Nov. 10, 2023 | Stay Connected, Stay Informed | |
Northeastern Technical College offers Marlboro County Students Dual Enrollment classes to get a head start saving time and money in college or saving time to earn more money in the workforce. | |
Smart times at Marlboro High | |
Marlboro County High School students taking
NETC classes gain college, workforce ground
| |
|
On the second floor, Marlboro County High students practice chest compressions on dummies.
Winding downstairs around the school, welding students suit up to begin welding competition.
Some students are learning medical terminology, while others are making use of time to wrap up assignments for classes transferring to a four-year school.
This was a regular Thursday for Marlboro County High students enrolled at Northeastern Technical College classes.
NETC offers to high school students within its service area, the opportunity to get a head start on learning entry level skills earlier than new adult hires, or shaving off thousands of dollars of college expenses should they want to transfer to a four-year college.
“Students at Marlboro High School can earn all types of certificates,” said Marlboro County High Dual Enrollment Coordinator Kristen Lovett. “The main ones that the students earn at Marlboro High are health science, workforce certificate, and automotive certificates.”
Dual enrollment classes are typically courses that allow high school students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. Some students may qualify based on grades to earn both high school and college credits for the same course receiving dual credits.
NETC course offerings are based on demand and changes can be made.
In Fall 2023, there are about 200 Marlboro County High students participating in classes that transfer to a four-year college or workforce focused, Lovett said.
In the Class of 2023, there were nine seniors graduating Marlboro County High with an associate’s degree and 8 graduated with certificates, making the highest number to date.
"Interest in NETC’s classes available on Marlboro County High’s campus is moving towards the workforce," said Lovett. “Many of our students are interested in entering the workforce with a skill, especially when they learn the pay ranges.”
From welding to electrical to automotive to nursing, students entering the workforce with certifications can expect to enter positions starting out between $35,000 to $55,000 a year.
Dual Enrollment classes typically allow high school students to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously; effectively Marlboro County High students are also NETC students, she said.
NETC offers Dual Enrollment Coordinators for each campus where its classes are offered; the job is in a way part advisor, part guidance counsellor, and part financial aid for students enrolled at NETC, Lovett said.
“There’s a lot for high school students to figure out as young college students as to whether transferring their credits or focusing on entering the workforce,” she said. “We stay busy.”
| |
Marlboro County High school is centrally located in Bennettsville, S.C., and houses approximately 1,000 students from its zip code along with Blenheim, Clio, McColl, and Wallace areas. |
Dual Enrollment courses are college classes taken for college credit but not for high school credit. This saves time and money spent on 2- and 4-year colleges. Approximately 640 high school students in NETC's service area are enrolled and taking college classes. |
Marlboro County High students entering Dual Enrollment can start the process as early as 8th grade. Students must first get approval from their middle school guidance counselor. As freshman, students and parents meet with DE Coordinators about admissions and financial aid. | |
NETC's Dual Enrollment offers medical terminology classes. | |
How does Dual Enrollment help after high school? | |
|
WORKFORCE READINESS
Learning a skilled trade can lead to high paying jobs as demand increases along with large workforce retirements. Students who learn a trade from welding to medical to electricity can begin earning around $40,000 starting with many workers becoming small business owners as experience accumulates. High school graduates can expand their skillsets by continuing workforce pathways earning certificates or associate degrees in desired fields.
| |
|
TIME/MONEY SAVINGS
Students enrolled in Dual Enrollment can shave time and money off four-year university.
For example, Francis Marion University’s 2023-24 full-time tuition is $5,580 per semester or $11,160 a year; with housing, add $2,600 to $5,200 per semester or $5,200 to $10,400 a year.
| |
Marlboro County High students learn CPR in NETC Instructor Donald Hutchinson's class. | |
NETC Instructor James Tarasiewicz teaches a new automotive class at Marlboro County High School, which expands to hands-on shop work in spring. | |
NETC Instructor Dale Woods teaches welding on site at Marlboro County High School. | |
NETC Medical Assistant student Danielle Rogers 46, of Dillon, practices blood drawing on a simulation mannequin at the Dillon Campus. | |
|
Danielle Rogers is entering her second career.
The 46-year-old Dillon native retired from State Law Enforcement Division and is embarking on a new direction in the medical field.
“Instead of working a crime scene afterwards, I can help someone who may have been affected by crime,” Rogers said.
During the fall 2023 semester, Rogers began clinical work through Northeastern Technical College’s Medical Assistant program at the McLeod Cancer Center in Florence, S.C.
“I’m working in the new genetic research area,” Rogers said. “There is a doctor there who is phenomenal. She can test a mother and father to see which of their genetics could be a risk for cancer.”
Rogers said she’s sat in on two different cases (by late September at the time of the interview) and began delving into the paperwork, which fascinated her.
The genetic research portion is growing fast, Rogers said, with an expansion in the office slated for early 2024 placing Rogers in a prime position to secure permanent employment.
| |
|
Medical Assistants are unlicensed professionals who physicians can delegate tasks as well as coordinate patient scheduling and manage patient records.
Students who begin the NETC Medical Assistant Program typically complete the program with certifications for Certified Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy, and Medical Assistant.
Labor studies have shown a need for about 400,000 home health care providers by 2025 and 200,000 new nurses annually until 2026 to replace those retiring.
To sign up for the medical assistant program, students must:
- Complete 22 credits with a minimum grade of average of 2.0 in all 22 credits for Nurse Preparatory Certificate program.
- Submit results of annual tuberculin skin test (TST) and current Basic Life Support—Provider (BLS) by the American Heart Association.
- Submit information and fees for background checks and toxicology screenings.
For more information visit www.netc.edu or call 800.921.7399.
| |
|
Click the EKG machine
to see the requirements for NETC Medical Assistant Program.
| |
Interested in entering the medical field? Look into CNA/Phlebotomy as a starter position. | |
Interested in becoming a Registered Nurse? Click on the RN logo to see its course pathway. | |
|
|
NETC Foundation is a non-profit organization providing student scholarships and assists in capital, emergency and equipment expenses. | | | |
James Williams Jr. 64, retired state employee and military, who has three associate's degrees and two bachelor's degrees and is currently attending school to become a radiology technicians speaks to NETC students at the Marlboro Campus Veteran's Day Social. | |
NETC alumni, veteran advocates lifelong learning | |
|
Retired reservist James Williams Jr. Is an excellent example of a lifelong learning.
Williams has three associate’s degrees (science, history, and information systems management), two bachelor’s degrees (interdisciplinary studies and religious studies), and at the age of 64, Williams continues his education enrolled at Florence Darlington Technical College to become a radiology technician.
“Figure out what makes you, you, and go from there,” said the Bennettsville native Nov. 9 to CNA/Phlebotomy students at NETC’s Marlboro County Campus Veteran’s Day Social.
Williams always wanted to work in health care and after retiring from the military and the state of South Carolina, he decided to jump in the classroom once again.
“I love the learning process,” Williams said. “I don’t have to work, but I’m too young to stay home.”
Williams describes himself as the “non-traditional, non-traditional student” being the oldest in his class, to include his instructors.
| |
|
“I tell them to stop calling me sir,” he laughed.
Williams spent 23 years in the military starting in 1983 in the S.C. Army National Guard, jumping to U.S. Air Force full time for five years followed by 8 years in the Air Force Reserves and wrapping up his military career with 9 years in the Army Reserves.
He began his education in 1984 attending NETC when it was known as Chesterfield Marlboro Technical College.
From there, Williams was rarely away from the classroom.
“My mother had an 8th grade education. My father had a 3rd grade education. I am the first person in my family to graduate from college,” Williams said. “I remember studying at the kitchen table and my mother said to me ‘I can’t help you; all I can do is pray for you.’”
Williams told students to always prepare for the future and to plan yourself in a position where you do not have to work anymore.
Education is a key role in that plan.
| |
Safety First!
Students from Compass Point 3k and 4k learned about safety today from NETC President Dr. Kyle Wagner and got a tour of the Cheraw Campus to see the demolition progress.
See more photos!
| |
|
Burns hosts professional development
NETC Curriculum Coordinator Sonya Burns presented a professional development session Nov. 10 on Retrieval Practices with full-time faculty on the Cheraw campus.
| |
Need a lift?
PDRTA offers public transportation routes Cheraw, Dillon,
and Marlboro County. Buses routinely stop at NETC Cheraw Campus.
Find your Route!
| |
| |
|
SACS hosts NETC professional development
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Consultant Margaret Burdette will be on NETC"s Cheraw campus for two weeks. During her time at NETC, she is meeting with programs and administrative units to work on learning outcomes.
| |
NETC Golf Coach plays 100 holes in one day for veteran charity | |
|
Northeastern Technical College Golf Coach Roger Mack spent Monday on the course playing 100 holes.
Not because it was a beautiful day, though it was.
Not because it was a challenge, though the 63-year-old golf professional was feeling the burn around hole 75.
But, as part of a PGA Reach Carolinas Foundation’s 100 Holes for HOPE (Helping Out Patriots Everywhere) fundraiser to connect veterans and active-duty military with the sport of golf.
Mack is a member PGA Reach Carolinas with a mission to raise $50,000 through its 100 Holes for Hope through Nov. 30; PGA Reach is a non-profit charitable foundation of PGA of America, which is a growing organization with 21 chapters in North and South Carolina. Mack was part of that effort, aiming to raise at least $1,200.
“All the money I’m raising will go to the Charlotte chapter,” Mack said.
Quick math: one hundred holes of golf is about five and a half full 18 holes of golfing – lapping Marlboro Country Club nearly six times from 7:10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with Mack’s total game time at 6 hours and 28 minutes of actual play.
“One hundred holes of golf is a challenging amout. Most golfers would not play more than 36 in a day,” he said.
Mack says the effort was more physically demanding than mental. To keep his pace, he skipped over his precision strategies to move the ball with fewer strokes.
“I wasn’t sore. I felt like I was prepared to do something like this,” said Mack, who is familiar with marathon golf playing 308 rounds in his younger days.
Keeping Mack’s pace throughout the day was NETC Golfer Ethan Jones playing the role of driver, caddy, and moral support whipping Mack from hole to hole.
“I couldn’t have done it without him,” Mack said.
Mack’s golfing career has spanned more than 30 years working as head golf professional at golf courses and tournament directors.
To donate, click here.
| |
NETC Golf Coach Roger Mach sinks a putt during a marathon round of golf Nov. 6 at Marlboro County Club in an effort to raise money through PGA Reach Carolina's 100 Holes for HOPE fundraiser. | |
NETC Golf Coach Roger Mack takes a swing on Hole 2 at Marlboro Country Club Nov. 6 playing more than five rounds of golf for 100 Holes for Hope fundraiser to help veterans and active-duty military learn the sport of golf. | |
Subscribe to NETC Esports: Goal 100 | |
| Monday | 6:30 p.m. Fortnite No-Build (Tier 3) | | Tuesday | 6 p.m. Super Smash Bros. (Tier 1)
7 p.m. COD 4v4 (Tier 2) | | Wednesday | 6 p.m. Madden (Tier 1)
6 p.m. Overwatch (Tier 2) | | Thursday | 7:30 p.m. Valorant (Tier 3) | | Friday | 6 p.m. COD: Warzone2 (Tier 2-3) | | |
CHERAW CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION MAP | |
|
Construction will create changes to entries,
walkways and parking on the Cheraw Campus.
Access on the east side of campus can be made through the 200 Building, the 300 Building gate and the east entrance of the 500 Building. The construction area will block access and parking at the 800 Building and west side of the 500 Building.
| |
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Northeastern Technical College provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, - including the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, age, religion, or disability.
Find Your Career Here!
| |
|
| Nov 1-22 | Food Drive | | Nov. 14 | Open House 1-3 p.m. Cheraw | | Nov. 23-24 | Thanksgiving Holidays | | Nov. 28 | Area Commission Meeting | | Nov. 29 | Open House 4-6 p.m. Cheraw | | Nov. 30 | Pinning Ceremony Cheraw | | Dec. 7 | Winter Graduation | | |
|
High school has really changed since I was a pup.
There was no dual enrollment (or LIFE Scholarships or lotteries for that matter) to offset the costs of a four-year college or university, or even a technical college. Unless you were a brainiac or decent athlete which translated to scholarships, you had to pay for school the old-fashioned way: debt.
The format for high school has changed in most of Northeastern Technical College’s service areas as school districts embraced semester schedules for high schools giving students 32 slots for a required 24 classes to graduate effectively leaving a full school year open.
Thats a looooooong time for teenagers to play on phones and take selfies, binge watch boring modern television, and avoid chores.
Northeastern Technical College offers dual enrollment which can fill that time while helping to cut costs at a four-year college by thousands of dollars – think five digits on the high end. Or, a student can get a jump on learning a skill that can lead to earning real money even as a new hire and lay the groundwork for starting their own business, depending on the skill.
If you are a high schooler reading, this is an opportunity to get a jumpstart on adulthood.
If you are a parent reading, this is an opportunity to get your child out of your house sooner, or to afford to pay you rent.
At high school graduation this summer, did anybody notice the number of students walking across the stage being handed a diploma followed by an associate’s degree?
Completing an associate’s degree is approximately two years of college full-time – if you read the Marlboro High story in this issue of The Roundup, we pulled Francis Marion University’s published tuition for 2024 as an example. Knocking two years out would save $20,000 just in tuition; double that to include on-campus housing with a meal plan.
Without interest factored into the debt, $40,000 translates to $333 a month in student loan payments over the course of 10 years; I’m pretty sure you have better things to spend $333 per month on such as groceries.
Imagine if the school’s tuition was $10,000 a semester.
Get the picture?
You do not have to take your education planning from a school mascot but do take the time gather some data before planning for yourself or for your high school student.
In an upcoming issue of The Roundup, we will be exploring Dillon and Lake View High’s new Ready, Set, Career program aimed at bridging young, skilled workers to fill needed jobs in the greater Dillon County area industries.
These jobs start out between $40,000 to $50,000 a year, based on gathered data.
Kids, you have some real opportunities, make use of them.
Yours,
Blaze
|  | |
|
NORTHEASTERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE
1201 Chesterfield Highway Cheraw, SC 29520
www.netc.edu (843) 921-6900
| | | | |
