Mary West

In many ways, life has turned full circle for Mary West, who graduated from the Lorain County Joint Vocational School in 1982, returned to the JVS Adult Career Center for more training in 2006, and is now employed by the JVS as administrative assistant to the assistant principals.

"This is a dream come true," said West, who enrolled in the JVS Computerized Business Technology Program (CBT) and became certified in Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel and XP, in nine months.

The single mother with two children and a mortgage said that she did not think twice about looking to the Adult Career Center after becoming unemployed. "I knew the JVS could help me upgrade my computer skills and help me redirect my life and find a new career," stated West.

"For the first time in my life, I could not support myself or my children," said West, who was laid off by her employer after 11 years of service in a restaurant management position. "I had to get back into the workforce right away, but I didn't have years to spend in school. I knew that I needed more than secretarial skills and hands-on management experience to secure a good-paying job."

"Coming back to the JVS as an adult student was difficult," West said, and credits
Adult Career Center instructor Terri Brennan for helping her make a smooth transition. Brennan teaches the Computerized Business Technology Program.

"Terri understood my situation. She was always there for me," West continued. "Computer courses can move fast. But Terri was patient and not afraid to sit with me when I didn't understand something. She knew I wanted to understand everything thoroughly."

Brennan also helped West secure financial aid, urging her to apply for grants and scholarships that paid for her training and certification. In turn, West now makes herself available to talk with Brennan's current students, offering advice that she thinks will be helpful.

"Terri is an excellent instructor," West said. "She was really concerned about my future. I'm happy to 'pay it forward' and help students in the CBT program by talking to them about my experiences."

West completed a three-week internship at the JVS during the program and submitted her resume to the school for future employment consideration. She also worked briefly as an administrative assistant at Shiloh Industries in Wellington and an account maintenance specialist at Equity Trust in Elyria before a position in the JVS Student Services Office became available in 2007.

"Being offered the position was one of the happiest days of my life," said West, whose duties are varied but include collecting/filing student emergency medical forms, coordinating building use reservations, scheduling substitute teachers, arranging busing for field trips and competitions, distributing mail, scheduling students' photo sessions and managing school announcements.

"A very wise woman once told me that when a door shuts, a window opens. I feel that the window has opened for me. I have a wonderful job and I am blessed to be a part of the staff at Lorain County JVS."