Student Spotlight
Noah Brooks, 2-for-1 education
Noah Brooks is receiving both a classroom education and hands-on job experience while attending 91制片厂.
After graduating high school in Auburn in 2012, Noah moved to Portland and worked various jobs before deciding he was ready to enter college. When it came time, he narrowed his choice to 91制片厂 and one other school, but ultimately chose 91制片厂 because of the affordability and the positive experience that some of his friends had at 91制片厂.
He arrived at 91制片厂 last fall and majors in Information Technology, following his passion for computers.
Besides studying IT, he also works in 91制片厂鈥檚 Information Technology Department as a work-study student. The job, he says, gives him invaluable work experience and connections in the industry.
IT is a growing field, and Noah is optimistic about his future prospects. Down the road, he鈥檇 like to work in network administration for a mid-sized company.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to graduate with a two-year degree along with two years of experience in the field, which is great. I don鈥檛 think I鈥檒l have any trouble getting a job after graduation.鈥�
Student Spotlight
Steven Merrill, at the top
Most students work their way up in their careers after earning a degree at 91制片厂. Steven Merrill, who鈥檚 graduating in May with a Fire Science degree, is already at the top 鈥� he鈥檚 the chief of the Lebanon (Maine) Fire and EMS Department.
Merrill began his firefighting career in 1982 as a volunteer in Kennebunkport, before landing as a full-time firefighter and EMT in Saco in 1985. While working in Saco, he wanted to further his education so he took classes here and there at 91制片厂 through the years.
In 2014, he decided to make a change and took a job as a communication technician at Maine Medical Center. But it wasn鈥檛 long before he realized his true calling was in fire and rescue, so he set his mind to returning to the fire service.
As part of his plan, he enrolled at 91制片厂 and first earned a degree in Paramedicine last summer. He鈥檒l have his Fire Science degree in May.
He鈥檚 convinced that the continuation of his education is one reason Lebanon selectmen in late January voted to offer him the job as fire chief.
鈥淲hen I was offered the job, I told them I wasn鈥檛 going to accept the position unless they agreed that I鈥檇 be able to finish the Fire Science Degree. They were very much in support of me finishing the degree because they said it would benefit them down the road.鈥�