Tell us your student story
Are you currently attending, or a graduate of, a Northwest Career College? Tell us your story and we might post it on our site.
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Did you know?
The first recorded private "venture" school opened in 1705 in Colonial America, the first business college opened in Washington in 1886 and Perry Technical Institute opened in 1941, making it the oldest, continuously operating private career college in Washington. In 2009, private career colleges are highly efficient educators, integral to the economy's turn-around by providing career-focused education.
Student Stories
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."