Howard Community College

CREATIVE STUDENT FINDS HIS NICHE When Mark Palad registered for classes at HCC, he had a very clear goal in mind. "I wanted to find something substantial enough to study to allow me to turn around and be viable in the job market as quickly as possible," he said. As a result of the depressed economy, the housing market took a dive, and Mark's employer, a home builder, announced layoffs – including his. When considering what to do next, he searched for a way to put his creative and artistic talents to use. His grandfather and uncle were draftsmen, and he thought that today's version of that profession – computer-aided design – might be his ticket to an interesting new career. "Having never attended college, I was hesitant to tackle an advanced level of studying and homework," he says. However, after meeting with an HCC advisor, Mark decided to give it a try. When Mark entered his first principles of drafting class, he told Associate Professor Dave Hinton that he was studying to take the CAD certification test. "Professor Hinton said right off the bat that he does not teach for the test; he teaches in order for people to get a job and utilize what they learn," Mark says. "We try to give all of our students the skills that will make them valuable employees," says Hinton. "Mark's determination to succeed and his willingness to go beyond the requirements of the assignments are evidence that he would not only be a good employee, but also a good leader." Knowing Mark needed a job, Hinton suggested he attend HCC's Job/Career Fair. Mark went – and was hired for a short-term contract as a CAD technician by an engineering firm working on the Intercounty Connector. Mark Palad Over the next two years, Mark earned straight A's as he completed GOAL AT HCC: Computer-Aided Design (CAD) his courses, and was also inducted into the national community college honor society Phi Theta Kappa. Upon earning his certification, Mark was hired by another engineering firm, KCI Technologies, where he has since been promoted from CAD technician to designer. Certification LONG-TERM GOAL: Project Management Professional Certification QUOTE: "I wasn't sure about going back to "Mark's CAD certificate gave him the upper hand when he came on board at KCI. His skills helped propel him to the designer level much school because what I really needed was faster than anticipated, making him a valuable asset to our company," to get a job, but I did it, thankfully, and I'm says Rob Macoy, senior associate, KCI Technologies. definitely reaping the rewards." Now with academic success under his belt, Mark is setting additional goals for career advancement. He may go back to HCC to prepare for the Project Management Professional certification exam, and/or earn his associate's degree. A bachelor's degree is a good possibility, too. Mark is thoughtful and soft-spoken when he's asked to reflect on the past few years and his new career. "If someone asked me to define success, I would have to tell them my story," he says. Howard Community College Spring 2012 | Pathways 3

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