This fall, Moraine Park is offering a new Information Technology (IT) associate of applied science degree program specializing in applications support. The IT Applications Support Specialist program is one of the many IT programs offered at Moraine Park.

“The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in information technology occupations will grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2021-31 due to growth and replacement needs,” Bobbi Fields, Moraine Park dean of applied technology and trades, said. “This is not just a national trend, but also a trend that we observe in our state and across the Moraine Park district.”

Students in the program will obtain education and training on multiple business applications including Microsoft and Office 365 Administrator; and will be prepared to provide end-user training and support. The college partners with Microsoft to provide students free access to preparation materials and testing for the credentials.

“Regardless of industry, employers are looking for people with strong skills in different office applications,” Deb Clarke, Moraine Park associate dean of business and IT, said. “Students in this program will learn a variety of entry-level technology skills and prepare for Microsoft credentials that district employers are looking for in employees.”

Graduates of the program can leverage entry-level support positions within a variety of industries to master their software support skills and explore opportunities to further focus their IT interests. Some occupations include computer specialist, computer technician, desktop support technician, help desk analyst, technical support specialist and more.

“What makes this program truly unique is that we offer many of the courses through our dual credit program,” Bobbi Fields, Moraine Park dean of applied technology and trades, said. “The Office Software Specialist embedded certificate is designed to provide a pathway for entrance into the IT Application Support Specialist program and gives high school students an opportunity to get a jump-start on college and their future IT careers at no cost.”

Learn more about the program at morainepark.edu/academics/programs/information-technology-applications-support-specialist/.

Hello Joe and Jeff [Moraine Park IT Instructors],

I hope this email finds you well. I have been meaning to reach out to you sooner but my life is as busy as ever. But, better late than never. I want to start by saying, “Thank You”. Thank you for giving me a wonderful learning experience at Moraine Park. I truly did enjoy the lectures, labs, and even the occasional debates that would eventually get the whole class off topic. I also appreciated all the effort you all put into having us students apply our knowledge, skills, and critical thinking through programs like the Computer Clinic, Tech Tyme, and the IT Club. The latter two proved instrumental in helping me develop a sense of leadership, organization, and pride in motivating myself and my peers to go above and beyond to help out the local community by applying what we learned in class. In mentioning that, I hope the Club is going stronger than ever and that more and more students find the real value of the experiential learning that it offers them. 

But all in all, it was a challenging three years that have paid off for me and my family. Prior to enrolling in school, I was giving up in attempting to fulfill my dream of college education before even trying and I was just about ready to succumb myself to working a dead-end job that would lead me nowhere but to complacency. Thankfully, I had a wonderful group of family and friends that encouraged me to finally believe that I could achieve my dream as I did. That moment at graduation was a milestone achievement in my life that my family and I will never forget. 

It didn’t just end there. Last May, there was an opening in the IT department at Masters Gallery Foods. I felt excited, nervous, and stressed about applying for the position and not knowing what kind of candidate they were after. However, I was also confident that all the hard work and sacrifices I put in those three years at MPTC would make me a worthy candidate whether I got the job or not. Needless to say, I aced the interview. I was asked questions about networking, such as defining DHCP and DNS, as well as to what troubleshooting approach would I take when dealing with malfunctioning hardware and software. Also, they were very impressed with the volunteer work I did as well as the internship at JF Ahern. I left the interview not know what would happen next. Two days later as I was driving home from class, I get a call from HR saying that the IT Director and Network Manager had selected me as their primary candidate and that if I chose to accept, I would be joining their Networking Team as a Technical Support Specialist. I couldn’t contain my excitement and relief, I had to pull over to the side of the road as my hands started to tremble and I couldn’t drive straight anymore. 

Almost a year later and I find myself working with coworkers who are just as passionate about working in IT as I am. I feel good going to work every day and feeling proud of what I did to earn it. I look back at all that lead me to this job and I don’t regret one thing. I just wanted to share this story with you so that you realize how impactful your work is in shaping students and their lives. Keep up the good work and I hope to see you soon. 

P.S. I am currently in the process of enrolling at Lakeland University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in their Management of Information Systems program.

Best wishes,

Jose R. Bustos

Moraine Park Class of 2018- Information Technology

On May 1, 2018, Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club kids in grades 5-11 were excited to meet and learn with Moraine Park IT Network Specialist student Phil Conley!

Phil was excited to showcase desktop computer building for Club kids.  He said, “it’s really fun to see the kids excited about building computers and how all the wires and cables work.  Hopefully I helped them learn and explore what a great career field IT can be!”

Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club Director of Teen Services Dillon Wiese said, “Our teens had the fun opportunity to take apart and rebuild 2 computers with Mr. Phil from Moraine Park. What a fun, interactive learning experience for all those who participated!  Thank you Moraine Park for this great stretch of Dream Big presentations! They were enjoyed by all and I can’t say thank you enough for the opportunities you’ve provided our teens with. I’m hoping this is something we can attempt every school year! Your clubs were all tremendous and thank you again to the students and instructors for taking time out of their schedules to help educate our youth.”

The idea for “Dream Big and Have Fun” began with the Moraine Park Technical College District Student Government President/IT Club Vice President, Phil Conley.  Phil was passionate about helping kids after volunteering with the IT Club internet safety project at Boys and Girls Club last year.  He had an awesome brainstorm to reach out to all the Moraine Park Clubs through Student Senate and make a plan for each one to visit the Boys & Girls Club to share some learning and fun from their programs/careers.  Clubs will be featured all throughout the months of March and April.  This is a great opportunity for Moraine Park students to earn service learning hours and for Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club members to get excited about future career choices!

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

Graduating students from Moraine Park Technical College’s Graphic Communications, Interactive Media Design, and Web Design programs will be showcasing their talents at the College’s Portfolio Showcase on Wednesday, May 16, at the Fond du Lac campus.

This annual event highlights the projects and work these graduating students have completed in their respective programs while at Moraine Park, and it allows them to share their projects with prospective employers, the local community and Moraine Park students and staff. Students from the Fond du Lac and West Bend campuses will have their work on display.

Portfolio Night is free and will be held at Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac campus at 235 N. National St. from 4 to 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. For more information, contact Joe Sibilski at (262) 335-5772.

To learn more about all of Moraine Park’s programs, visit morainepark.edu/programs.

Jared Dutra is in the Information Technology – Mobile Applications Developer program here at Moraine Park. We sat down with him to ask some questions about his experience in the program and working in the field.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a 20 year old just following my dreams. Believe it or not, mobile app development came to me right after I graduated, about two years ago. I had plans to go into the military, but broke my knee two weeks before graduating high school. So I got a job at a call center, moved into my own apartment, and started my own life grinding to make it work.

What program have you studied at Moraine Park, and why did you go into this field?
I’m in the Information Technology – Mobile Applications Developer program. I chose this field because I’m interested in all kinds of development, but the mobile platforms are growing substantially right now. So there’s a large, new, market that is ready for me to tap.

What are your plans after graduation from MPTC?
I have already been hired as a developer at Sun Graphics Media in Sheboygan. They are a marketing firm that does a large variety of services, but I landed the position as a developer for websites and mobile web apps. Continue reading

Although we all have a competitive spark living inside of us, some have physical limitations that prevent them from participating in athletic events. Enter the Angels of my TEAM TRIUMPH. Disabled athletes, known as Captains, become part of a team of able-athletes known as Angels. Captains provide inspiration and a sense of joy and excitement all the while being pushed by an Angel in a race using a specially designed chair. Captains and Angels share their moment of glory together when they cross the finish line as a team.

On Saturday July 22, 2017, Hannah Hillesheim, Instructional Technology Specialist at Moraine Park Technology College and Interactive Media Design program alum, participated in the Green Bay Packers 5K Run at Lambeau Field as an Angel. Continue reading

We’re hosting our first-ever Girls Make I.T. Happen summer camp this week at Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac campus. Girls entering 9th through 12th grade from around the area are taking part of this unique, fun event. Continue reading