Before you buy a house, before you apply for a job, before you take a trip … what do these things all have in common? The word “before.” Before is the time that you gather information. Before is making sure you understand what is about to happen. Before is when you analyze data and then use that to make a decision.

In the world of business, decisions can be the difference between success and failure. The before scenario in the workplace is where a business analyst shines. Continue reading

The Moraine park accounting curriculum includes training in two of the most popular small business accounting programs: Sage 50 (formerly called Peachtree) and QuickBooks.  Students are also provided the opportunity to complete the QuickBooks certification exam at a reasonable cost. The exam tests technical abilities in order to demonstrate accounting proficiency, and Nancy chose to complete the certification in order to “stand-out from other applicants.”

Nancy is the first college graduate in her extended family, but her inquisitive mind and the encouragement of a high school teacher provided the requisite spark. Self-motivation and effort propelled Nancy to earn a BS at UW-Madison and a teaching certificate at Silver Lake College. Continue reading

What is a teacher? What is our role? What makes a good teacher great? What makes a great teacher better?  How can I make my classroom more exciting?

Have you ever wondered if a teacher just gets up one morning and jumps into a classroom?  Have you ever wondered why your Nursing, Human Resources, Automotive instructor etc. do what they do?

I’ll tell you, it is a journey. Continue reading

Moraine Park Technical College alumnus Tyler Soto recently returned to our classrooms to discuss his time in our Human Resources program, and where his education here has led to both before and since graduation:

Here’s Tyler’s journey, in his own words: Continue reading

It was quiet around Techniques Salon and Spa this week because of spring break, but that didn’t keep the students from learning.  Both classes of students along with one of their instructors, Ms. Eileen, attended the 2017 America’s Beauty Show in Chicago.  “Highlights” of their adventures were: Continue reading

The Economic and Workforce Development department at Moraine Park Technical College kicked off the first 2017 Business Forum on Friday, March 10, with the topic of Talent Development Strategies and maximizing your most valuable resource. Continue reading

Moraine Park recently took part in the Wisconsin Technical College System’s (WTCS) Student Showcase at the State Capitol, and a neat project done by my graphic communication students was featured at the event.

This project was called “Making Memories.” Continue reading

Analytics, the process of examining large data sets to uncover patterns, is everywhere. And from Nursing to the NFL, “big data” is everywhere. But long before this term was coined, accountants were using data to discover trends.

Indeed, accountants are the catalyst for this rapidly growing trend, and they are at the center of its use. Continue reading

Mary Polter knows the benefit of education and hard work.  In the late 1980s, she graduated from Moraine Park Technical College’s administrative assistant program while serving in the Army Reserves.  For 25 years she worked in accounts payable at two employers.  But when her department was outsourced overseas, she spent nine months searching for a new job.  She considered her options and accepted her former employer’s reeducation funding.

Mary took a step in a new direction with college that had helped her in the past.  She returned to Moraine Park to earn an associate degree in accounting. Continue reading