It was a landmark graduation ceremony at Saint Martins University, marking 1,000 graduates in 10 years. This month, the information technology (IT) certificate program saw 52 graduates on December 15. The program runs four times per year and offers three disciplines: Server and Cloud Application, Cloud Application Development, and Cybersecurity Administration.
This is not just any certificate. This is an intense 16-week certificate program at Saint Martins with a fabulous placement record. Per Saint Martin's website, these graduates earn an average salary of $75-89K, with 90% employed within six months. Some graduates continue toward a degree, but the majority go directly to work. Overwhelmingly, students told this reporter that the individualized help from the tech instructors plus the support from their “cohorts,” as they call each other, made this program a life-changing experience.
You may assume these candidates must have worked in IT during the military, had IT degrees, or at least an IT background of some sort, but no, not necessarily. The Hal and Inge Marcus School of Engineering sponsors the program, and Dean David Olwell, Ph.D., stated that candidates need not have an IT background. In fact, the program aims to train soldiers who need new skills that transfer to civilian life. He stated that many graduates have no IT background. Case in point: during the reception, I met Ms. Future Zhou, who worked in distribution services (supply and logistics), during her time in the service, and had not worked in IT. On December 15th, she graduated in Server and Cloud Administration. “With the help of my fellow students and lots of faculty support, I made it through!” She also mentioned the helpfulness of Damian Thomas – more about him later – the 1,000th graduate. She is thrilled with the program. “I retired from the military today, Friday, and I start in IT at Boeing on Monday!” Sitting with Ms. Zhou and her mother was another graduate, Monique McGee. Ms. McGee has previously worked in server administration but chose this program to help her transition to civilian life. McGee is moving to Florida to look for work.
Vets2Tech is local, but also part of a national program. It is part of the Hiring Heroes Act sponsored by U.S. Senator Patty Murray in 2012. Senator Murray joined the graduation electronically and spoke to the graduates via the big screen, wishing them well and big congratulations.
The program enrolls active-duty service members, military veterans, and spouses. (I also saw a dependent on the graduate list.) Students attend classes in person at the Lacey campus and at JBLM. They earn (18) college credits in those 16 weeks. And there are no out-of-pocket expenses for students using VA funding. Moreover, 45% of students enrolled in the program earn at least one technical certificate. (These certificates are important in the world of IT.)
Professional development is provided throughout the program for resume building, interview preparation, and job search techniques. Nvia Rodriguez, Career Development Manager for Cyber Security, pointed out to me how important it is to help graduates connect with the civilian work world. And support is continued after graduation until employment. Some current hiring partners include Amazon, Oracle, Washington State, and TekSystems. Ms. Rodriguez introduced me to Ernest Jackson, a Yelm resident. He is coming out of the US Army as an E6 Staff Sergeant with a certificate in cybersecurity administration. Happily, he is stepping into a job at Lockheed Martin.
Saint Martins has a history of partnerships with the military dating back to World War I, and hundreds of veterans enrolled after WWII using the GI Bill. According to Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, the Council of College and Military Educators (CCME) has twice named Saint Martin’s University for the CCME Institution Award in recognition of its significant contributions to the cause of military education, once in 2014 and again in 2021. In addition, Saint Martin’s has been named a Military Friendly School with Gold Status for multiple years and was the first Purple Heart university in Washington state.
Graduate Damien Thomas, from Oklahoma, is coming out of the US Army as an Army Specialist 3, working in information technology. His certificate is in Server and Cloud Application Pathway. His graduation has a special distinction as he is the 1,000th graduate of the program. He hopes to work in government service and is job-searching locally. Several fellow graduates commented about his helpfulness to those needing special assistance – my kind of IT guy!
Colonel Kent Park, Joint Base Commander, JBLM, gave the keynote address. The commander encouraged graduates to rekindle their sense of curiosity that may have laid dormant during their time in the military. He pointed out that it is difficult coming from a culture of implicit obedience to one where asking questions is not just accepted but celebrated. He described four kinds of questions (clarifying, context, collaborative, and reflective). He encouraged the use of questions to learn and grow, stay humble, recognize the abilities and potential in others, and look at the big picture.
He encouraged the graduates to go forward and consider their time in the military as just one part of a lifelong calling, a commitment to meaningful contributions that goes beyond the uniform. He said that the spirit of service should be a theme of all of our lives and quoted one of our founding fathers, John Quincy Adams. When asked what he would do after leaving office of the Presidency, Adams answered, “I shall take the greatest office in the land, that of the private citizen.”
Shirley Stirling, of Lacey, writes about good things people in Thurston County are doing. If you’d like to nominate someone to be profiled, contact her at shirley@theJOLTnews.com or comment below.
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