In a first for Maverick Voices, Patrick converses with Rachel Reed, an academic and career advisor working primarily with students from the School of English and Humanities at MTC. Rachel shares the unconventional path that led to her becoming an advisor, including her college experiences majoring in Wildlife Biology at Missouri State University as well as the challenges of moving on from her dream job as a zookeeper. She discusses her struggles with anxiety and overcoming the fear of failure, and she explains how her life experiences help her encourage students to push through and learn from their own challenges. Rachel and Patrick highlight the importance of work-life balance and strategies to develop this work-life balance, which allows Rachel to be fully present, available, and engaged for the students at MTC as she helps them choose their academic and career paths.

In this episode of the Maverick Voices podcast, Patrick Bennett interviews Jasmine, a nursing student at MTC who decided to come back to school after a career in Public Health. Jasmine shares the insights from her personal life and career that encouraged her to attend MTC as a starting point for her Masters in Nursing, including her family’s history with Type 2 Diabetes and a shifting job market. Patrick and Jasmine discuss the differences between a two-year and four-year school experience and the support that Midlands Tech provides to students of all ages, experiences, and college readiness. Jasmine gives advice and provides inspiration for succeeding at MTC amidst the expected and unexpected challenges of college and life.

This episode, Patrick meets with Emilee, a Biology major who is completing her degree exclusively through online and virtual classes. Emilee gives her advice for time management and staying motivated when completing a degree online. She discusses her choice to attend Midlands Tech instead of a four-year school on her path to becoming a Veterinarian and highlights the benefits of attending Midlands Tech, including its affordability, the unexpected opportunities for involvement, and the ability to get anywhere from here.

The second episode of the Maverick Voices podcast brings a conversation between Patrick Bennett and Noemi, a current MTC Pre-Nursing student who moved from the Philippines to the U.S. three years ago. Noemi describes some of the differences between being a teacher in the Philippines and a student in the U.S. in addition to balancing the challenges of being a student, a wife, and a mother. Noemi shares the programs, clubs, resources, and professors at MTC that have helped her feel supported and included within the MTC community.

In this episode, Patrick engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Will, a dynamic student enrolled in the esteemed School of Social and Behavioral Science. Will candidly shares his unconventional journey to Midlands Technical College, underscoring the significance of embracing unique paths to educational pursuits. Through their g dialogue, both Will and Patrick underscore the pivotal role of community engagement and the power of stepping beyond one's comfort zone. They eloquently emphasize the profound impact of forging genuine connections with peers and professors, illustrating how such interactions foster not only academic growth but also personal development.