Inside Career Technical Education

On this edition of Inside Career Technical Education, host Ann Baldwin speaks with Paul Peterson, graduate of Porter and Chester Institute’s Electronics Program and Senior Director of Operations at Jones Lang LaSalle in Connecticut. Paul walks us through his successful journey of postsecondary education which began right out of high school. Paul talks about why he was drawn to Porter and Chester’s “hands-on” Electronics Technology Program, and why it is the perfect time for people to consider a career in the skilled trades including Electrical, HVAC, Security, and Telecom. For more information on what Porter and Chester has to offer, check out www.porterchester.edu.

On this episode of our "Inside Career Technical Education" host Ann Baldwin is joined by Matt Codrington, a graduate of Porter and Chester Institute's Dental Assisting program. After spending time in the field as a dental assistant, Matt began instructing in the program at our Chicopee campus, where he quickly found a passion for helping new students achieve their goals.

In this episode of our "Inside Career Technical Education" podcast, host Ann Baldwin is joined by YTI Career Institute Dental Assisting program director Lisa Brown. Following 15+ years in her career as a Dental Assistant and Expanded Function Dental Assistant, Lisa began instructing in the Dental Assisting program at YTI. We highlight the importance of the Dental Assistant in the dental office and how the flexible, real-world training at YTI prepares graduates for their new careers!

On this episode of "Inside Career Technical Education", co-hosts Ann Baldwin and Porter and Chester Institute President/CEO Jim Bologa welcome Cedric Saysay to the podcast! Cedric took the leap from the finance industry to training in Computer Aided and Drafting Design. After years working in the field, Cedric returned to Porter and Chester Institute to help new students pursue their passions! Learn more about career training at PCI at PorterChester.edu.

On this episode of our "Inside Career Technical Education" podcast, YTI Career Institute President and CEO Jim Bologa and co-host Ann Baldwin are joined by U.S. Navy veteran Eric Blacker to discuss his path as an adult learner to a career in electronics. Eric followed the hybrid learning in our Electronics Engineering Technology program with a real-world, hands-on externship, and now enjoys a full-time, 9 to 5 job in his new career!

On this episode of our "Inside Career Technical Education" podcast, hosts Ann Baldwin and Jim Bologa, President and CEO of YTI Career Institute, are joined by Adam Faight, Director of Learning and Design at YTI Career Institute, to introduce our new Cybersecurity program. Adam covers all the details of the curriculum and highlights opportunities for employment in this career.

On this episode of our "Inside Career Technical Education" podcast, hosts Ann Baldwin and Jim Bologa, President and CEO of Porter and Chester Institute, visit with Dyquan McCray, a 2022 Graduate of the HVACR program at Porter and Chester Institute. Dyquan began his post-high school journey at a community college and working at restaurants before finding his niche in the hands-on trade of HVACR. Dyquan started without any experience with tools and mechanics, but quickly found a career path he is excited about. Continued success Dyquan!

2023 is the perfect time to learn something new! On this episode of our "Inside Career Technical Education" podcast, hosts Ann Baldwin and Jim Bologa, President and CEO of Porter and Chester Institute and YTI Career Institute, offer their view of career training in 2023. Now is the time to set your education goals for the new year! Visit PorterChester.edu to learn more about our program offerings.

On this episode of our "Inside Career Technical Education" podcast, co-hosts Ann Baldwin and Porter and Chester Institute President and CEO Jim Bologa announce the launch of PCI's Welding program at our New London, CT campus. Program Coordinator and Lead Instructor Peter Barber highlights the experience he brings to the program, the program's curriculum, and how students can progress through a variety of welding specialties. We also talk about the shift to an interest in skilled trades and welding careers and the opportunities for professional welders!

On this episode of our Inside Career and Technical Education podcast, hosts Ann Baldwin and YTI Career Institute President and CEO Jim Bologa are joined by Brandon Tharp. Brandon is a graduate of our HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) program and has been working in the field for the past seven years with the employer who first hired him after graduating at YTI! After high school, Brandon found that college isn't for everyone, and YTI's hands-on training provided a pathway to employment in a career he enjoys. Continued success Brandon! To learn more about the HVACR program at YTI Career Institute, visit https://yti.edu/programs/hvacr.

On this episode of “Inside Career Technical Education'', hosts Jim Bologa and Ann Baldwin speak with Faith Smith, a graduate of the Veterinary Technician program at YTI Career Institute. While the program and life circumstances challenged Faith, she shares just how rewarding it is to be in this field. There is certainly plenty of room for career growth in this field and Faith is an example of that. Listen to Faith’s journey and how the program's hands-on experience has prepared her for an exciting career. Visit www.yti.edu for more information on the Veterinary Technician Program at YTI.

On this episode of "Inside Career Technical Education," hosts Ann Baldwin and Porter and Chester Institute and YTI Career Institute President/CEO Jim Bologa speak with Steven Rothberg, founder of College Recruiter, a job search website serving students and recent graduates with 0-3 years of experience. Steven gives great insight into the need for new employment candidates in healthcare and skilled trades and offers tips for standing out in the job search market! Check out CollegeRecruiter.com for info.

On this episode of "Inside Career Technical Education," hosts Ann Baldwin and YTI Career Institute President/CEO Jim Bologa speak with 23-year-old John Amos, a graduate of the Computer Systems Specialist Program at YTI’s York campus. John shares how through career training and hard work, he quickly found a career in the IT field following high school. As a Systems Administrator, John oversees support systems across school districts in 3 south-central Pennsylvania counties. To learn more about computer training at YTI, visit www.yti.edu.

On this episode of "Inside Career Technical Training" hosts Ann Baldwin and YTI Career Institute President/CEO Jim Bologa visit with Army combat veteran Brandon Wiley, a graduate of both of our Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management and Pastry Arts programs! Brandon's well-rounded culinary training prepared him for an opportunity as Sous Chef at Wellspan's Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital. Brandon's background then led him to a rewarding opportunity as a corrections officer where his role includes kitchen supervisor. His journey has brought him back to YTI Career Institute where he is currently an adjunct chef at YTI Career Institute. Brandon's story provides great insight into culinary arts training at YTI and is a testament to perseverance!

On this edition of “Inside Career Technical Education'', co-hosts Jim Bologa and Ann Baldwin speak with Lisa Coe, BSN, RN, a Practical Nursing Instructor at Porter and Chester Institute. After spending time working different positions in the field of nursing, Lisa decided it was time for a life altering career change that did not require her to work 22 hour shifts. Lisa is now a clinical instructor at Autumn Lake Cromwell, a skilled nursing facility and works hands on with Porter and Chester nursing students. For more information on the Practical Nursing Program or how to become a clinical instructor, visit www.porterchester.edu.

On this episode of "Inside Career Technical Education" co-hosts Ann Baldwin and YTI Career Institute President/CEO Jim Bologa visit with Jesus Clarke, graduate of our Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management program. Having turned an early passion for cooking into a career in the culinary arts, Jesus is thriving as business owner of Big Zues Barbecue in Binghamton, NY. Listen to Jesus' story and encouraging words for prospective culinary and college students! For more information on our Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management program, visit https://yti.edu/paschoolofculinaryarts. Also check out Big Zues Barbecue online at https://bigzuesbarbecue.com/.

On this episode of “Inside Career Technical Education," Porter and Chester Institute President and CEO, Jim Bologa and co-host, Ann Baldwin chat with Michael Hunter, New England Services Territory Manager at NCR. Michael discusses NCR's partnership with Porter and Chester Institute, highlights technicians' progression in the company, and stresses the importance of continuing education at NCR. Learn more about our Computer and Network Technology program at https://porterchester.edu/career-programs/computer-and-network-technology

There are many viable options for post-secondary education. On this edition of “Inside Career Technical Education'', host Jim Bologa and co-host Ann Baldwin speak with Alyssa Weise, a graduate from the Respiratory Therapy program at YTI Career Institute and now online instructor in RT. Alyssa enrolled at YTI right out of high school in search of a career in healthcare outside of nursing. Listen as she details what the Respiratory Therapy program entails and how it prepares students for the field in a blended learning experience. Visit www.yti.edu/programs/respiratory-therapy for more information.

On this edition of “Inside Career Technical Education'', host Jim Bologa and co-host Ann Baldwin speak with Tom Marr, 53 year-old Gettysburg resident currently enrolled in the HVACR program at YTI’s York campus. Tom is a Mike Rowe Works Scholarship award recipient and shares details on what it took to be in contention for that award as he began attending YTI. Tom also describes his experience in the HVACR program so far as well as what he would like to do upon graduation next January. For more information on the HVACR program, visit www.yti.edu/programs/hvacr.

In this episode of our Inside Career Technical Education podcast, hosts Ann Baldwin and Porter and Chester Institute President/CEO Jim Bologa visit with Scott Zimmerman, Area Manager of Firestone Complete Auto Care. We discuss Firestone's partnership with Porter and Chester and the value of our Automotive Technology graduates! Scott talks about the thriving and increasingly complex automotive repair industry and the demand for qualified technicians. Visit our website at PorterChester.edu to learn more about our Automotive Technology program.