By Judy Jimmerson – Associate Vice-President for Career Services – Albany Technical College
I served as Career Services Director from 2006 to 2014 and was promoted to Associate Vice President for Career Services in 2014.
Jeanetta Miles
Albany Technical College, Albany, GA
Major: Drafting Technology, Associate Degree
Hometown: Albany, GA
Employer Name/Location: SRJ Architects
Job Title: Drafter
Jeanetta Miles, Drafting Technology student at Albany Technical College, never knew she would find herself just one class away from graduating. Just four years ago, she finally earned her high school diploma after being away from school for nine years.
During those nine years, Miles found herself struggling in life. She had put her life and dreams on the back burner while she cared for her children and mother. Her life up to that point had been full of challenges and hardships that seemed too overwhelming to conquer.
However, one day, while looking at her children she realized she had to make a better life for herself. She realized that if anything happened to her parents or herself, there would be nothing for her children and they could face the same hardships she had to endure.
In 2010, Miles reached out to Even Start, a program that helped her to complete the requirements to earn her high school diploma. Once she had overcome that hurdle, she enrolled in the Strive to Thrive program where she successfully completed and became a volunteer to help others succeed.
“I realized I had to change my situation, break old habits, and change my mindset,” said Miles. “It is through the grace of God and my children that I am here today.”
That decision to change brought Jeanetta to Albany Technical College, where she came across Chinelo Ochie, Albany Tech’s Drafting Technology instructor. Ochie had been Mile’s drafting teacher at Dougherty High School and she was surprised to see her at Albany Technical College. Ochie remembered Miles fondly and proceeded to show her the drafting lab and encouraged her to pursue a degree in drafting. Miles had always enjoyed drawing, creating something new, and helping her community. It was a perfect fit and she has been enjoying her drafting courses immensely since the day she enrolled in the Drafting Technology degree program.
With Ochie’s support and belief in her abilities, Miles is successfully employed as an intern at a local architectural company. She is working each day in a field she loves with a team of architects who make a difference in their community. She is also looking forward to working with Habitat for Humanity where she can continue to make a difference in the lives of others.
Miles’ future goals include earning her bachelor’s degree and continuing to work in the field of architecture and working to improve her community.
She is just one of many students who are benefiting from the Drafting Technology program at Albany Technical College. The Drafting Technology degree and diploma programs prepare you for a variety of positions in the drafting field, such as drafter, CAD operator, or civil technician based on the area of specialization you choose.
Drafting Technology graduates have also found employment in many Albany companies, including MetroPower, SRJ Architects, Dougherty County School System, Technical Associates, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, World Class Aviation, Fabrication Solutions, and Unlimited Control. Drafting education prepared them to be to be creative designers and problem solvers in these industries, which span the building, mechanical, manufacturing, electrical, construction and civil arena.
Judy Jimmerson
Associate Vice-President for Career Services
Albany Technical College, Albany, GA
I served as Career Services Director from 2006 to 2014 and was promoted to Associate Vice President for Career Services in 2014. Ms. Miles took advantage of every service provided by Career Services at Albany Tech. She began by attending a number of job preparation workshops. She received counseling on “dressing for the workplace” to make sure she knew and understood the importance of making a good “first impression”. Secondly, we moved to mock interviews, where Jeanetta was interviewed by a panel of career services professionals. She received feedback on areas needing improvement and did just that, improved and perfected her interviewing techniques. Finally, Jeanette brought in her Career Portfolio, which she had completed for career services as part of ATC’s graduation requirement. Jeanetta practiced her portfolio presentation with career services staff and was now feeling very confident, she was well prepared for her interview with SRJ Architects, and landed her dream job as a Drafter.
