Spring 2017
FVTC’s Office Assistant program opened a pathway to a better future for Jalene Van Epps.
Jalene Van Epps credits Fox Valley Technical College with putting her on the right career path. “After high school I was taking care of my son and working a variety of dead-end jobs,” recalls the 25-year-old Waupaca native. “I really wanted a better future for myself and my son.”
Determined to make a change, Van Epps met with a counselor at FVTC to discover what career field would best fit her interests. “I never would have considered an office position but it’s worked out great,” she says. “I enjoy handling details and have developed organizational and scheduling skills that are valued by many organizations.”
Van Epps began with the Office Assistant technical diploma program and is now pursuing her Administrative Professional associate degree. “Office administration is a growing career field and offers you a lot of options,” she says. “You can work for an individual in a large company or take on a broader role in a smaller organization. The average annual salary is close to $40,000 as well after being in the field for a few years.”
Van Epps is looking forward to her internship with BizSquad, a group of FVTC business students who engage in projects each semester for area companies. “If I’d known how doable and fun school was, I would have started sooner at the Tech,” she says. “I recommend Fox Valley Tech to friends all the time.”
Van Epps’ son thinks it’s fun to have a mother who also does homework. “I’ll soon have what I need to build a great future thanks to Fox Valley Tech,” she says.
