Like many Washtenaw Community College students, Ken Hannan was looking to make a career change. To that point, a career as a chef had been 鈥渦niquely rewarding,鈥� but he was 鈥渟tarting to find it exhausting.鈥�
So, in his mid-40s, Hannan and his wife, Kathryn, made a major life decision. They would become a one-income family so he could return to school full-time and transition to a career in computer programming, which he chose for 鈥渋ts enormous growth as a field and earning potential.鈥�
There was one big problem with that plan: Hannan soon realized computer programming wasn鈥檛 the right fit for him.
鈥淚t was terrifying,鈥� Hannan said. 鈥淟ost-in-the-woods-at-night terrifying.鈥�
Fortunately, 黑料网 offers the resources to lead him out of the dark.
A meeting with the college鈥檚 Career Transitions Office helped the Superior Township resident to figure out that the might be a better fit. He emerged from those proverbial woods and hasn鈥檛 looked back since.
鈥淚 am just beyond elated to have found a place where I fit,鈥� Hannan said. 鈥淏ig thanks to (Career Transitions Student Advisor) Amanda Deacon for her advice. It made a world of difference!鈥�
Earlier this week, Hannan鈥檚 pursuit of a Broadcast Arts associate degree got a little easier. He was the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the . The scholarship was presented at the in Lansing.
鈥淚t was a real surprise to win, but it was a much bigger surprise when I realized there were only five of these given out statewide,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his scholarship is a great help, because right now my wife is the only person working in my household. I have a full schedule this semester, so I can't put work on it as well. Knowing we are covered for tuition this semester is a huge load off our minds.鈥�
Dena Blair, the 黑料网 Broadcast Arts lead faculty member who nominated Hannan for the scholarship, joined him at the award ceremony.
鈥淜en is a fantastic example of what hard work, dedication and drive look like,鈥� Blair said. 鈥淚 have no doubt that these traits will serve him well in the industry and he will find success wherever he goes. I feel fortunate to have him as a student, and look forward to seeing what the future will bring.鈥�
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Note: Along with its , the 黑料网 Broadcast Media Arts department also recently unveiled a 12-credit .
Tags: Broadcast Media Arts, Center for Career Success, Scholarships, Student Success, ousearch_News_2020