After spending more than 22 years in the military Clarence Mitchell is about ready to move on to something else. Needless to say, the transition from military to civilian life will be challenging. But fortunately for Clarence, his wife found the perfect solution on the Internet: the Workforce Transition Project (WTP), sponsored by Cisco, the Communications Workers of America, and the Department of Labor Veteran's Employment and Training Services, in conjunction with Stanly Community College.
The Cisco Networking Academy Program, which provides students with the Internet technology skills essential in a global economy, is part of the WTP. After obtaining details about the WTP through the Communication Workers of America website, Clarence visited his local military office to see if tuition assistance might be available.
Here again, he got some good news: Thanks to H1B grants, which are awarded to institutions committed to providing high-tech training to the U.S. workforce, he found that the majority of his tuition could be subsidized. What's more, he was able to enroll almost immediately after talking to the military office, even though long waiting lists for Cisco courses are the norm.
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"The work in this industry is interesting and challenging and I don't
see an end to it," says Clarence Mitchell.
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For Clarence, the WTP is just the opportunity he was hoping for. "The work in
this industry is interesting and challenging, and I don't see an end
to it," he says. "The Cisco courses are also very interesting, and
I feel good about the type of things I'm learning. Networking looks
like an excellent field to go into." Having a brother in the computer
industry added extra motivation to enroll in the Cisco Networking
Academy Program. Clarence has successfully completed his CCNA training
through the Workforce Transition Project.
Clarence is looking forward to a rewarding career in the IT industry. "Once I'm certified, I plan to get the experience I need and then start marketing myself to the industry," he says.
He plans to go directly into the computer field as soon as he receives
his certification-hopefully in the Washington D.C. area, where he
has lived for the past thirteen years, fulfilling job in the near
future. He is confident that the Cisco training will enable him to
find a challenging career.
Clarence is currently putting his two daughters through college, and his 15-year-old son is coming up fast. "My son is also interested in enrolling in the Cisco Networking Academy Program," he says. "I'm encouraging him to do this."
He has good advice for anyone making the transition from military
to civilian life. "It's all about early preparation," he notes. "The
earlier you start figuring out what you like to do--and searching
for opportunities that coincide with your interest--the better."
For Clarence, the Cisco Networking Academy Program is an ideal match. "This program is a great opportunity for anyone who's transitioning and computer literate," he concludes. "It has tremendous value, and I plan to take full advantage of it."
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