Career Tech Champion Chinh Phan

CareerTech Champion graphic

Image of Chinh Phan Eight years ago, Chinh Phan arrived in the United States with little more than the clothes on his back. But the most important thing Phan brought with him couldn't be carried in a suitcase. He brought with him the desire to succeed.

Sparked by that desire, Phan recently reached one of his goals - obtaining a diploma from Southern Oklahoma Technology Center's Electronics Program. And, by obtaining that goal, Phan was able to accomplish yet another - finding a good job in the field of technology.

Phan is someone who can easily be described as an Oklahoma CareerTech Champion.

CareerTech Champions are alumni of programs or student organizations of Oklahoma's Career and Technology system, who have found success in a career and attribute much of that success to their career and technology experience.

Phan started work in August with Southwestern Bell in Tulsa as a communications technician at a salary of $30,000 plus and a substantial benefits package.

An adult student from Ardmore, Phan was recruited by Southwestern Bell after scoring high on the Technical Knowledge Test and Technical Mechanical Test administered on campus as part of the SOTC electronics curriculum. The average fail rate for those tests is high, according to Russell Keeton, SOTC electronics instructor, but for adult students enrolled in his program, the pass rate is 80 - 98 percent.

Image of Chin Phan working at computer with instructor Keeton added that contributing to Phan's success was his dedication.

"He would arrive for class early, stay late, work through breaks and possessed a strong desire to learn," Keeton said.

By training through a self-paced computer program, Phan was able to work towards his diploma in the electronics field utilizing an individualized plan of study - something for which career and technology education is noted.

Public education programs, such as the ones offered at SOTC, are something Phan has come to appreciate in the United States.

"As Americans, there are certain things as citizens that we take for granted, including basic freedoms, human rights, and educational opportunities," Phan said. "My rights in Vietnam were not only uncommon, most of the time they were non-existent.

Although he worked hard in his native country to earn a living, he didn't have much to show for it in return. Frustrated beyond belief, he decided to leave Vietnam.

"Our boat was captured by Communist authorities, and I was sentenced to one year in prison for trying to flee my native land."

Determined to make a better life for himself, his wife, and his son, Phan came to the United Image of Phan at computer States under the sponsorship of his father-in-law who had left Vietnam in 1978. Phan arrived in the United States on May 22, 1991 and in July of 1998, he became an American citizen.

One of Phan's goals was to provide a good living for his family and he knew that in the United States, a person who worked hard and was persistent could succeed.

Sandwiching his class between two shifts at work was demanding - both physically and mentally - but he managed this schedule for two years. Through sacrifice and hard work, Phan has fashioned his ambition into a promising career.

posted 1/8/2001 Story by:Dona Walton
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center
Email: dwalton@sotc.org

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	Eight years ago, Chinh Phan arrived in the United States with little more than the clothes on his back. But the most important thing Phan brought with him couldn't be carried in a suitcase. He brought with him the desire to succeed. Sparked by that desire, Phan recently reached one of his goals - obtaining a diploma from Southern Oklahoma Technology Center's Electronics Program. And, by obtaining that goal, Phan was able to accomplish yet another - finding a good job in the field of technology. Phan is someone who can easily be described as an Oklahoma CareerTech Champion. CareerTech Champions are alumni of programs or student organizations of Oklahoma's Career and Technology system, who have found success in a career and attribute much of that success to their career and technology experience. Phan started work in August with Southwestern Bell in Tulsa as a communications technician at a salary of $30,000 plus and a substantial benefits package. An adult student from Ardmore, Phan was recruited by Southwestern Bell after scoring high on the Technical Knowledge Test and Technical Mechanical Test administered on campus as part of the SOTC electronics curriculum. The average fail rate for those tests is high, according to Russell Keeton, SOTC electronics instructor, but for adult students enrolled in his program, the pass rate is 80 - 98 percent. Keeton added that contributing to Phan's success was his dedication. "He would arrive for class early, stay late, work through breaks and possessed a strong desire to learn," Keeton said. By training through a self-paced computer program, Phan was able to work towards his diploma in the electronics field utilizing an individualized plan of study - something for which career and technology education is noted. Public education programs, such as the ones offered at SOTC, are something Phan has come to appreciate in the United States. "As Americans, there are certain things as citizens that we take for granted, including basic freedoms, human rights, and educational opportunities," Phan said. "My rights in Vietnam were not only uncommon, most of the time they were non-existent. Although he worked hard in his native country to earn a living, he didn't have much to show for it in return. Frustrated beyond belief, he decided to leave Vietnam. "Our boat was captured by Communist authorities, and I was sentenced to one year in prison for trying to flee my native land." Determined to make a better life for himself, his wife, and his son, Phan came to the United States under the sponsorship of his father-in-law who had left Vietnam in 1978. Phan arrived in the United States on May 22, 1991 and in July of 1998, he became an American citizen. One of Phan's goals was to provide a good living for his family and he knew that in the United States, a person who worked hard and was persistent could succeed. Sandwiching his class between two shifts at work was demanding - both physically and mentally - but he managed this schedule for two years. Through sacrifice and hard work, Phan has fashioned his ambition into a promising career.
	posted 1/8/2001	Story by:Dona Walton Southern Oklahoma Technology Center Email: dwalton@sotc.org