Rebecca Garland of Chickasha came to Canadian Valley Technology Center knowing she needed to find a new career path. In the past she had jumped from part-time job to part-time job, as well as sometimes being a stay-at-home mom, without any real career objectives in mind.

She realized she needed to do more, so after receiving her GED in 2006 she began looking into how to gain a more successful career.

Garland had always been interested in law, so she decided to enroll in CV Tech’s Business Office Technology class in August 2008. In just one year, she completed the program and found a full-time position as a legal assistant at local law office Frailey, Chaffin, Cordell, Perryman, Sterkel, McCalla & Brown LLP.

* As a legal assistant for Dick McCalla, one of the partners at the firm, Garland works on a variety of cases and assists with litigation, probates and forms. She also has become a notary public.

“I love working for Mr. McCalla and the firm,” Garland said. “There is room for advancement here, and thanks to CV Tech preparing me so well, I know I will succeed in whatever path I choose.”

Garland said she will probably further her education later on. But for now, “I’m happy where I am and enjoy my job.”

* Garland chose CV Tech not only because it was close and convenient, but she loved the environment and knew how much the school could help her. She also values what Link taught her.

Garland said she waited until her kids were a little older before starting this endeavor.

“My family has been very supportive of me going back to school,” Garland said. “I just wanted to do something that my kids could be proud of me.”

* Garland is originally from Oklahoma City, and now resides in Chickasha with her husband Eric of 14 years; and three boys, Rocky, 13; Steven, 11; and Eric Jr., 10.











A previous Delta Faucet employee, Mary (Fran) Quetone found herself needing to change career paths due to health reasons.

She left Delta a year before it closed and began to look for a new profession. She always liked computers, so she decided to enroll at CV Tech and start the Business Office Technology course in January 2008. She had attended CV Tech before in the 1990s and knew the school would give her the well-rounded training she needed to get into the business field.

* In October 2008, Quetone secured a position at First National Bank as a part-time clerk. In April 2009, she completed her CV Tech program a month early and went to work full-time at the bank as a customer service representative in its call center. There she answers calls coming from clients from eight of FNB’s branches around this area including Duncan, Purcell, Lawton, and of course Chickasha. Fran also works on basic account transactions and other general business actions as needed.

“I appreciate the education CV Tech provided me,” Quetone said. “CV Tech prepared me to work in the field I always have wanted to. The training you receive at CV Tech is pertinent to the evolving changes in this industry.”

* Quetone said she plans to stay at FNB and continue training through its “Digital University.” She said FNB provides its workers specialized training for their jobs, plus the training helps prepare employees for future positions.

* Fran encourages anyone who wants to try something new or needs a change in their career to consider CV Tech. “I’m proof that you’re never too old to learn.”

* Fran is originally from Chickasha and has two grown children and five grandchildren.













Also a former Delta employee, Patti Hindi entered the BOT program after being laid off from her job there. She had worked in production at the plant for the previous seven years, before enrolling at Canadian Valley Technology Center in January 2007.

“I decided to come to Canadian Valley because I figured out that after checking into my options,” Hindi said. “CV Tech offered a lot of the same type of classes that other tech centers and community colleges offered. I live in Chickasha, and at the time gas prices were high, so it was an easy decision for me.”

* While a student in the program, Hindi was an active member of the Business Professionals of America, serving as Parliamentarian. She also competed at District and State level contests. She received college credit hours through the cooperative alliance CV Tech has with Redlands Community College.

* Hindi attended Canadian Valley full-time until she completed the program in October 2008. She then went to work briefly with the Washita Valley Shopper before landing her current job at the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

“I was really excited to get this job, and I am enjoying it so far,” Patti said. “They offer great benefits, and since I am a veteran, my military time goes towards my retirement.”

* Hindi is secretary for the Inpatient Mental Health Unit at the VA Medical Center.

“I am definitely utilizing the skills in my current job I learned while I was a student at Canadian Valley,” Hindi said. “I answer phones, take messages, file and input admissions and discharges, among other things.”

* Hindi participated in CV Tech’s graduation ceremony in May, and was awarded an Outstanding Achievement award for her program.

“I am really glad that I chose to attend Canadian Valley, because I feel like I would not have the skills or the career I have now,” she said. “I am very happy things turned out the way they did.”