Southern Careers Institute made it possible for me to do what I’ve always dreamed of doing.
After losing my job, moving across the country, and selling almost everything we owned, my family and I are together and happier than we’ve ever been. I don’t know where I’d be today without SCI. This is my SCI student success story.
My Backstory
When COVID-19 hit, I was working at a factory in Ohio. I had been there for two years and had worked my way up from a temporary employee to a press operator and then to a forklift driver. The company laid off the majority of its employees, so my kids and I decided to travel with my husband while I was receiving unemployment, and they were in virtual school. My husband is a foreman for a welding company that builds refinery tanks for crude oil. At that time, he was working in Southern Texas.
Months after being laid off, I was informed that I would not be getting my job back in Ohio. We quickly decided to sell our house, my truck, and most of our belongings and temporarily moved to a tiny studio apartment in Rockport, Texas.
Later, after we settled in Ingleside, Texas, I began to search for a job. Although I have nine years of medical experience, all my licenses and certificates were only valid in Ohi. And, I couldn’t find a place that was in need of my skill set. It was impossible for me to find a job that would pay me more than it would cost for a sitter, as my children were all learning virtually at that time.
I thought of going back to school but knew that if I did, it would have to be for something I really wanted to do. It would need to be something that I could take with me no matter where my husband’s job might take us. After a few days of contemplating the idea with him, I made a few calls and decided on Southern Careers Institute and their welding program.
Welding Classes at SCI
I began my classes within a week of my initial phone call to SCI and was lucky enough to receive financial help through unemployment. Everyone was so helpful, and I learned so much from my instructors. I was excited to be an SCI student. After seven short months, I graduated salutatorian of my class with a 4.0 GPA as a certified welder.
Within three weeks of graduation, I had two separate job offers.
SCI Student Success
I now work in a fabrication shop welding, building, and repairing semis, trailers, and dump trucks, and doing all kinds of interesting projects. I’m doing exactly what I’ve always wanted to do and making more money than I did before the pandemic. My family and I are more stable than we’ve ever been.
If you’re looking for a career change with income stability, call Southern Careers Institute today at 1.833.SCI.TEXAS or apply online to be an SCI student. Courses are offered in business, beauty, medical, trades, and technology. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.
This article was published on: 07/14/21 12:05 AM
* SCI does not guarantee employment or a starting salary upon graduation, completion, or withdrawal from SCI. As an accredited post-secondary institution, SCI has various federal financial assistance programs available for students who qualify and are enrolled in SCI programs. This does not apply to seminar students.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
