About

Trading that Job for a Career

Erica Williams (right) is a Youngstown native and a National College student with the right attitude. She is in the health information technology program at the Youngstown Campus and is setting a good example for her children. She motivates them every morning by saying, “No frustration; concentration,” before they head off to school.

Erica could be affected by the proposed change in student funding from the Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) where the state may cut the budget by more than half. Earlier this month, she attended an OCOG rally in Columbus with fellow National students from across the state to campaign against the budget cut. She said the rally was an eye-opener for her as she discovered that her voice does mean something. She noted that if you carry yourself with a professional demeanor and have a good attitude you can accomplish something.

If you carry yourself with a professional demeanor and have a good attitude you can accomplish something

Erica’s last job was as a server at Denny’s Restaurant. She quit that job of seven years to concentrate on her studies; and plans to trade that job for a career upon graduation. With her degree, she believes she will find a career that allows for growth, perhaps managing a facility that employs health information technology workers.

Erica appreciates many things about her college, even the small things like free parking. She likes having everything in one building, including the library. Above all, she feels the best advantage to this college is that the teachers know who the students are and earnestly want them to succeed, such as Hamid Nawaz (left) who taught Erica in the Terminology of Body Support class. She will continue fighting to save OCOG; not just for herself but also for others that want to attend a career college like National in the future.

Students are planning a rally to be held on campus Saturday, April 4th at 11:00am to drum up even more support in the fight to save OCOG. The Vindicator recently reported on the upcoming rally and this issue. To read the full article, click here or visit Vindy.com. To learn more about the fight to save OCOG, visit saveocog.org.