Student Stories

Kris Simpson

My name is Kris Simpson. I am 45 years old, and a Respiratory Therapy graduate from the Portland, Oregon Concorde Career College campus. I graduated January, 2011.

I started this program after I was permanently laid off from my previous job in December of 2008. I had worked there for nearly 13 years, and with the state of the economy, I was looking to have a hard time finding a new job at my same income level, in the transportation industry.

 I felt that I needed to look at a new career field, where the employment opportunities and income potential would be compatible to where I was before I became unemployed. I had heard about Concorde Career College while I was searching for different educational opportunities. I had been a medic in the United States Army Reserve earlier in my life, so I have always had a strong interest in the healthcare field. I then decided that the healthcare industry would provide a strong and stable employment environment, and afford me the income potential I was seeking.

Initially the Portland campus did not have the Respiratory Therapy program, but the campus kept my information on file, and called me up as soon as the program was to initially start, and I enrolled into the first class. The main reason that I chose to go into the Concorde Respiratory Therapy program is that I was able to start right away. I didn’t want the hurdle of a “restricted entry,” or pre-requisite classes to take to qualify for admission to the school. I was further excited with the length of the program, 18 months, which is shorter than the two years at the other programs. The biggest factor with my decision was the clinical hours offered by the program, over 900 hours, which I felt would really prepare me for being a working Respiratory Therapist here in the Northwest. I am very excited to graduate here soon, and start an exciting career in the Respiratory Therapy field. Thank you

Claire Wolfson

The narrative of most people who wind up at world-class company involves them saying “that’s all I ever wanted to do.” This is not the case with Columbia Sportswear’s Claire Wolfson (AD, 2010).

All Claire ever wanted to do was snowboard. So, that’s what she did. When she was 18, she moved from her parents’ house in Cape Cod to attend college in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. After some time in Steamboat, she moved to Park City, Utah where everyday consisted of three things: snowboarding, nannying and sleeping. After years of doing this, though, Claire gured there was more to life than nannying and snowboarding.

She decided to return to school and, hoping to maintain some connection to snowboarding, wanted to focus on outerwear. Given the school’s connection to the outerwear community, The Art Institute of Portland was an obvious fit. In school, Claire gained as much exposure as she could to the apparel industry. She was hired for multiple internships, including one at Grenade Gloves where she lled in as a designer while the company was shortstaed. Her senior collection was selected by PDX Fashion Synergy to be featured in ChinaBound 2010 and exclusively showcased on the runway for China Fashion Week.

Through all of this, Claire desperately wanted to work in outerwear. Shortly after graduation, she had her chance. Claire interviewed and was hired at Columbia, the perfect place for a designer who loves snowboarding. Claire credits the Art Institute with preparing her for her career. My education gave me the building blocks to get where I am today. I was able to develop my conceptual, technical and problem-solving skills to a point where I was ready for the next step.”

Sarah Dick

“I was a 23 year old single mom with a beautiful two-year old daughter and no career so support her. I had struggled with working various retail and food service jobs but was unable to really secure a future.

I had two friends who had attended Concorde and were now working. They were in charge of their own futures and I wanted the same thing. I met with an admissions representative and enrolled into the very next class. The flexible hours, the individualized attention and real hands-on learning best fit my needs. The teachers knew my name and cared about my success.

 In ten months I had graduated and had numerous interviews. I accepted a position with Kaiser Permanente and have worked at two of their clinics for the last 2 ½ years. I support my child and now have a real career with many opportunities and full benefits. Concorde was a great decision and I would recommend this school for anyone who is ready for a new career.”

Luc Cote

Luc Cote lives in a beachtown in Australia, designing characters for the Rockstar video game LA Noire. He was hired directly out of AiPD, moved to the other side of the world and all because he learned something very important: “My education, and where I want to take my life, is up to me,” Luc says, “I can do anything I want. All I have to do is follow through with it.” saying “I am awesome and I am going to dominate this school and four years from now I will be sitting on the beach designing characters for video games.” No, he started by listening. He knew his teachers had industry experience and knew they were being direct with sharing their experiences and expectations. Some students are frightened by this. Luc was empowered. He knew his instructors and advisors knew what they were talking about, so he asked them questions. He worked on both his modeling and his research.

Soon his 3D skills impressed a company located in another hemisphere. Luc knows the possibilities are endless in the gaming industry. “I can work all over the world. And the industry hires from all over the world. I can live anywhere, while getting paid to do that I love doing. Ultimately I can go wherever I want and do whatever I want.” “It’s up to us to make it happen. We just have to make it.”

Susan Atwood

I want to let you know just how incredible Niani Jones is. I was her student in Dental Assisting class and one day I left campus and had decided to quit. I didn’t even tell her I was leaving. About five minutes later my phone rang. It was her, and thank God it was her. We talked and she informed me that we needed to communicate better and that I'd best get back to class; so I did.

Today I am a dental assistant and I absolutely love my career. If it wasn’t for Niani I would still be working at Taco Bell, trying to raise five kids with no financial stability. She gave me so much of her time, energy and had complete confidence in me. Please know that I truly appreciate Niani. (Note: Niani Jones is a teacher in the Dental Assisting Program at Concorde Career College, Portland)

Lukas Van Voorhis

Luke graduated from the Pharmacy Technology Program at Carrington College in Spokane, Washington in March of 2007. Luke has worked in a variety of pharmacy settings including clinical, hospital, and retail.

He is currently employed full time at 1st Avenue Pharmacy in Spokane and as an instructor teaching part time for Carrington College in the Pharmacy Technology Program.

At the encouragement of his Pharmacy Manager at 1st Avenue Pharmacy, Luke is in the process of enrolling at a local college to complete his pre-requisites with the intention of becoming a pharmacist.

Luke has been teaching at Carrington College since October 2010 and is enjoying sharing his love of pharmacy with his students.

Amanda Seaver

After an abusive relationship and being homeless for almost a year, I knew that it was time for a change in my life. I have a love for the area of Criminal Justice, and after doing advocacy work for the homeless community in Portland, Oregon. I discovered that I had the talents to become a Paralegal.

I found ITT Tech's website and made the move to call. I spoke to admissions and started the process to a career that I knew I would love. I can't say that I chose this school or that the school chose me, but I believe this was destiny for me to be at ITT Tech. For the time I have been there, I have found that the teachers from high school and middle school were wrong; I am truly smart and can learn. So now here I am, not only getting my associate's degree, but building a better life for myself.

Alvin Prakash

“My name is Alvin Prakash, 2011 graduate of the Concorde Career College’s Respiratory Therapy program. Concorde has helped prepare and train me properly for a bright and successful career in respiratory therapy.

 As soon as you walk through the doors, everyone from the receptionist to the director of the program treats you like a member of the team. I was amazed to see the amount of effort my instructors and program directors put towards the success of each of the students. They definitely went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure our needs and career goals were met.

Concorde is equipped with up-to-date equipment, an excellent lab, and over 120 years of combined respiratory care experience amongst the staff. Concorde is the only program that offers over 900 hours of clinical time, which has helped improve my skills and form an excellent rapport with my future employers.

Coming from a background of electronics, I wasn’t sure whether the health care field would be right for me. However, Concorde has helped me through each step of the way, and now I can’t imagine a better career than respiratory therapy. I would highly recommend Concorde Career College to anyone who wants get a jumpstart to a successful career. Again my name is Alvin, and I’m a Concorde graduate.”

Mandy Cabellon

"I'm currently attending Cortiva Institute, Seattle, and have enjoyed every second of it. I have to admit it’s hard work. But the harder the work, the more the reward, right?

Prior to attending Cortiva, I was a business marketing/management student at Highline Community College preparing to transfer to the University of Washington. Unfortunately, three fourths of the way through my program, after spending money on tuition, books, time and effort, I found that, "this just isn't what I enjoy." I slid a bit on a downhill stroke, deciding to work full time, unsure of what I wanted to do with myself until I saw an ad for Cortiva Institute. The thought of massage had crossed my mind many times in the past, but I constantly brushed it aside, until now.

That's when I gave Cortiva a call, met an adviser and enrolled in the thousand hour program. After that, I have never looked back.

Since stepping into the classroom the first day, I knew that this is what I loved. Now, with only one more quarter to graduation, I'm anticipating stepping out into the real-world to apply the skills I've learned in class from the most supportive instructors I will ever encounter.

I've never regretted my decision and never will."

Ashley Johnson

"I started out not knowing what I wanted to do with my life after I graduated high school. I decided to pursue acting and modeling. Both paths ended up going absolutely no where. My mother always told me you should always have a "Plan B" in case something doesn’t go as you plan. Since I was about 13, family members and friends would ask for back and feet rubs regularly. I obliged, not knowing that my touch was affecting them in any way.

As I got older, I realized that massage therapy was the career for me. During those teenage years, I researched and developed more of an understanding of the profession. I have always been a highly empathetic person who is very protective and a bit of a nurturer's to those I encounter. My ultimate goal is to not only provide accurate, therapeutic strokes and mechanics but to also be a client-centered therapist.

Cortiva Institute is helping me toward that goal."

Rafael Maslan

"Back in September of 2009, the job I was working went away. I decided that it was high time to go back to school, but my reason for not going back to college yet hadn't changed: I still had no idea what I wanted to learn.

Instead, I turned back to something that had been a constant thread in my past - I kept hearing "Raffi, you should look into massage school!"

This time round, the idea took root and started to grow. I spoke to friends whom I knew were massage therapists and asked them where they studied. There was a common theme immediately apparent: "I went to Brian Utting School of Massage, which is now Cortiva Institute, go to Cortiva,", and "I went to Brenneke School of Massage, which is now Cortiva Institute, go to Cortiva."

Upon looking into it, I instantly liked what I saw: good teachers and a good program, cheerful, knowledgeable students and I liked the location. The introductory workshop sealed the deal, showing us some basic strokes, teaching some basic anatomy and physiology and pairing us off to give each other massages to see if it was a comfortable “fit.”

I'm currently in my third term at Cortiva and still blown away by how much I’ve learned and how much I've changed in only 27 weeks. I look forward to applying the skills I'm gaining at Cortiva in the real world once I graduate."

AshLee Rhines

"My name is AshLee Rhines. I am finishing up my first year at ITT-Technical Institute. I am getting my degree in Criminal Justice. My life has had its ups and downs but I still am succeeding in life! I am a single mother who just went through a domestic violence relationship and I survived. I never thought that I was worth anything because that is what I have been told most of my life.

Going to ITT made me realize that I am smart and wonderful. I am excited to finish my degree so that I can make a better life for me and my son Matthew. He is the reason I wake up every morning! I love to wake up to him saying, “I love you mommy!" To keep me going in school I just picture myself getting my degree and my son clapping so proudly for me. I am glad that I am the person I have become and I can’t wait to graduate."

Shari Murrell

"I went to school in the evenings which was an opposite schedule of my husband's, so we were only able to see each other on the weekends. It was a tough 10 months, but in the end it has really paid off and we are able to spend as much time together as we need."

Shari's best experience was being involved with the Massage Therapy student clinic. She really enjoyed the clients that came in and the learning process was wonderful. She says "I really enjoyed interacting with the public and helping people feel better. I like to see results and smiling faces!"

Shari currently has her own private practice in Newberg, OR and she is also employed at Kort Chiropractic in Sherwood, OR. When she applied for her position with Kort Chiropractic she had a formal interview and was also asked to perform an hour long massage on the chiropractor to demonstrate her massage skills.

Bernard Butler

Before becoming a student at Everest College, Bernard Butler had decided that he wanted a better life. It was around that time that was the starting point of an unfortunate string of events that Bernard was involved in. He became homeless, had no income, got into a car accident, dealt with racism, lost a good friend in an out of state school shooting.

Some time had passed, and Bernard had not lost site of his dream and was still attempting to go to school. He persisted, found a co-signer, and signed up for the Medical Assistant program at the Everett location.

Bernard quickly became a campus favorite. Regardless of what may have been going on in his life, he always had a smile on his face, regularly helping his classmates with a helping hand or a positive word.

Since graduating from Everest College, Bernard began working as a Medical Assistant with Examination Management Services, Inc. Bernard works with clients completing mobile drug screens, clinical trials and insurance exams.

He is now living the "better life" that he had dreamed of.

Nathan Short

Nathan Short has a simple piece of advice for Perry grads launching their careers: "Show up every day and have a good attitude." Short has put that advice into action to advance his career since he graduated from Perry's Machine Technology Program in 2003. He is now a machinist with Climax Portable Machine Tools in Newberg, Oregon. He also teaches machine technology at Chemeketa Community College in Salem.

Short's high school counselor introduced the idea of attending Perry. However, he opted to go to work for a year after graduating from high school before enrolling. That year-long break turned into seven long years working at an Oregon landfill. A desire for a better job in a safer environment led Short to Perry.

"I knew if I wanted a better life, I had to get an education," he said. "Coming to Perry was the best thing I've ever done."