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Have a great TCC Day!

Sincerely,

TCC CMVE Staff

TCC is pleased to announce that students now have access to Perfect
Interview™. This website is provided for the exclusive use of the students, faculty, and staff of Tidewater Community College. 

Perfect Interview™ is an innovative learning tool that can be used to enhance job interviewing skills, create resumes, and search for jobs. Perfect Interview™ creates a compelling and realistic "simulated interview" experience where users are asked challenging questions and must respond, just as they would in a real job interview. 

To access the site, please visit http://www.perfectinterview.com/tcc 

Once you have access the link above, you will see instructions for creating a user account.  Upon creating an account, an email will be mailed with the user ID and password.  You can then use that ID and password to log on to Perfect Interview Online from any location. 

ROTC at TCC

Congratulations to two recent TCC/CMVE Grads, Mark Penaranda and Mari Cradit!

We interviewed two recent TCC CMVE military students about their time in the military and at TCC and what they have planned for their future. These two graduates show that it doesn't matter where you're at in life - your education is important enough to make time for and the CMVE can help!

What is your military background?

Mark: I was an Operations Specialist in the United States Navy, who served aboard the USS McFaul DDG-74 from 2006-2011.

Mari: I joined the Navy in 1993 as an undesignated Seaman.  I struck Lithographer in 1995.  I got off Active duty in 1999 and joined the Reserves as a Builder in 2001.  I am currently a BU1 in the Navy Reserve. 

When did you start at TCC?

Mark: I started taking classes in the summer 2011 semester soon after I left the military.

Mari: I started TCC in 2002, when I was mobilized for Homeland Security (after 9-11).  I took one class at a time.  I was also pregnant at the time.  After I had my daughter, I did not attend school for a few years.   

What is the degree or program you are graduating with?

Mark: I graduated with an Associate of Science degree. 

Mari: Associates of Applied Science: Civil Engineering Technology

What were the difficulties of being in school and being prior military?

Mark: Initially my fears consisted of what the transition would be like as I left the Navy and began college. I also got married between the summer '11 and fall '11 semester, so there were many new responsibilities and challenges to grow in as well as attend school. I had to learn how to study and work hard at achieving high grades and while ensuring my family was taken care of.

Mari: When I first started school, I was pregnant and was working at Sewell's Point Precinct as a mobilized Reservist.  I could only take one class at a time.  After having my daughter, I did not have time for school and stopped attending for several years.  When I started school again, I did not get far before I got mobilized again and sent to Iraq.  Upon returning from Iraq, I switched my curriculum from Architecture to CET, and pretty much had to start all over.  Once I got rolling with my classes, I had to leave again for 4 months and I missed a whole semester!  Being in the military, we have to plan our Annual Training around our life and school schedule.  The Navy is not always understanding of that and sometimes what the Navy wants us to do wins out over what we want to do.

In what ways did TCC or CMVE help you through these difficulties?

Mark: When I began taking classes I saw an adviser, Mr. Terry Eusebio who helped me plan out my courses that I needed to accomplish my degree and career goals. Mr. Michael Smith and Mr. Resty Orduna in the Veterans Affair office helped me ensure my classes would be taken care of by the Veterans Affair. It was a really smooth and painless process that I experienced, thus allowing me to succeed in my classes without worrying if I was taking the right classes. 

Mari: Many of my professors were understanding of the fact that I may have to leave on orders for a few weeks during the semester.  They were always willing to work with me and my military schedule.

What advice do you have for other military students looking to get their degree from TCC?

Mark: I highly recommend military students attend TCC either on active duty or as a veteran. Personally my advice would be to make sure you have a plan. Take classes with a goal in mind and treat your new occupation as a student seriously like you would a job where you want to excel.

Mari: Take it one semester at a time, and don't give up!  It is easy to let life get in the way of your education.  If you have a situation arise, talk to your professors.  They may be willing to cut you some slack or help you out.  Communication is key.

What does the future hold for you?

Mark: The future is for me to pursue my dream of becoming a physician assistant and specialize in orthopedic surgery. I was accepted to The College of William & Mary and the University of Virginia. I decided to attend the University of Virginia and finish my last two years of my undergraduate degree majoring biology. I will then hopefully attend Eastern Virginia Medical School to complete my Master's degree in Physician Assistant studies.

Mari: I am transferring to ODU.  The CMVE has been a great place to work and I have made some great friends there.  I have another deployment coming up and that will put my education on hold (again!).  As far as job prospects, I am still searching.  Hopefully having my Associates will make a big difference!

Spotlight on . . . Matt Keane, Work Study Student

Where are you from?

I am originally from Woodstock, Illinois, a small town about an hour north of Chicago.

When did you join the Navy and what influenced you to join the armed services?  I joined the Navy in 1999 and served until 2005. My main purpose to join was to do something with my life. The cost of college was not something my parents could absorb at the time; therefore I knew at the least I would be able to receive the GI Bill in exchange for my time in service. 

What did you do in the Navy?  I was a photographers mate, now called a Mass Communication Specialist. Our job was to literally document the daily history of the Navy. I loved my job and still pursue photography as a passion today.

What influenced your decision to leave the Navy and return to school?
Unfortunately I was medically discharged. At the time I didn't know what to expect because I dedicated that past 6 years to the Navy. Ultimately, I knew that I needed to use my GI Bill and earn a degree if I wanted to find success outside of my military career. 

Why did you choose TCC for your college education?
I have settled and established my life in Norfolk, Va. TCC is the closest college that offered the program that I wanted to focus on. Furthermore, the ability to have classes offered at a variety of times versus a standard 4 year institution allowed me to balance my work, home and school schedule together.

What program are you pursuing at TCC?  I am pursuing the A.S.S in Interior Design. I will also be certified in Green Design and Kitchen and Bath when I graduate. 

How did you get into the work study program with TCC?
My A School roommate and close friend Jason whom I was also stationed with for 3 years on the George Washington, CVN-73 told me about the work study program. I was able to schedule an interview and meet with Mrs. Jacobs and she hired me!

What is your ultimate goal with your education?
As a career switcher I have a lot of passion and determination for my future. I want to use the principles of design to impact people's way of living by addressing the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual aspects of their space. I truly believe that we are a product of our environment, therefore if you want to manifest your destiny you need to create a space that will allow it to develop. I am currently using this business model as a template for creating my own consulting firm. Discovering a platform that would allow me to teach these ideas to many people would be ideal.

Funding a College Education - Upcoming Workshops