Moraine Park Technical College student, Jared Ott of Fond du Lac, placed first in the NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge, a collaborative regional pitch event, on April 29.

The NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge is an opportunity for area technical college students to display their entrepreneurial skills. Students interested in participating were required to apply by March 26. The entries were evaluated on content, delivery, visual aids, creativity, and overall persuasion. From there, the top entries advanced to the challenge event on April 29. This year’s event was held virtually. 

The students selected to represent Moraine Park at the NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge were Ott and Abby McGeehen of Berlin. Jared is a high school senior from the Fond du Lac STEM Academy who is currently enrolled as a business student through the Start College Now program. Abby is a current student, enrolled in the Business Management and Small Business/Entrepreneurship programs. Moraine Park instructor Jeff Stueber worked with the students and provided coaching.

“This event is a valuable learning opportunity for our students,” Bobbi Fields, associate dean of business and IT at Moraine Park said. “I am grateful for the many individuals at the College who helped ensure this was a successful event. Jared and Abby did an excellent job representing the college. We are proud of their efforts and wish them the best in their entrepreneurial endeavors.” 

Ott’s winning pitch was his specially designed fishing hooks that help secure live bate. Ott’s fishing hooks are already secured by a U.S. patent.

The other participating colleges were Fox Valley Technical College, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and Lakeshore Technical College.

morainepark.edu

Amanda’s Custom Cookies combine the taste of amazing along with artistic and personalized creation.  Amanda Rogers is a student at Moraine Park Technical College. She will earn her Associate degree in Small Business and Entrepreneurship this spring and plans to pursue a degree in Marketing as well.

Over the last year, using a family cut-out cookie recipe and her talents of art has grown from a hobby to a small business.  Amanda combines the taste and art in a cookie that is almost too pretty to actually eat!  Not only has she created these amazing cookies, but she also now has developed a class in which you and four of your faves can partake in her kitchen to learn and create your own cookies through a class of cookie decorating.  This two-hour class will fly by in fun and design as Amanda, herself, will guide you through the fine skills of cookie art. 

As a student at Moraine Park Technical College, Amanda was required to set up a pop-up store for her Capstone course.  Instructor, Jeff Stueber states that not only did her pop-up store held on May 1, 2021 at Stone Oak Coffee sell out of product, but her cookie business exceeds expectations of business planning and marketing.  Next time you need something unique as a gift or want to take a fun class, consider checking out Amanda’s Custom Cookies on Facebook.

Graduating students from Moraine Park Technical College’s Graphic Communications, Interactive Media Design, IT – Software Developer, and Web Development & Design and Mobile Applications Developer programs will be showcasing their talents at the College’s Portfolio Showcase on Wednesday, May 12, at 6 p.m. The event will be completely online.

The Portfolio Showcase is an annual event that highlights the work these students have completed in their respective programs while at Moraine Park. The event allows them to share their projects with prospective employers, the local community and Moraine Park students and staff.

For more information on Portfolio Night event, visit morainepark.edu/portfolio-showcase.

When MPTC Leadership Development student Nikki Toombs needed to choose a service learning capstone project, she knew just what she wanted to do! Nikki said, “I chose to take on this project because I wanted to help people who are going through tough times in our Ripon community. I also know the effects stress can have on a person — that is why I love the food pantry and what they do for those who could use a helping hand.”

Nikki designed an entire food drive event for the Ripon Community Food Pantry, complete with gathering a volunteer team, creating a logo, facebook page, web postings, business contacts database, silent auction fundraiser, flyers and outreach plan.

Nikki’s project helped the Ripon community gather 876 pounds of food donations at Webster’s Marketplace and raise $722 through the silent auction and monetary donations. Way to go!! One special donation was made in memory and honor of Ron LeMahieu; to help his family always remember the moments and love they shared. Nikki stated, “I think the little things, like a simple “thank you” go a long way. I have received some great feedback from people. My goal of getting the community together to support those in need is being recognized and I am achieving my goals!”

Congratulations on your successful project Nikki and on earning an MPTC Gold Community Impact Award for over 100 hours of service!

Find out more about Nikki’s project in the Ripon Commonwealth Press.

Moraine Park’s Virtual Assistant program is working to help fill the increased need for remote workers. This technical diploma program is offered online and provides the tools and skills needed to excel in a work-from-home career. 

This program, formerly the Office Assistant program, was modified last year before COVID-19, to address the increased virtual needs all around. 

“There was an increased need for virtual careers well before COVID-19,” Amy Harmsen, an instructor at Moraine Park, said. “Now with the changes that resulted from the pandemic, I feel this program will help many individuals find employment options that work for their new reality.” 

The Virtual Assistant program is a one-year program and opens the doors of opportunity in many areas. 

“The Virtual Assistant program prepares you to work in just about any industry,” Harmsen said. “Fields such as healthcare, insurance, information technology, hospitality, retail, and more, need virtual support. This program is also a stepping stone for the Administrative Coordinator two year associate degree.” 

Students in this program learn a broad range of skills that will help address the needs of local businesses.

“This degree isn’t just for virtual careers. It helps to prepare business professionals all around,” she said. “Our students leave this program prepared to be problem solvers and flexible, and they have the tools needed to adapt to changing needs.” 

This year’s students have had to make some significant adjustments to their meeting and event planning class, which is usually centered around planning the in-person Portfolio Showcase event for the College. Instead, they are moving forward with the same event- except it will be delivered as a virtual event this year which provides a great opportunity for deeper learning.

“This class is getting real-world experience on how to be flexible and learn as they go,” Harmsen said. “I’m proud of their professional solutions. They will be entering the workforce at the end of this semester, and I am confident that they are prepared for what may lie ahead in their careers.” 

Moraine Park’s Virtual Assistant program is the only program of its kind offered in the state, and its virtual classroom setting offers an ideal learning environment for busy schedules. 

“If you’re interested in finding a career that offers the work from home flexibility or if you simply want to advance your skillset- this program is a great option,” Harmsen said. “This program can help prepare you for an assistant role. Employers can utilize this program to prepare employees and provide them with opportunities for growth and advancement internally.” 

For more information on Moraine Park’s Virtual Assistant program, visit morainepark.edu/virtual-assistant.

Moraine Park Technical College is committed to community engagement and student success.  The College supports these commitments through the opportunity for students to participate in student community impact and apply their classroom knowledge to an applicable, real world environment. 

In 2018, MPTC started a community impact awards program where students can track their service hours, submit their reflections, and earn a Bronze Award for 25 hours, Silver Award for 50 hours, Gold Award for 100 hours, or Presidents Award for 200 hours of service learning or volunteering.

This fall we have awarded our third President’s Award Winner – Barbara Turner! Barbara earned the President’s Award with over 240 volunteer hours. For her exemplary service, Barbara was also recently honored with the Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leader Award.

Barbara plans to graduate in May 2021 with her Associate Degree in Business Management. She has already earned an associate degree in Leadership Development.

Upon receiving the President’s Award, Barbara stated:  “I am very grateful and honored to receive this award. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mary Vogl-Rauscher, Leadership Development Instructor in MPTC, and Tracy M. Propst, the Executive Director in Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce, for the volunteering opportunity.” President Bonnie Baerwald said, “Barbara consistently demonstrates that she is a committed, dependable, hard-working individual with a high degree of integrity. She brings a positive attitude and a natural curiosity to plan, learn and do – no matter what the task or project. She has a tenacious gift to persevere and a real desire to make a difference in this community. Barbara has a proven track record for success and has demonstrated her commitment to lifelong learning and volunteerism.”

Congratulations Barbara!

Project management skills are sought after and across the globe, an increasing gap between employers’ need for skilled project management workers and the availability of professionals to fill those roles. The Project Management Institute (PMI) forecasts that by 2027, employers will need nearly 88 million individuals in project management-oriented roles. A project management skillset pays off. PMI’s research of wages in the United States in 2017 for workers with a project management skillset reported premium wages and those who obtained certification through PMI reporting earnings 20 percent higher (PMI, 2017).

Chuck Breithaupt is an IT Project Manager at Moraine Park Technical College. He is a member of the PMI and holds the Project Management Professional (PMP) credential. He shared his thoughts on the importance of the project management skillset and the Project Coordinator Certificate that is offered at MPTC.  “MPTC’s objective is to provide you with foundational education and practical skills for your profession; consider this training a step in a journey to career success. Additional training for certifications and accreditations like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) awarded by the PMI can be the difference between getting a job, succeeding in a job, and advancing in your career. The project management courses at MPTC go beyond mere practical exercises; they also provide the theory to achieve professional accreditation to start a fulfilling career”.

Project management skills are needed in all industries. Manufacturing, construction, Information Technology, Financial and Insurance services are among the industries seeking those with project management skills. Chuck weighed in on his career in Information Technology. “If your chosen profession is Information Technology, project management training helps you function as a project team member or in the project manager’s role. It is common for an IT specialist to perform as a technology resource, business analyst and project manager in many organizations”.

The Project Coordinator Certificate at Moraine Park Technical College prepares students for entry-level positions that require project management skills, and introduces skill-sets for project management professionals.  Students who complete the certificate are eligible to write PMI’s CAPM certification exam. All courses in the certificate directly transfer to the Business Management, Business Analyst, Leadership and Organizational Development, and Administrative Coordinator Associate Degrees.

If you are interested in learning more about the Project Coordinator Certificate, visit our Admissions page online by visiting https://www.morainepark.edu/admissions/new-student/how-to-apply-for-admissions/

References

PMI (2017). Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap 2017–2027. https://www.pmi.org/learning/careers/job-growth

82% of middle-level careers are considered digitally intensive (Bradley, Restuccia, Rudnicki, & Bittle, 2017).  The proficient use of technology is required in almost all careers and is essential to upward mobility.  Jobs with digital skill requirements are “growing faster, pay more and offer greater opportunity for career advancement than jobs without those requirements” (Bradley, Restuccia, Rudnicki, & Bittle, 2017). 

Earning micro-credentials is a quick, valuable way to provide employers with evidence that applicants possess these digital skills.  Micro-credentials are defined as “mini-qualifications that demonstrate skills, knowledge, and/or experience in a given subject area or capability” (SUNY, 2017). These credentials can be earned in shorter time, are often more focused, and can be a stepping-stone toward a degree.

Why is it so important to be technologically proficient?  Let’s consider our own work experiences.  Most of us have collaborated on projects with co-workers who are less efficient than they might be if they learned to digitally collaborate, utilize file sharing, and collectively edit documents. We may have worked with someone who took longer to write a report than necessary because they did not learn new technology.  We have felt frustrated by a co-worker who could not interpret numerical data or share it in a manner that was easily understandable.  We have sat through bad presentations that leave us feeling disengaged.  We have experienced working with someone who cannot pull data into a comprehensive and easy to interpret report.  This results in an inefficient use of time and results in lack of productivity. Learning to utilize collaborations tools, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access can make our workplaces more effective and efficient. 

Today’s workplace requires the ability to pivot, work remotely and collaboratively, and adapt to change.  Moraine Park offers many classes that build and enhance skills in technology.  Our Office Software Suite Certificate is available in a hybrid format and builds essential skills in collaboration, word processing, working with spreadsheets, creating engaging presentations, and utilizing databases.  Badges earned in these classes can be shared electronically with co-workers, social media, and potential employers.  More information is available here: https://www.morainepark.edu/academics/programs/office-software-suite-certificate/

Written by Stephanie Murre Wolf, Moraine Park Technical College, Business Technology & Software Applications Instructor, Information Technology Academics

References
Bradley, B., Restuccia, D., Rudnicki, C., & Bittle, S. (2017). The Digital Edge: Middle Skill Workers and Careers. Boston, MA: Burning Glass Technologies. http://www.burning-glass.com/wp-content/uploads/Digital_Edge_report_2017_final.pdf​ 
SUNY. (2017, October 24). What are micro-credentials and how can they benefit both businesses and employees? Retrieved from Deakin: https://www.deakinco.com/media-centre/article/Benefits-of-micro-credentials-for-business-and-employees#:~:text=Micro%2Dcredentials%20are%20mini%2Dqualifications,qualifications%20like%20diplomas%20or%20degrees. 

Do you have a great idea for a new product, service, or innovative startup? Show off your entrepreneurial skills at Moraine Park Technical College. Current MPTC students are invited to “Pitch at the Park”.  

Individuals or group entries are eligible. To enter, complete the entry form, submit a summary of your project in 250 words or less along with a video. The video may be up to 90 seconds. A slide deck may be included with your submission. Entries must be received by March 26^th. Entries will be evaluated on content, delivery, visual aids, creativity, and overall persuasion.

Two individuals or teams will be selected and notified by March 30^th. The winning entries will go on to represent Moraine Park Technical College at a regional Pitch event. Small Business/Entrepreneurship Instructor Jeff Stueber will provide coaching sessions to those selected to go on to The NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) Pitch Event. The NEW Pitch Event will be held at Fox Valley Technical College, 1825 N Bluemound Drive in Appleton on April 29^th, from 4-7pm. Participants will compete for cash prizes.

Entry materials are available through the online entry form: MPTC Pitch at the Park Application.

For more information please contact pitchatthepark@morainepark.edu.