From a high school welder pursuing project management to a veteran returning to college and a mother beginning a career of her own, students reflect the many paths to higher education
When classes begin at Mid-State Technical College on Monday, Aug. 24, students will arrive with very different stories about what brought them there—and where they plan to go next.
Some are beginning college while still in high school. Others are returning to build on skills and credentials they already have. And some are stepping into the classroom after years away from the workforce.
Together, their stories reflect how the path to education, careers and lifelong learning continues to evolve.
Mid-State served a record 10,000 learners during the previous year, and this fall’s students demonstrate that education increasingly happens at different ages, on different timelines and for different reasons.
“There isn’t one type of Mid-State student, and there isn’t one right path to a career,” said Stephanie Bender, dean of student success at Mid-State Technical College. “Our students come to us with different experiences, responsibilities and goals. Whether they’re beginning college while still in high school, returning to learn new skills or starting a career after raising a family, our role is to meet them where they are and help them build a path to where they want to go.”
Building a college résumé before high school graduation
For Allyson Moore, college isn’t something that starts after high school—she’s already well on her way.
A senior at Marshfield High School, Moore has completed Mid-State’s Stainless Steel Welding program and has earned well over 18 college credits while still in high school, all while remaining active in FFA.
Now, she’s looking toward an entirely different field for what comes next: Mid-State’s business management options.
Moore’s path shows how today’s high school students can use college credit and career-focused education to explore their interests, earn credentials and get a significant head start on their future—all before receiving their high school diploma.
Her experience also demonstrates that an early start doesn’t have to mean choosing one career path. From welding and FFA to an interest in human resources, Moore is using the opportunities available to her to build a broad foundation and discover where she wants to go next.
Returning to Mid-State to keep learning
For David Naud, the start of fall semester represents a return to a familiar place.
A veteran and graduate of both Mid-State’s machine tool and automotive programs, Naud is returning this fall to enroll in the College’s new Auto Collision Repair & Refinish Technician program.
Although he doesn’t plan to pursue a career as an auto collision technician, Naud continues to expand his technical knowledge and provide lab instruction at Mid-State.
His return demonstrates that technical education isn’t necessarily a one-time journey from college to career. Students return throughout their lives to develop new skills, explore new interests and build on what they already know.
Now it’s Emma’s turn
While David returns to Mid-State, his wife, Emma Naud, is beginning a college journey of her own.
A Chinese immigrant who has spent the past eight years as a stay-at-home mother, Emma is entering a new stage of life as the couple’s children head to school.
Now, she is ready to pursue a career of her own through Mid-State’s Health & Wellness Promotion program. Offered fully online, the program gives Emma the flexibility to pursue her education while continuing to balance the responsibilities of family life.
Together, David and Emma offer a unique picture of what education can look like for a family at different stages of life: David continues to expand his education and technical skills while Emma takes the first steps toward building her own professional future.
Their stories, alongside Allyson Moore’s, represent just a few of the many paths students will bring with them when they begin the fall semester at Mid-State.
Fall semester classes begin Monday, Aug. 24, at Mid-State Technical College campuses and locations throughout the district, as well as online.
