MATC instructor sees more demand for VMware training

From bizjournals.com: “MATC instructor sees more demand for VMware training” — By Denise Lockwood – Let’s talk about IT trends and how Milwaukee Area Technical College has designed its curriculum around those trends, specifically virtual servers and data storage and the huge need companies have in filling positions with IT types who have software certification called VMware.

MATC is aligning its IT curriculum with a number of highly sought after skills, but VMware is “the 800-pound gorilla in the middle of the room,” said Brian Kirsch, an IT networking instructor at MATC.

“VMware has revolutionized everything and it’s not going to go away any time soon,” Kirsch said. “I only see it continuing to grow.”

So what constitutes virtual servers and data storage?

Companies use virtual servers to run their data centers and reduce their server footprint. So if you’ve got a more powerful server, you can run smaller servers off one large server. And chances are good that if you work at or want to work at a company that uses virtual services and data storage, that company is probably using VMware — 60 percent of the servers in the world run on VMware.

The problem (and opportunity) is that 120,000 people are certified in VMware training and with that type of utilization, the number of people with certifications should probably be in the millions. So if you are looking for a career in the IT industry or a change in your IT emphasis, this is a good direction to take, Kirsch said.

Locally, Northwestern Mutual, Aurora Health Care and FIS are just a few companies that run VMware. New graduates who graduate with an IT network specialist associate degree and get certified in how to use the software can expect to earn $40,000. Demand is high: People with a few years of experience in VMware and certification are earning $80,000 to $100,000 a year.

The demand is so high that Kirsch, who has been teaching VMware, has seen companies pluck students from his classroom and offer them jobs before they earn the actual certificate, which is done through VMware, Kirsch said.

“I personally get to turn down one job offer a week,” Kirsch said. “And one of my students who was in my class actually had to negotiate time off with his employer to finish the class.”

A number of IT professionals, who already have degrees, are returning to take the VMware class. The class isn’t easy and the VMware certification test is difficult, which is why MATC is hoping to offer a followup in the 2014-15 school year, Kirsch said.

“We often say that our education programs are one of the best kept secrets in Milwaukee,” Kirsch said. “We’d like that to change.”

MATC Hottest Kitchen Entrepreneur Challenge finalists

From wisbusiness.com: “Original food biz concepts feature natural, Wisconsin ingredients” — Finalists of this year’s Hottest Kitchen Entrepreneur Challenge have something in common – they all incorporate Wisconsin-made ingredients. This challenge to find Wisconsin’s next great food entrepreneur is sponsored by Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), Reliable Water Services a local provider of commercial water heaters, boilers and water softeners and FaB Milwaukee, an industry network for the food and beverage cluster of SE Wisconsin.

Aspiring chefs and home cooks entered by submitting a short application and photo of their concept. Finalists were selected based on the originality and viability of their concept and appearance based on an initial photo. Three finalists include:

• Andrew Bechaud– Milwaukee, Wis. – Bechaud Elixing Co., a line of handcrafted small batch beverages made with Wisconsin agricultural ingredients. Tempting flavors include Chocolate Chai Veloute and Spring Blossom Cherry Soda. His dream is to start a small production facility and sell to local upscale grocers such as Sendik’s or Whole Foods.
• Pete Cooney –Milwaukee, Wis. – Pete’s Pops – Handcrafted Ice Pops, a frozen treat made with fresh fruits and natural sugars in flavors like Strawberry Basil and Pineapple Jalapeno. Cooney wants to produce through a commercial kitchen, start selling via a push cart at local events and ultimately distribute through area grocers.
• Marcus Thie –Shorewood, Wis. –Sauceformations, a line of gluten-free and Paleo-diet friendly organic sauces for home chefs including Tomato Choka, a recipe from Trinidad packed with flavor and nutrients. He wants to launch StreetBeet, a food truck where he can promote locally grown food and showcase organic recipes featuring his sauce line.

Finalists will compete for the grand prize in a Food Network-style judging event at MATC’s student-run restaurant Cuisine located at 1015 N. 6th St on the MATC campus on Wednesday, July 31th at 3 p.m.

The grand prize winner will receive $2,500 in seed money from Reliable Water Services; a comprehensive entrepreneurial consultation package from MATC; $500 of professional cookware from Boelter Superstore and a two-hour private meeting with food industry executives serving on FaB Milwaukee’s Advisory Council. Judges for the contest include:

• Jan Kelly, owner and chef, Meritage restaurant, Milwaukee
• Angela West, co-founder/publisher, Alcoholmanac Magazine, Milwaukee
• Betsy Gilmore, general manager, Bel Air Cantina/Wauwatosa
• Jack Kaestner, chef instructor for Milwaukee Area Technical College
• Lynn Sbonik, co-owner of Beans & Barley Deli, Market & Full Service Café
• Eric Olesen, owner and president, O&H Danish Bakery of Racine
• Peter Gottsacker, president of Wixon, a manufacturer of seasonings, flavors, and technologies for the food, beverage, and meat industry.

“We were impressed with the level of creativity and passion of the many entries we received,” said contest judge Eric Olesen, owner and president of O &H Danish Bakery and council co-chair for FaB Milwaukee. “Our three finalists stood out as having concepts that would not only be delicious but also marketable in our community.”

New college grads may be entering an improving job market

From wuwm.com: “New College Grads May Be Entering An Improving Job Market” — Thousands of local college students graduated over the weekend. UWM and Marquette were among those holding commencement ceremonies. More grads will pick up their diplomas next weekend, including at MSOE and MATC.

The last few years have been tough for college grads. They entered the labor force amid a slow-moving economy, when employers were hesitant to hire. And the competition often included experienced people, laid off during the recession. Dennis Winters says now however, there are hints the job hunt may be a bit easier. He works for the state Department of Workforce Development.

“The economy is growing slowly and the employment situation is a bit laggard yet, but I think things are picking up throughout the rest of the year and in the future, so graduates have something a little better to look at,” Winters says.

Another agency that sees promising data is Milwaukee-based Manpower Group. It tracks hiring trends.

“There was healthy hiring last quarter, so I think we’re going to see continuous improvement. It’s certainly not going backwards,” says Chris Layden, who heads one of the Wisconsin divisions of ManpowerGroup. He says some new grads have an advantage over experienced people looking for work.

“Companies are looking for fresh talent out of college, particularly leading companies within the Milwaukee market that are always trying to bring in fresh perspectives and hiring potential.”

Layden says the greatest demand for graduates remains in the STEM fields: science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The trend puts graduates from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in good standing. Erik Oswald works in MSOE’s careers office. He says employers sought out the school’s students throughout the economic downturn.

“Even in the height of the recession, our students were getting jobs. They maybe were just having one offer at a time. But as things are recovering, the biggest thing we’re seeing is that students are able to choose between two or three offers again,” Oswald says.

Oswald says the pay is good, even for those just entering the workforce.

“The average starting salaries for the 2011-2012 class for all of our graduates was $55,368,” Oswald says.

On the other edge of downtown, Marquette University reports high demand for its grads, across the spectrum. Andy Brodzeller is spokesman.

“One anecdote is that involvement in our career fairs that we host in the fall and spring semester — we’ve seen additional participation by companies and employees. This past year, actually we had to turn down employees, because we simply didn’t have enough space for them in the ballrooms at the career fair,” Brodzeller says.

Brodzeller says grads with a leg up are those who participated in internships and got work experience. The head of UW-Milwaukee’s career development center echoes the sentiment. Cindy Petrites says students’ resourcefulness outside the classroom can be as important as their field of study.

“The person graduating today is probably looking at over a dozen job changes over the course of their lifetime. So it’s really important for us to be helping students to be really nimble in the way they are developing their skills, in the way they are thinking about how they can be marketable — not just for the jobs of today, but for the jobs of tomorrow,” Petrites says.

Another local institution has seen first-hand the changing employment picture graduates face. Mike Kuehnl is with MATC, who says “4,500 of our students already have bachelor’s or master’s degrees and they’ve come to MATC to get the skills that employers are looking for.”

Kuehnl says graduates in the greatest demand are those in the fields of information technology, manufacturing and health care.

Employers visit classes at MATC

From jsonline.com: “Etiquette, networking skills on college seniors’ plates” — The banquet table has eight place settings positioned close to one another. Crystal glasses crowd the space above china plates, and rolls sit nearby, atop small plates.

But which roll goes with which plate? And which plate with which glass?

“BMW,” advises Margery Sinclair, etiquette coach and author. “From left to right: Bread and butter; meat and main; wine or water.”

That might not seem like college-level work, but with students getting ready to head off to interviews, internships and jobs, schools are setting aside some time – and some courses – to prepare them in ways beyond technical and management skills.

Sinclair is regularly called on to help students; earlier this month, she was featured at a Backpack to Briefcases luncheon put on by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She sees lunch or dinner as a way for prospective employers to wean candidates out.

“A lot can be determined by the way you conduct yourself,” Sinclair said, explaining that if candidates have good manners while eating, it most likely means they conduct themselves appropriately in other aspects of their life.

At UWM, business students can take an entire class on how to land their dream job and how to maintain it. The class covers networking, interviewing do’s and don’ts, appropriate work attire, résumé and cover letter coaching, and etiquette.

Greg Krejci, director of career services at the Lubar School of Business, said 205 students signed up.

“This class is not just fitting for graduates but also for second-semester sophomores and juniors who are looking for internships,” Krejci said. “Oftentimes, the employees that assist with the course are actively recruiting companies.”

Students in the class have been known to walk away with internships and full-time jobs in their back pockets.

“We have some employers that will meet some students at mock interviews and then set up actual interviews,” Krejci said. “We have had students, like those in supply-chain management, saying, ‘I couldn’t have done it without this class.’ ”

The course also devotes time to the importance of benefits, how to properly invest and what ways students can pay off their student loans.

Employers visit classes

Other area schools have similar resources, or schedule special events to assist their students.

Milwaukee Area Technical College offers weekly “Meet the Business” sessions that are informal opportunities for students to have face-to-face interaction with employers, who come to their classroom and have an open dialogue about job openings and what types of employees they are looking for.

“This absolutely generates employment,” said Jenny McGilligan, student employment specialist at MATC. McGilligan said many students have résumés on hand for these sessions.

MATC hosted a professional forum three weeks ago for transportation students where six employers spent an hour and a half speaking with students about how they can be hired in the industry and what they should be doing to be hired.

“Teachers can tell students what to do, but when you get the hiring manager telling you this is what you need to do, all of a sudden they pay attention,” McGilligan said.

Don’t wait too long

One problem schools warn against is showing up for help just weeks before picking up a degree.

Laura Kestner-Ricketts, director of Marquette University’s Career Services Center, said she is not concerned with her “superstar students” who are active early on in the career search.

“I have had students who have had jobs since October, students who have been persistent and devoted,” Kestner-Ricketts said. “Our superstar students are just fine.”

But she is concerned with the students who are just starting the job process and are showing their anxiety.

“It’s the students who are coming to see us for the first time now – that have no internships, never written a résumé – that are having a much more difficult time,” she said.

The Career Services Center has assisted 538 seniors, 34% of the graduating class, this year, not to mention students from other classes. It uses Q&As with professionals from designated industries, speed-networking events, workshops on how to effectively use LinkedIn and more – all with the idea of arming students to transition to the work world.

Career center employees say it’s all part of building a package – education, interviewing skills, networking abilities, résumés that inform and sell. And yes, negotiating that lunch table setting.

Thank-you notes are key

One final word from Sinclair: Send a thank-you note. The recruiter and potential employer are doing you a favor, Sinclair said, and they deserve gratitude.

“Be short, sincere and specific,” she said. “Three sentences at the most, otherwise it’s a letter. Out of 10, maybe one or two send a thank-you note.”

The note draws attention – in a more memorable way than grabbing the wrong roll.

 

MATC adds associate degree and technical diploma programs

From bizjournals.com: “MATC adds associate degree and technical diploma programs” — Milwaukee Area Technical College will introduce 12 new associate degree and technical diploma programs in 2013-2014 to address growing demand in a number of industries.

The new programs in the School of Business are eBusiness fundamentals technical diploma, financial services technical diploma, food manufacturing and processing technical diploma and food science technology associate degree.

In the School of Health Sciences there is a new health information technician associate degree. The School of Media and Creative Arts has a new audio production associate degree, creative advertising strategist associate degree, eProduction associate degree, mobile application developer technical diploma, and a mobile designer associate degree. In the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences there is a new early childhood education technical diploma.

“The new programs exemplify MATC’s response to the needs of area businesses,” said MATC president Michael Burke, in a press release. “Students will have an opportunity to prepare for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries.”

 

Wisconsin Baby Boomers returning to college

From matctimes.com: “It’s strange being older than your teachers!” — Baby boomers are coming here to further their education or start a career. Not having grown up in the high tech age, vital skills are being sought to keep them at par with the current workforce. Educational dreams are being fulfilled as a wave of boomers head back to college – at MATC. The timing couldn’t be better.

There are 76 million boomers; post World War II babies born between 1946 and 1964. Many unsure of what Social Security or Medicare holds for them, laid off, widowed, divorced, displaced; they are improving their future with an education, and technical colleges are a great way for them to quickly gain skills or a new career.

Decades ago, people 50 and over wouldn’t even dream of going to college or working at a job after they hit 65. Not so today- they are an untapped market with tremendous potential, “The number of students ages 50 to 64 increased 17 percent nationwide between fall 2007 and fall 2009,” according to the latest data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and, “An increasing number of people ages 50 and up are headed to community college — 388,000 were enrolled nationwide in fall 2009,” the most recent data available from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

The Wisconsin Technical College System report #VE215310 affirms that those 50 and over are responding to the call of further education. The following are four area technical colleges with their corresponding percentage of boomer admissions: MATC – 9.2%, Gateway – 10.2%, Moraine Park – 18.6%, and Waukesha – 20%. A productive 15 to 20 more years in the workforce after graduation is not unrealistic, and many who have stayed home to raise their families want to get out to begin their postponed careers.

Walter Lanier of the Counseling and Advising Center, who heads up the Diversity Council which meets twice a month said, “While age has not really been discussed (at the meetings), age diversity is well represented.” Diversity is not only ethnicity, religion, or race, it is also age. Older students bring a wealth of life experience and motivation to help younger students to succeed. They enrich any campus.

Due to a major accident and divorce, “Jay,” a 53-year- old full-time student in the Human Services program at the Downtown Milwaukee campus needed to change his field. He considered MATC because of its “reputation, cost, convenience, and diversity.” A Pell grant is paying all of his expenses and he even got a refund. Jay said, “I would feel uncomfortable without the diversity….I feel at home here.”
Douglas Koput, 49, is in the Electronic Technology program at the Downtown Milwaukee campus.  He was laid off from his job and needed additional skills. Convenience of the college made his decision to attend here, and also received help from a Pell grant. He was nervous at first and started with just two classes, and after getting an A in both, he had the confidence to continue. His advice to prospective boomers, “Start out slow to be sure.”
Having her job move out of the country and becoming a dislocated worker, “Mary,” 53, receives full tuition through a program with unemployment. She is in the Medical Administrative Specialist program at the West Allis campus and attends full time. She finds the professors “great” and does not feel intimidated by the younger students. Her advice, “Don’t be afraid, you are never too old to learn something.”
Underpaid and underappreciated in his current job, A.D. Owens, 49, wanted something better. He is attending full time in the Teacher Education program downtown.  “MATC had the program I wanted,” said Owens. He was “tired of just having a job,” he wanted “a career.” A Pell grant helps pay his tuition, and he is very proud to be on the Dean’s List. After the initial insecurities, he was confident in his abilities and wants other boomers to know that, “This is the time to go. Make the decision and come to MATC.”
There is probably a boomer in one or more of your classes – encourage them, learn from them, give a smile to let them know that this is their college too.

MATC students win broadcasters awards

From mptv.org: “MPTV students win Wisconsin Broadcasters Association “Student Awards for Excellence” — At the annual Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) Student awards event in March, several Milwaukee Area Technical College Television and Video Production students won a WBA Student Award for Excellence.
*Paul Cotter, James Gale and Will Picard won first place in the Long Form Production Non-News (TV) category for Bob Reitman: Radio On.
*Jeff Morris and Joe Pfaff won second place in the Long Form Production Non-News (TV) category for Stormwatch-Creative Package.

“We are thrilled that our students were honored with both the first and second place awards in the Long Form Production Non-News category this year,” said Kevin Pulz, the program coordinator of MATC’s Television and Video Production program. “The Reitman program created by Paul, Will and James was not only an excellent student program, but its production quality is equal to many professional productions on the air today.”

For over 50 years, students enrolled in the Television and Video Production associate degree program at Milwaukee Area Technical College have trained alongside the broadcast professionals at Milwaukee Public Television. This allows for hands-on work experience at a large, professional, state-of-the-art broadcast facility while under the guidance of television professionals who function both as producers and directors as well as instructors.

 

MATC hosts Sustainability Summit

From matctimes.com: “Sustainability Summit free for MATC students” — By George Stone, Co-Chair MATC District Sustainability Committee — The anticipation and excitement are rising. The 10th Annual Sustainability Summit and Exposition is fast approaching. MATC is proud to host this outstanding conference on Wednesday and Thursday, March 6 and 7 at the Delta Center (formerly the Frontier Airlines Center) in downtown Milwaukee.  The theme for 2013 is Sustainability: An Economic and Ecologic Imperative.

The Sustainability Summit is great in a lot of ways.  First, it’s the biggest and best sustainability conference in Wisconsin.  Because of its first-rate reputation, it attracts world-class speakers, and people come from all over the Midwest to learn about the latest trends and opportunities in industry and education.  But more than any other reason, the Summit is great because it’s for students.  Thanks to the generosity of Summit sponsors (including MATC’s Office of Student Life), all students may register for the Summit free of charge. It’s the best deal of the year.

More than 2,000 students attended in each of the last three years, 1,000 from MATC alone.  For most, it is their first, major professional conference and it’s a real eye-opener.  “It was great.  I had no idea how much was going on!” is a typical comment.  In addition to MATC, students come from UWM, Marquette, MSOE, MPS, Concordia, Carroll, and Alverno; and many more from other technical colleges and UW campuses.

Internationally acclaimed speakers will inspire and enlighten.  Among them will be Will Allen, Ed Begley Jr., Lynn Broaddus, James Hansen, Zelma Maine-Jackson, C.S. Kiang, Michael Mann and Mordechai Shechter.

Our program is the envy of the state; UW- Madison will be sending busloads of students and faculty to hear our speakers.  Breakout sessions on vital topics plus an astounding array of industry and education exhibits will compel, entertain and inform.

This outstanding conference has become an MATC tradition.  I urge all instructors to attend and to provide class time or extra-credit assignments so that their students will be able to share in this outstanding educational experience.  All MATC employees may also attend the Summit free of charge by completing a Prior Approval for Travel form and submitting it to their supervisor for approval.

If you plan to live and work on planet Earth in the 21st century, there’s much of great value for you at the 2013 Sustainability Summit and Exposition.

For more information, please consult the Summit website at http://www.sustainabilitysummit.us.

Thanks for your attention, and for your help in making MATC’s Summit the premier annual sustainability conference in Wisconsin. If you have questions, please phone George Stone at 414-297-7430 or email stoneg@matc.edu.

 

MATC helps with tax return preparation

From matctimes.com: “Death and taxes, MATC helps with one of these” — MATC is offering free tax services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) at the Downtown Milwaukee and Oak Creek campuses. MATC accounting students have been trained by the Internal Revenue Service and are ready to help you get the most accurate and speedy return possible.

Nursing student Christine Domenech said, “It’s convenient, and I don’t have a problem with MATC doing my taxes, I trust them. It makes me feel a lot better to get it done here so I won’t have to stand in long lines at H & R Block or try to do it online; they already know how.”

Accounting instructor Jim Bennedum is in charge of gathering volunteers, overseeing training, and submitting paperwork. Bennedum has been running this program for 30 years at the Oak Creek Campus. He stressed that this is not a part of the curriculum; this is strictly a volunteer service. The people who are helping want to help out.

Bobbie Sherrod, coordinator of the Downtown Milwaukee Campus and MATC retiree, has worked in the Student Services department for 39 years. Volunteers come from the Department of Revenue (DOR), the Milwaukee County comptroller’s office, Northwestern Mutual, Marquette University (students and employees), as well as current and present MATC accounting students; Sherrod also contributes.

After the volunteers complete an Income Tax class, an IRS test, an ethics test, and a final exam with an 80% or higher, Bennedum helps the volunteers familiarize themselves with the task at hand.

Be it a senior citizen, a vet, a single mom or dad, or just someone who isn’t sure how taxes work, this service is available to anyone and is not limited to MATC students as long as their household income does not exceed $51,000 a year.

Sherrod says, “Many of the taxpayers are not aware of the Earned Income Tax Credit and child care tax credit they are eligible to receive because they receive a low income. In addition to filing federal and state returns, we file homestead returns for low-income, those on Social Security, etc.”

Bennedum expressed, “This is a great form of satisfaction, helping the people who need it the most.”

Sherrod stated, “I am very proud to be a help in this MATC community service project.”

Smartphone tips offered at MATC Mequon

From matc.edu: “Smartphone Tips and Best Utilization to be held at MATC’s Mequon Campus” — A presentation on “Smartphone Tips and Best Utilization” will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Mequon Campus, 5555 W. Highland Road. The free talk will be held in Room A129 in the cafeteria.

Desie Perez and Gail Varhula, Connect Cell-US Cellular authorized agents from Grafton, Wis.,
will discuss why smartphones are useful; making the best use of your smartphone; and using business, organizational and social media applications on smartphones.

The talk is part of the “Mequon Campus Patio Series,” designed to feature local experts speaking on a variety of topics to further the formation and intellectual enrichment of the community.

Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunches. For more information or reservations, please contact Sandra Webster at (262) 238-2205.

MATC, Carroll enter agreement for computer gaming program

From waukesha.patch.com: “Video Gaming Program Coming to Carroll, MATC” — On Tuesday, representatives from Carroll University and Milwaukee Area Technical College will meet on Carroll’s campus to sign an articulation agreement for a joint program in information technology with an emphasis on computer game development. This is the first four-year program in southeastern Wisconsin that focuses on gaming.

In addition to recreational uses, game technology has been used for educational tools and business strategies software, as well as for training soldiers, pilots and surgeons. Although this program is themed on game development, students are exposed to many other applied and problem-solving skills that prepare them for a broad range of jobs in rapidly changing technology fields, such as software development, multimedia development, digital media and film production.

The Bachelor of Science degree in information technology with emphasis on computer game development will include two years of courses taught in Carroll’s computer science program, and the courses from MATC’s two-year associate degree in applied science in computer simulation and gaming.

Read more from waukesha.patch.com