KSU’s College of Continuing and Professional Education concluded its winter Open House event at the KSU Center with hundreds of attendees. The event featured interactive information sessions for more than 40 professional certificate programs. Continuing Education staff, instructors and graduates discussed learning opportunities and career options with prospective students. KSU’s Career Services and Georgia Department of Labor representatives were also on-site providing attendees with tips, resources, and best practices for employment.
For Jacinta Martinez, a stay-at-home mother of two, the Open House was just what she needed to get a head start on her career. Martinez said she felt compelled to attend the event.
“I had been waiting to do something for myself, and I am here,” Martinez said. “I had not received anything from schools in three or five years, and I received the Open House flier in the mail. I took this as a sign, and I am grateful for the opportunity and the new journey.”
Martinez enrolled in the Real Estate Pre-license online certificate program. “I took this as a leap of faith,” Martinez said. “Sometimes, you don’t have to have all the answers. The time is now.”
Cleo Brown came to the Open House with the goal of returning the workforce. Her son, having completed two certificate programs at the college, encouraged her to attend.
“I am interested in the Medical Billing and Coding program,” Brown said. “I am trying to find my niche by doing Continuing Education. It’s been something that I have been looking at for a while.”
Local Veteran Employment Representative Eugene Mincey, who works at the Georgia Department of Labor, described the Open House as the place where “people can get the all the resources available to them.” He
has been a part of the event for two consecutive years.
“I like sharing information at Open House on how people can get to a better place,” Mincey said. “It is what most people desire, and it takes effort. [At] the Department of Labor you can come in and obtain resources if you are seeking employment, advancing your career or want to do better in the job market. People think the Department of Labor is only for those who are unemployed, but it is also for those willing to enhance their career.”
Professional programs offered at the College of Continuing and Professional Education range from Human Resources Management and EKG Technician to Web Design & Development, and Culinary Apprenticeship. New programs include Professional Investigator, Administrative Office Management, Ethical Hacker and Security Management Professional. Many certificate programs are available for Military Education Benefits, payments plans and WIOA funding.
For more information, visit ccpe.kennesaw.edu, call 470-578-6765 or email ccpe@kennesaw.edu.
