As a kid growing up in South Holland, Illinois, Enyinnaya Omelogu always wanted to follow in his parents’ footsteps and join the healthcare community. He witnessed the humbling and fulfilling emotions his mother Deborah would experience. She told Enyinnaya “joy and sorrow are not unusual on any given shift.” As a proud graduate of Thornwood High School, Enyinnaya didn’t immediately…
An ‘Impossible’ Road to a Healthy Career
Norma Highsmith never gave up on reaching her ultimate goal. The 42-year-old knew that if she was to going to overcome her roadblocks to a rewarding career in the medical field, she needed to “expand her horizons” through a college education. “One day I saw a flyer about South Suburban College’s Allied Health & Careers Programs and I knew this was my opportunity,” said Norma, a resident of Markham, IL. That opportunity will culminate this spring when Norma…
Breaking the Code to a Fulfilling Career
When Yvonne Stovall took early retirement from her United States Post Office position, she never dreamed it would be the catalyst to inspire her achievement of a college degree, let alone a more meaningful career. Yvonne, a South Holland resident, contemplated her options. She was 49 years young, and she knew she wanted to continue working. Yvonne felt fortunate that…
(Steno)Interpreting the Signs for Career Change
Community Colleges provide an opportunity for students to explore a wide range of careers that will have a significant impact on their future happiness and well-being. However, the choices that individuals face to pursue their own dreams for a meaningful career are often not so straightforward and may even take some additional change of direction. Chicago resident Grace Roh was…
Many Roads Lead through Community College
Like many students navigating career choices in 2019, Obi Echeumuna and Carolina Galvan found out the pathway to their dream careers in Pharmacy would not be so straightforward. While Obi pursues his pre-pharmacy credentials with the goal to one day become a Doctor of Pharmacy, Carolina dedicated herself to certification and licensure to get right into the workforce as a…
Small Steps to Big Rewards
Like many moms who spend countless years focused on raising their kids, getting them to and from practice and school, taking care of their every last need, Alison Dolbeer daydreamed about what her life would look like when she was ready to return to the workforce. Her pathway started with a scholarship and landed her a rewarding job faster than…
When Passion Meets Perseverance
Echocardiography careers are trending and echo technicians are expected to realize a 22% projected job market growth through 2024 according to BLS. Ammar Allaluki’s perseverance connected his passion for healthcare to the American workforce through South Suburban College’s highly specialized two-year program. Ammar came to the United States from Libya to make a better living for his family. With a…
Unexpected Returns
Joshua Patel was one of the many U.S. citizens who made up the 9.5% unemployment rate of 2009 during the heart of the recession. Armed with a Master’s Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Roosevelt University, Joshua could not find gainful employment, let alone land an interview in his chosen profession. A lifelong Riverdale resident and graduate of Thornton Township…
MAXing Out Your Elevator Pitch
Shelby O’Hara was terrified. She knew graduation was on the horizon from Columbia College in Chicago where she would earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. What would she do next? Did she have the necessary skills to compete in a competitive job market? Shelby, 22, of Midlothian, received an unexpected answer to her anxious thoughts when she was selected…
From Harvey to Humanitarian
“Education will set you free,” Terrell McKinney likes to tell his students. Terrell is an ambitious, 30-year old Chicago Southland resident who will be leaving his post as the Director of Online Outreach at The Family Centered Educational Agency in South Holland this month to follow his own advice. “Go out into the world and experience things for yourselves rather…