Teresa Fisher, Chief Nursing Officer at AMMC
POCAHONTAS, AR Jan. 17— During the month of November, Black River Technical College’s Career and Technical Center (CTC) students, high school juniors and seniors earning college credit, heard from guest speakers in various occupations.
On November 5, Teresa Fisher, Chief Nursing Officer at AMMC spoke to the college’s Allied Health CTC student. Fisher is a BRTC graduate and a former BRTC instructor. She shared with the students about her education and work experience starting out as a patient care technician, then obtaining her BSN and eventually her Master’s in Nursing Administration, and then becoming Chief of Nursing. She explained the wide variety of positions available in healthcare facilities, including CNAs, phlebotomists, EMTs, paramedics, LPNs, RNs, nurse practitioners, information technology specialists, and hospital security guards.
Jesse Meeks, owner of Long Electric and Veracity Electric, spoke to the Industrial Electricity-Electronics students on November 5. Meeks discussed his background and described how he became a licensed electrician and business owner. He also talked to them about the large demand for electricians. Students saw pictures of various work sites his companies have worked on including the newly rebuilt Cheddar’s in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He has just over 100 team members within his two businesses. Qualities he stated that are extremely important to him when hiring are being a team player and dependability.
On November 8, Hunter Brown spoke to hard tech students about the Structural Steel and Pipe Welding Program offered through Corporate & Community education on the Paragould campus. Brown shared that the program is 18 weeks long and the program starts again in January.
On November 12, students on the Paragould campus heard from Don Gordon of Allen Engineering and Sergeant Christian Buen of the U.S. Marines. Gordon shared the history of Allen Engineering with the students, telling them about the equipment they manufacture and ship out worldwide while Sergeant Buen shared information with the students about how the military can help provide CTE career opportunities for them.
Jarrett Robinett, who retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of service, shared his military experience with students on the Pocahontas campus on November 12. Angie Caldwell, Clinical Registered Dietician with St. Bernards Total Life Healthcare, spoke to the students as well. She discussed the importance of good nutrition and described her duties as a dietician.
For more information about the Career and Technical Center, contact Darenda Kersey by phone at (870) 248-4000, ext. 4184 or by email at darenda.kersey@blackrivertech.edu, or visit https://blackrivertech.org/about/departments/career_and_technical_center.