Jackson Community College
Alumni Relations Alumni ProfilesScott Sessions
Laid off Hillsdale worker finds new job in medical fieldAfter working 26 years for the same plant, Scott Sessions of Hillsdale thought his job was secure. He was wrong. Sessions worked for Fasco DC Motors in the Hillsdale area. On June 30, 2003, he learned the shop was going to close and move to Mexico. With financial assistance for workers who lose their jobs due to a plant move through the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA), Sessions signed up for fall classes at Jackson Community College, starting class before the shop actually closed. He was finally let go from Fasco in November. About 60 workers lost their jobs. “My first thought was that I needed to find a new job and get re-trained,” Sessions recalls. “I wanted to look for something that wouldn’t leave the country so I wouldn’t lose my job again.” Sessions enrolled in the College’s medical assistant program. With increasing utilization of medical office assistants in the rapidly growing healthcare industries, employment growth will climb for the occupation. “The medical field is something that’s going to be around for a while,” he said. He completed the medical assistant program in 2005. “I thought it was great; with everything I’ve learned it’s really fascinating.” JCC’s program helped him into a new career as purchasing manager for the Hillsdale Community Health Center. He encourages other workers who find themselves unexpectedly out of work to take advantage of the educational benefits that may be available, and to find something they enjoy. “Look for something that might interest you, and something that is going to stay in the country. It is going to take a lot of work, but don’t give up,” Sessions said. |