Gateway shows graduate the way to reaching career and life goals
College degree gave her skills, confidence for her work and her life
Gateway graduate Alishah Miller says the top three things she likes about the college are its flexibility, dedicated instructors and the ability to experience a future career through hands-on work in the classroom and work-based learning opportunities.
Gateway Early Childhood Education graduate Alishah Miller said Gateway has provided her with the skills to begin her career at a local company.
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Alishah Miller moved from across the country to Racine during the COVID-19 epidemic, looking for a new beginning.
Once she arrived here, she turned to Gateway Technical College to provide her with the map to find that.
"I wanted to be the first in my family to go to college," says Miller. "I felt college would give me a better way of life. And it's true, it has. Gateway Technical College has given me a better way of life."
Graduate already in the workforce
Miller earned her Early Childhood Education associate degree and has already entered the workforce, working at a local day care taking care of young children. It's work she says she's passionate about and very proud of.
"I'm a little bit of a planner," says Miller. "I wanted to go to college, then get married and then be a mom. I've done all three – I've earned my Gateway degree, gotten married and I have a child I love very much.
"Gateway gave me the confidence to continue with my plans after I earned my degree there. I feel I wouldn't be as confident as a mother as I am without my degree. I wanted to have the education and tools to be able to support my child, to make sure they are safe and well taken care of. The skills I learned at Gateway helped me in my career, and they also helpedme as a parent."
Grad says hands-on learning gave insight into career
Miller says she loves many things about Gateway, but three rise to the top for her: Flexibility, dedicated instructors and the ability to experience a future career through hands-on work in the classroom and work-based learning opportunities.
"I like that Gateway has flexible hours and flexible courses – there are some I could take online, which allowed me to work," says Miller. "I think the hands-on portion was great, too, because it really showed me what I was about to get into and made me really want to pursue this career. I loved that aspect of Gateway.
"I feel sometimes four-year college graduates regret getting their degree because they really didn't know what they were getting into when they were earning it. They didn't have the same hands-on and work experiences as you get at Gateway. You pretty much know what you are getting into at Gateway."
Miller says the hands-on work also prepared her well for her career. It gave real-world experience and a little something else – those social and soft skills needed to succeed.
"I am a little shy, and this pushed me out of my comfort zone; it really opened me up. Every class I took – whether it was in my degree area or a general education class – helped build me to where I am today."
Miller also adds that Gateway provides resources that helped her earn her degree, namely its tutoring services as well as two scholarships – the Albrecht Family Scholarship and Racine Oasis/ Dex Scholarship from the Gateway Technical College Foundation.
"I struggled a little bit in college and the tutoring services were great. They were very receptive, patient and taught me the skills I needed," says Miller.
Are you seeking a better way of life like Alishah?
Gateway Technical College has more than 65 programs that will help you to improve skills in your current career — or find a new career path altogether.
Fall semester begins September 8. Start realizing your career dreams by visiting gtc.edu.
"I felt college would give me a better way of life. And it's true, it has. Gateway Technical College has given me a better way of life."
Alishah Miller
