For media information, contact:
Dana Urrutia, 678-495-3638
durrutia@gwinnetttech.edu

June 17, 2004

Gwinnett Technical College Graduates Prepare to Put Education to Work

Nearly 350 students participated in the Gwinnett Technical College graduation ceremony held Tuesday, June 15, at the Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center in Duluth.

Jim McGean, President, Verizon Wireless, Georgia/Alabama Region, was the keynote speaker. McGean told the graduates that with “the job market in an upswing now is a good time to start your future.” He also said that change is what’s driving business right now. “And the most important part of that change is that it’s getting faster.”

McGean also provided his “three-step program to managing life and career.” His steps included choosing a job and profession you love, doing your best every single day and balancing your life by both working hard at your job and doing things you enjoy away from your job.

Andrea Ciarrochi, Gwinnett Tech’s 2004 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner and representative in the state GOAL contest, also addressed the audience, encouraging graduates to follow their dreams.

“Our curriculum is geared to the specific needs of local employers which ensures a real-world education for real-world jobs for these graduates,” says Gwinnett Technical College President Sharon Rigsby. “No matter where these graduates are in their careers – either just starting or starting over – they are now open to a new realm of opportunities that their technical education has given them.”

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About Gwinnett Tech
Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgia's largest technical colleges, is committed to delivering relevant knowledge to meet the workforce training needs of its community. The college offers more than 50 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs and hundreds of seminars, workshops and courses providing specialized training. GTC is Gwinnett County's largest provider of corporate training and now serves residents and businesses in north Fulton County. Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097,404-679-4500, www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of Gwinnett Technical College. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu.

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.