Northern Essex Community College (NECC) and Opportunity Works, an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with disabilities, have been neighbors in Haverhill for the past four years.  In that time, partnerships between the two nonprofits have grown.

On March 22, Michael McCarthy, NECC vice president of administration and finance, and Mary Murphy, NECC manager of administrative services and analysis, were named the 2019 Advocates of the Year at Opportunity Work’s Annual Recognition Gala at the Atkinson Country Club.

The two received the award based on their involvement in Project SEARCH, a business-led internship program that prepares people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to secure integrated, competitive employment. Over the course of nine months (a school year), participants intern for three 12-week periods with three different departments.  In addition to the work experience, they begin and end each day with work readiness classes covering topics like job interviews, resume writing, teamwork, professionalism, and technology in the workplace.

Since Northern Essex became involved in the program five years ago, the number of college departments with Project SEARCH interns has grown from 10 to over 30.

Internships could include working for the college food service, facilities, administration offices or more.  Most notably, McCarthy and Murphy were able to connect an intern from the program with the Essex County Sheriff Department’s Academy on campus, where the intern built life-long relationships with the Commandant and cadets, and was featured in a story in the Eagle Tribune.

“The College loves having these interns, and this program on campus,” says McCarthy.  “This program does remarkable work for those they serve, their families and our campus community.

McCarthy and Murphy administer the program located on the Haverhill Campus.  For more information, contact Murphy at mmurphy1@necc.mass.edu or 978 556-3918.

Northern Essex Community College will hold its Fifth Annual Networking Night on Thursday, May 16, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Hartleb Technology Center on the Haverhill campus, 100 Elliott St.

Registration is required. The registration form can be completed online.

The keynote speaker will be Miss Massachusetts Gabriela Taveras of Lawrence. Come hear her discuss discuss building a professional brand, how to stand out in the job market, and advice on networking.

A former corporate recruiter, Tavares is a child of immigrants. She has overcome many adversities including surviving assault, growing up in poverty, losing a friend to gang violence, and having an incarcerated parent. She turned scars into stars and became the first black titleholder. She placed top five in the Miss America pageant. Now she uses her platform to inspire and encourage others.

Local employers as well as all Northern Essex students and alumni are invited to attend this free networking event. NECC’s Career Center together with NECC’s Alumni Relations are hosting the event.

This networking event gives students and alumni the opportunity to network with businesses for career advice, mentoring, and potential internships and job opportunities.

For employers, it is the opportunity to help students gain confidence in their networking and career-related skills. It is also a great venue for employers to connect with potential employees and interns.

Light refreshments will be served. A professional photographer will be available to take free professional headshots for LinkedIn profiles.

The dress code is business casual. This is a business card only event. Resumes are not required.

NECC students and graduates will receive a gift for attending and a starter pack of business cards to help improve their networking skills.

NECC partners with all area Chambers of Commerce, including Amesbury, Newburyport, Haverhill, and Merrimack Valley. The corporate sponsor is once again Dietz and Lynch Capital.

There will be representatives from more than 80 companies from a variety of industries.

For more information, or sign language interpreting or access request (including food-related allergies), please contact Deb LaValley at 978-556-3875 or dlavalley@necc.mass.edu or Ashley Moore at 978-556-3946 or amoore@necc.mass.edu.

Essex Chamber Music Players (ECMP) will present its second concert of the 2018-2019 season on Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m. in the Hartleb Technology Center on the Haverhill campus of Northern Essex Community College, 100 Elliott St.

The program features the classic work of Dvořák’s “Piano Trio No. 4 in e minor, Op. 90 (The Dumky),” and includes Haydn’s “London Trio No 1 in C Major,” and Martinů’s “Madrigal Sonata”.

Performers include pianist Constantine Finehouse, violinist Daniel Kurganov, cellist Ben Swartz, and flutist Michael Finegold, artistic director and founder of ECMP.

NECC Music Professor Emeritus and Director Finegold says, “Trios are instrument combinations of three players. In the Classical period however, a trio was also a part of a musical form – the Minuet and Trio. It can be played by any number of instruments.”

Tickets are $15 for general admission. NECC students are free with an NECC ID, and children 9 to 16 are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance at mktix.com/ecmp.

The Essex Chamber Music Players is in residence at Northern Essex.

For additional information, go to www.ecmp.org or e-mail ecmp314@comcast.net

Kristen Quinn

Accounting

Faculty/Department Chair

Think of a business…any business. That business needs an accountant. That nonprofit organization? Sports Team? Furniture designer? Yup, they all need accountants and always will, says accounting Professor Kristen Quinn.

Whether it is fashion, finance, fitness, forensics, or pharmaceuticals, she says accounting has a role.

“Accounting is the language of business,” she says.

And it is a language Quinn speaks fluently and shares with her students. She teaches a number of accounting courses from beginner to advanced. Now as department chair, in addition to teaching, she works on course development to strengthen and grow the program.

“When you have an accounting degree,” she says, “You have a specific set of skills that employers love.”

Quinn is living proof that even academia needs accountants, both in the classroom as well as the business office. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Assumption College and a master’s in accountancy from Suffolk University, Professor Quinn worked as a public accountant for several years before she began teaching at NECC 10 years ago.

Accounting is currently a high demand field. That is good news, Quinn says, noting that the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations, with a median salary of more than $69,000. NECC grads can transfer to a four-year program or enter the work force as a bookkeeper, accounting clerk, or auditing clerk.

Whatever their path, accounting students can expect an associate degree with holistic applications.

“I like that what I am teaching the students can apply to their everyday lives as well as the business world,” she says. “I like working with the students and seeing them succeed here as well as once they have moved on to either four-year institutions or a professional career.”

She encourages her students to take advantage of the tutors in the Center for Business & Accounting as well as the advisors who can help with resume writing and job interviewing skills.”

Accounting students receive a quality education at NECC, she says. Someone interested in an accessible, affordable, accounting education in small classes that builds a strong foundation need not look any further than Northern Essex.

Professor Quinn keeps her students engaged using group assignments as well as an interactive homework manager.

While accountants must enjoy working with numbers, there are other skills needed too, she says.

“In order to succeed in the accounting field an individual must possess three key qualities,” she says.” The individual must be professional, hardworking, and a good communicator.”

Does studying accounting interest you? Would you like to explore this field? Contact Quinn at kquinn@necc.mass.edu or visit the accounting program page.

 

 

 

Ever since middle school, Tyler Evans knew he wanted to work with computers. So it’s no surprise that in May, he graduates with not one, but two computer science degrees from Northern Essex Community College.

What is even less of a surprise is that along the way the West Newbury resident has enthusiastically shared his knowledge with other computer fans including classmates struggling with comprehension and seniors citizens struggling with cybersecurity. On Friday, May 3, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will recognize Evans for his extraordinary accomplishments and contributions at a ceremony at the State House.

Evans has been selected as one of the “29 Who Shine”, an honor which is given to a top graduate from each of the state’s community colleges and public colleges and universities.  Also recognized at the ceremony will be his mentor Adrianna Holden-Gouveia, an NECC computer information science faculty member.

The 2016 Pentucket High School graduate enrolled in his first NECC course as a junior through the Early College Program. By then, he had already revived the Pentucket High School Computer Club.

“I flourished once I was in a college setting,” he said. “I was in a classroom with like- minded adults being taught by professors who cared so much about what we were doing in class.”

In addition to working on his degrees, Evans also worked, first as a supplemental instructor and then a computer science tutor. He was just a high school student when a professor recognized his acumen and recommended him for the computer science tutoring role. Evans also volunteered his time to present to Northern Essex’s College of Older Learners (CoOL) on the basics of computer security and answered their technical questions.

His enthusiasm for computers continued to spill out into the world during an internship last summer. While working for three months in the support management center in the cyber security office of the Food & Drug Administration, he designed a monitoring tool app that is still used today.

Following graduation, the 21-year-old will take his computer science transfer degree and information technology degree to UMass Lowell where he will enroll in a computer & information sciences bachelor’s degree.

Eventually Evans hopes to return to the FDA as either a cybersecurity specialist or software designer.

In May 2011, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education launched “29 Who Shine,” a program to recognize outstanding students representing each of the 29 public campuses. The honorees, chosen because of their academic achievements and record of student leadership and community service, stand poised to contribute greatly to the civic life and economic well-being of the state.

Northern Essex faculty and staff nominate students for this honor and President Lane Glenn chooses a candidate. Evans was nominated for the honor by computer & information science faculty Adrianna Gouviea-Holden, Jason Termini, Kristen Sparrow, and Michael Penta, English Professor Emeritus George Bailey, and Kristen Sparrow and CoOL’s Bonnie Pearlman.

“Every Professor I’ve had at NECC has left a profound impact on my development as a student and professional,” said Evans. “Among them, Adrianna always went the extra mile to sate my limitless curiosity, and ensure I was the best student I could be. I’m incredibly grateful for all she has done.”

Northern Essex offers associate degrees/certificates in computer science transfer, information technology, networking and security, technology and business, computer networking, computer security, and wed page design and development.

The programs prepare students for career in computer information science or for transfer into a four-year program.

For additional information on the Northern Essex CIS programs contact Jason Termini, CIS program coordinator, at jtermini@necc.mass.edu