with physicians, graduates will be involved
in the comprehensive care management of patients with
heart and lung disease.
Medical Transcriptionist (C, P, O)
Graduates translate and edit recorded dictation by physicians and other health care providers. During the
program, students learn the language of medicine, human biology, diagnostic procedures and treatment.
Award: Diploma
Office Technology: General (C)
Surgical Technology (P)
The office assistant is able to interpret the needs of the employer, maintain poise and friendliness, and
apply good human relations principles at all times.
Award: Diploma
The Surgical Technology program prepares students to work in operating rooms or in ambulatory
surgery areas. Students will work in the scrub (sterile field), circulating (outside the sterile field) or as
first assistant, directly assisting a surgeon. This program is in cooperation with Kirkwood Community
College.
Office Technology: Medical (P)
Tourism (P)
The office assistant in a medical environment is able to interpret the needs of the employer, maintain
poise and friendliness, and apply good human relations principles at all times.
Award: Diploma
Students develop their skills in the hospitality and travel industry in this program and are prepared for
immediate employment in an entry-level position.
Award: Certificate
Office Technology: Secretarial (P)
Viticulture Technology (C, P, O)
The office assistant in a secretarial capacity is able to interpret the needs of the employer, maintain poise
and friendliness, and apply good human relations principles at all times.
Award: Diploma
Provides graduates with the necessary skills to enter the field of grape growing, either as an entrepreneur
or a skilled worker for an established vineyard. A certificate in Viticulture is also offered.
Award: Associate of Applied Science, Diploma, Certificate
Paraeducator Certification (C, P, O)
Graduates of the program provide support and assistance to teachers and students in a wide range of
educational and community service settings. Paraeducators have an opportunity to work with children,
especially those with disabilities.
Award: Certificate
Paramedic (P)
Students learn to evaluate and manage ill or injured people at pre-hospital and emergency sites. As
graduates, paramedics work with other highly trained people to provide quality emergency care in the
least amount of time. Students may also earn an EMT-Basic certificate.
Welding (P)
Welding students have opportunities to repair, perform fabrication or construction in a variety of
industries.
Award: Diploma
Wind Turbine Repair Technician (C)
This program prepares students for employment in various sectors of the wind energy industry.
Students will learn the fundamentals of site acquisition, design, construction, turbine service, operation,
preventative maintenance and repair.
State of Iowa Median Salary Range*: $36,710.
Practical Nursing (C, P)
This program offers classroom, lab and clinical experiences
that prepare graduates for employment in hospitals, nursing
homes and a variety of other health care facilities.
Award: Diploma
*All salaries from this source unless otherwise noted: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey; Iowa Wages and Income
I
16 Spring 2013 I CareerFocus Northeast Iowa Community College I www.nicc.edu
I Calmar - 800.728.2256
www.nicc.edu/foundation
r
a
d
n
e
l
a
C
r
u
Mark Yo
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E
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FO
The Northeast Iowa Community College Foundation
Golf Tournament and Scholarship Fundraiser
32nd Annual Calmar Tournament
Saturday, June 8 | South Winn Golf & Country Club
22nd Annual Peosta Tournament
Monday, June 24 | Thunder Hills Country Club
www.nicc.edu/collegeprograms
For more information on the Foundation Golf Tournaments
visit www.nicc.edu/foundation or call 800.728.7367, ext. 203.
Explore the Possibilities!
*
Learn more about the NEW programs
NICC has to offer.
• IndustrialMaintenance
• ChemicalTechnician
(LaboratoryScienceTechnician)
• MedicalAssistant
• BeefScience
• LargeAnimalVeterinaryTechnician
FormoreinformationonallofNortheastIowaCommunity
Collegeprogramsvisitwww.nicc.edu/collegeprograms.
Apply Today.
www.nicc.edu/apply
www.nicc.edu/distancelearning
You could earn your degree here.
Your internet connection can open the door to a new career. Northeast Iowa Community College
offers more than 20 programs completely online. Earn your degree anywhere, anytime.
Apply Today!
Calmar Campus 800.728.2256 | Peosta Campus 800.728.7367

All Paths Lead to NICC - CareerFocus Consortium

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