Molina Llanas shares how Leadership at Mid-America helped launch his career

‘The ambassador program gave me the confidence to speak professionally and be comfortable in an interview setting,’ Jose said.

When Jose Molina Llanas, Industrial Automation student from Newcastle High School, joined the Student Ambassador program at Mid-America Technology Center, he never imagined the experience would play such a major role in helping him land a job immediately after an interview.

Now employed at ALK OKC Allergy Supplies, Inc., Jose says the confidence and professional skills he gained through the ambassador program helped prepare him for one of the most important moments of his career so far.

Jose is taught by Mr. Jonathan Jacks. Mid-America counselor Nicole Barlow leads the Student Ambassador program of which Jose is a part. It gives students opportunities to grow beyond the classroom. Ambassadors represent the school at events, speak with prospective students, community members, and even legislators.

For Jose, those experiences made all the difference.

“The ambassador program gave me the confidence to speak professionally and be comfortable in an interview setting,” Jose shared. “I felt prepared walking into the interview.”

That preparation paid off in a big way. After interviewing at ALK OKC Allergy Supplies, Inc., Jose was offered the job on the spot.

Programs like Student Ambassadors are designed to help students build skills employers are actively looking for — confidence, communication, leadership, dependability, and professionalism. While technical training prepares students for careers, leadership experiences like these help students stand out when opportunities arise.

Nicole Barlow says seeing students like Jose succeed is exactly why the program exists.

“The growth we see in students through the ambassador program is incredible,” Barlow said. “They learn how to communicate, lead, and carry themselves professionally. Those are skills that stay with them long after graduation.”

Barlow said Jose’s story is a powerful reminder that career success is about more than technical ability alone. She said the experiences students gain at Mid-America Technology Center help prepare them for real-world opportunities and give them the confidence to pursue them.

Jose walked into an interview prepared and confident — and walked out employed.

MATC Marketing Coordinator Ariel Anglin said, “At Mid-America Technology Center, we are making more than grades.

“We are building confident, professional, and careerready students employers are excited to hire.”