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Eric Badger came to Lincoln Trail College late in life. He found himself out of a job after the company he was working for was bought out by another company. He turned to Maureen Hays and the CEFS organization to begin a new career and enrolled in classes at LTC in September of 2019.
“It was a lot of work at the beginning,” says Badger. “There was a lot of paperwork that I had to fill out, but it went quickly thanks to the help of Maureen.”
Badger says part of that work was researching different degrees and career options. In addition to that, Badger had to call companies in the area to find out about things like career availabilities and pay scale. “There’s a lot of legwork that has to be done. You really have to earn it.”
Ultimately, he chose LTC’s Industrial Management program because he likes management and is familiar with working in that setting. Before he could get started, he needed to get final approval. “I was on pins and needles and was super excited when I got approved.” At that point, he met with Erin Volk and started picking out classes.
The CEFS Economic Opportunity Corporation manages the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Dislocated Worker Program. It helps dislocated workers with education so that they can relaunch their careers. Badger says that the program has paid for his classes, books, supplies, and even mileage. He says he’s also qualified for financial aid and he’s been able to use that money to help take care of rent and utilities and it has allowed him to not have to work while attending classes.
“This has been fantastic, and I’ve loved it. Sure, there’s been a few times when I’ve wanted to pull out my hair, but Maureen has always been there to help me along the way. You couldn’t ask for a better person because she goes above and beyond and is there to help you in every way she can.”
Badger says when he initially started taking classes it was a little intimidating because he was with kids that were half of his age. “I have three kids that are older than the kids I’m going to classes with, but I’ve learned to deal with it and I’ve loved every minute of it at LTC.”
He says one of his favorite programs at LTC has been welding. He says he’s been welding since he was 18-years-old, but it was more “garage” welding. He says Reno Bemont has taken what he already knew and showed him so much more. In addition to his degree in Industrial Management, Badger is on track to receive a welding certificate, which he considers a bonus.
Badger says there are a couple of things that are driving him as he pursues his degree, which he’s on pace to finish in December. “I’ve worked with my back my whole life. I talked with my dad before he passed away and he was proud that I was going to work with my mind and not my back. It is bittersweet that he’s gone and won’t get to see me receive my diploma, but he would have been very proud.”
One of the things that excites Badger is how this is changing his life. “I’m looking to double how much money I was making and that’s opening so many doors in my life. I’ve always rented and for the first time in my life, I’m going to be a homeowner in another year or two. It’s fun watching my 11-year-old son get excited about that.”
Moreover, Badger is proud of what he’s been able to accomplish at LTC. “I can be really hard on myself, and I strive to be the best I can be. My first semester I got a 3.36 GPA and I was disappointed I didn’t get a 3.5. Now I’ve pushed myself to get a 3.56 and then a 4.0.”
Badger admits that it is hard work, but he’d encourage anyone to put forth the effort to go through the program if they find themselves in a similar spot that he was in. “There are so many people that want to help you. Maureen has been amazing through this and there are so many people at the college that want to see you succeed. All of my instructors seem to really like me and have taken me under their wing. I’ve even had one of my online instructors email me out of the blue to ask about my other classes. It was really neat that he did that."
