Former Student Returns to Tulsa Tech
News From Tulsa Tech By DR. STEVE TIGER
Superintendent
COMPUTER TRAINING: Tulsa Tech’s Senior Office Support Specialist for Instructional Services Kneisha Jones is a former student in Tulsa Tech’s Computer Technology program. Jones credits her courses at Tulsa Tech for putting her on her current career path.
Courtesy Tulsa Tech
Editor’s Note: This article originally ran in Greater Tulsa Reporter’s September 2016 newspapers but has been updated to reflect the recent accomplishments of Tulsa Tech alumna Kneisha Jones.
For over 50 years, the state’s oldest and largest CareerTech institution has provided quality technical education to thousands of high school and adult students. Each day, Tulsa Tech helps students make their own path and begin their individual journey toward a successful career.
One student, Kneisha Jones, began her journey back in the mid-nineties.
“I attended Tulsa Tech my junior year of high school,” Jones says. “I still remember how excited I was when I found out that I had been accepted into the Computer Technology program.”
From the start, this 1996 graduate of Tulsa Memorial High School noticed a difference between the program and her regular high school classes.
“Tech was different than my high school classes; it made me feel independent,” she says. “We were treated like adults, and our classroom was set up like a real office environment. I really looked forward to jumping on the bus and coming to my class each day.”
By today’s standards, the curriculum for the program may seem dated. However, as Jones is quick to say, many of the skills she learned were invaluable.
“We learned , if anyone remembers that,” Jones chuckles. “We were also taught core office skills, like typing and ten-key. We had to achieve so many words-per-minute, and if you didn’t make it, then you kept trying until you did. Not only did I learn how to type fast and accurately, but many of the skills I learned in that program still serve me well today.”
Before she began her current career in office support, this wife and mother of two had worked as a pharmacy technician for Saint Francis Health Center and a substitute teacher for Tulsa Public Schools, and she still helps manage a family-owned barber shop.
“Although I’ve had the privilege of working in several different careers, I find office work the most rewarding,” says Jones. “I’m definitely a numbers person, and I really enjoy getting to work with information and numbers each day.”
Jones recently received her baccalaureate in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern State University, graduating Magna cum laude, and currently serves as the Senior Office Support Specialist for the Instructional Services Department at Tulsa Tech.
“My duties include supporting our instructional coordinators, who work with our instructors and help develop, modify and keep our curriculum up to date,” Jones says. “The various applications I use each day include Microsoft Word, Excel, a scheduling software, and an application we use to process purchase orders and travel reimbursements.”
Although her skills might be a little rusty, Jones still gives credit to her former instructor, Nancy O’Hara, for all of the business knowledge she shared with each of her students, important skills that weren’t necessarily listed in the program curriculum.
“I am truly grateful when I think back to how much I was able to learn from Mrs. O’Hara,” Jones says. “Everything from office skills to how to interview for a job, how to look a person in the eye, and use a firm handshake. These are all skills that I learned at Tulsa Tech.”
If you’re currently looking for exciting classes for high school and adult students, quality customized corporate training, or wish to start a new career, Tulsa Tech invites you to visit today. For more information, please call 918-828-5000, or visit us online at tulsatech.edu.
Updated 04-24-2017
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