Midland College’s Bachelor of Applied Technology in Organizational Management educates and inspires graduates to advance their profession March 27, 2019

As the Permian Basin boom keeps gaining steam and college costs rise even higher, more students are turning to Midland College’s (MC) Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) degree in Organizational Management. The program is designed to broaden career opportunities for students and better their chances for promotion to supervisory positions within the workplace. 

Graduate Jennifer Conner is an account manager at InSource Insurance Group, LLC. To succeed in her career she knew she needed a bachelor’s, her insurance license and five years working experience.

“I decided to get my bachelor’s [degree] because I knew not having a degree would hold back my career,” Conner said. “An advisor at MC told me about the Bachelor of Applied Technology degree in Organizational Management, and the program sounded perfect for me. At the time my son was two years old, and I did not want to travel far for class. By the time he was four years old I was part of the first graduating class to get a bachelor’s degree from MC. Now I have my insurance license with over 15 years of work experience.”

Since graduation each alumni has taken on different, challenging jobs.

“We have all split into our own careers,” Conner said.  “It has been fun to keep in touch and watch us divide and conquer. We are all using what we learned at MC to improve functions in the workplace and community. The organizational management program has given us the critical resources necessary to figure out solutions that go beyond the textbook.”

Graduate Troy Ward has been a respiratory therapist since 1992. He works at Midland Health as the director of cardio pulmonary neurology. A bachelor’s degree was not a requirement for his position at the time, but it was a personal goal. He encourages others to take advantage of MC’s program.     

“The Bachelor’s of Applied Technology in Organizational Management is an opportunity for people who are seeking career advancement,” Ward said.

“If you want broad management experience, this program is for you. It has helped me succeed, and with determination it will help you succeed.”

When choosing a program, Ward wanted to stay local. He also has a family to support, so he wanted to save money.

“One of the biggest advantages to MC’s Bachelor of Applied Technology degree in Organizational Management is cost,” Ward said. “I cannot emphasize that fact enough. If you go to MC, your tuition rates are a fraction of larger universities.”

“Give MC a shot; save yourself some money,” Conner said. “I have two associate degrees and a bachelor’s degree, and I have zero educational debt. Not many people can say the same. The moment I graduated from MC I had nothing to pay back.”  

MC responds to the needs of the community and its workforce. Courses in the BAT degree offer a diverse curriculum that provides students with critical thinking skills for many different careers. Ward still remembers assignments about managing airlines that forced him to think outside of the box.

"The courses in the program challenged me,” said Ward.  “The program helped me think more strategically and futuristically. There are so many business objectives I studied that translate across disciplines. The good strategic thinking I learned is needed in every field.”

For more information, visit midland.edu/bat

Photo from left to right: Troy Ward and Jennifer Conner.