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As a student at Edmond North High School,
Courtney Moad had dreams of a college education. But while other
students with similar plans immersed themselves strictly in college
prep programs, Moad -- with some urging from her mother -- chose
to attend Francis Tuttle. Moad said her mother emphasized pragmatic
reasons.
 "No one
in my immediate family had ever gone to college and I think that
her fear was that I wouldn't finish. I think she wanted me to
learn the skills to hold a secretarial job, at the very least,
to earn a living while I attended college," she said.
Moad attended Francis Tuttle during her junior and senior years
of high school, maintaining an A average. During that time, she
studied computer programs because she believed she could use
that training "anywhere, no matter what career I chose."
Today, that education is paying off.
While at Francis Tuttle, Moad received on-the-job training at
a local oil and gas production company. That training opened
the door for continued employment at the company, helping Moad
pay the bills as she attends the University of Central Oklahoma,
Edmond, on an academic scholarship.
Currently, Moad works about 33 hours a week and attends the University
of Central Oklahoma 12 hours a week. While in college she has
maintained a grade point average just shy of 4.0 while in college.
She said her education at Francis Tuttle has helped her both
in the work force and college.
"I think a lot of kids my age have very limited information
about computers and how to manipulate the programs to do what
they need," Moad said.
She noted that her expertise with computer programs allows her
to quickly and easily perform tasks that some fellow classmates
find challenging.
Despite being the youngest person in her office, Moad said she
has become a "go-to" person when people are having
trouble with their computers. Moad also noted that her training
at Francis Tuttle prepared her for the work force in ways that
go beyond basic computer knowledge. She said the emphasis on
the hiring process - including everything from proper appearance
to interview skills - helped her get a job once her technical
skills landed her an interview.
"The workplace has changed. Behind the desk, you have to
deal with other people constantly," she said. "At Francis
Tuttle, I learned skills, like how to interact professionally
with other people, at that I may not have learned otherwise."
Perhaps most importantly, she said, was that her program at Francis
Tuttle forced her to learn how to collaborate with other people-a
valuable skill in the workplace.
"You have to be able to communicate-even if you have an
advanced degree in some great field. If you can't work well with
others, you have no usable skills in today's workplace,"
Moad noted.
posted 6/27/02
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