"Starting college as a displaced worker was very terrifying for me. When I first lost my job at GM after 11 years, I really didn’t think there was much hope. Immediately upon registering at Sinclair, I attended a meeting for displaced workers and from then on, things couldn’t have turned out better. During the past two years I have come in contact with a number of people that have had a direct impact on my academic and professional career. I received a displaced workers scholarship twice, as well as ones from Choose Ohio First and WIA funding. I didn’t work at all while going to school, so I was able to spend more time studying than worrying about how to pay for school.
I received a job offer on November 1, 2010 from Gosiger as a Junior Electro-Mechanical Technician. Without Sinclair, none of this would have been possible. I cannot even begin to thank everyone who has had such an impact on my life."
-Todd Sollar
“Two years ago when it was announced that the Mead Westvaco plant I had worked in for 32 years would be moving to Mexico, I decided to make a career change.
The Displaced Worker Counselors at Sinclair helped me through the process of planning classes, preparing my TAA contract, and making sure my enrollment process went smoothly. I am now halfway through the nursing program, and this winter I will have the opportunity to visit Guatemala and apply the skills that I have been taught through the program. If it had not been for Sinclair and the help of the Displaced Worker Counselors, it would not have been possible for me to fulfill my dream.”
-Brenda Eggleton
“I can’t believe the time has come to graduate. I have had some challenges and difficult classes which required many late nights. However, the late nights, sacrificing, determination, and commitment have paid off.
Sinclair has been one of the best and most challenging experiences of my life. The challenge came from being an older student returning to college after being laid-off. I’m happy that I chose Sinclair to continue my education because the resources to assist students are exceptional. The Tutorial Services and Displaced Workers Office helped me overcome my challenges and made my life a lot easier.
The instructors are great because after a quarter has ended, you still see instructors who encourage and network with students to help them achieve their academic and career goals. I have been able to accomplish my goals and reestablish myself by finding new heights of academic success that I never dreamed I could achieve. My time at Sinclair has been an amazing experience.”
-James Harris
“Laid off from EDS in 2009, I began attending Sinclair in the spring of 2010. While enrolled at Sinclair, I never stopped looking for employment and was recently hired as a Software Developer with a WPAFB contractor. My time at Sinclair made me far more comfortable and confident in my skills throughout the interviewing process. Even though I am working now, I plan to complete my degree on a part-time basis.”
-Leah Pratt
I’ve been at Sinclair for three quarters, and I will graduate with 3 certificates at the end of March and currently hold a 3.4 GPA. For me education is a journey not a destination because it never ends, and you can always better yourself. When I first started at Sinclair, I was overwhelmed because I had been out of college for over 15 years. But the journey was made much easier with the help of Chad Bridgman and Cliff Lauchlan from the Displaced Workers’ Office and Lindsay Tate in Career Services. Plus there was the help of my academic advisor Karen Blake (she’s a godsend), and several professors in the OPT Technology Program, Charlie Winarchick, Dr. David Meyers, and Professor Lynn Seery, who really went out of their way to help me. I would like to thank each and everyone for their help. I know I had to do the footwork, but I had good people in my corner. Right now I’m considering several job leads and will definitely let you know which one I accept.
-Arthur Gaiton II