Branch Area Careers Center

11/03/2025

Alexa Norman is a senior at Reading High School (RHS) and also attends the Business Management, Marketing, and Technology program at the Branch Area Careers Center (BACC). Her On-the-Job (OJT) Training placement is at Century Bank, where she works as a frontline teller under the direction of Christina Randall. Her job duties include handling customer deposits, withdrawals, cash advances, loan payments, and other general banking transactions. Her favorite part of her placement is having the opportunity to create bonds with the bank’s customers.

At the BACC, Alexa is a member of the student organization Business Professionals of America (BPA).

At RHS, she is involved in marching band, concert band, choir, varsity club, pep band, sideline cheer, and competitive cheer.

Christina says, “Alexa has really grown into her position. There are a multitude of transactions that tellers need to be able to handle, and I appreciate that she is willing to learn. Alexa is very polite, and the customers like her. She has come a long way in the time she has been with us.”

Alexa is the daughter of Amanda Gambill and Eric Norman.

10/23/2025

Luke Dow is a senior at Bronson High School (BHS) and also attends the Computer Networking Technologies program at the Branch Area Careers Center (BACC). His On-the-Job (OJT) Training placement is at the 911 Dispatch Center under the direction of Gabe Pike. His job duties include assisting the system administrator, upgrading computers, and providing county employees with IT support.

Luke’s favorite part of his OJT placement is learning new things about IT security and gaining hands-on experience. He also enjoys seeing how all the departments in the county operate and visiting various county worksites.

At the BACC, Luke has earned his Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+ certification. He is also involved in the student organization Business Professionals of America.

After graduation, Luke plans to build on his OJT experience and enter the workforce in an IT-related position while earning additional industry certifications.

Gabe Pike says, “Luke is an extremely fast learner. He asks the right questions and is very smart. We are lucky to have him.”

Luke is the son of Christopher Dow and Christina Dow.

10/23/2025

Oliver Richards is a senior at Reading High School (RHS) and also attends the Auto Body and Custom Paint program at the Branch Area Careers Center (BACC). His On-the-Job (OJT) Training placement is at Frank Beck Chevrolet in Hillsdale, where he works as an automotive technician under the direction of Mike Beatty. His job duties include assisting other technicians with repairs and maintenance.

Oliver’s favorite part of his OJT placement is being able to work and learn in a hands-on environment during school hours. He enjoys learning new skills, meeting new people, and doing what he loves.

At the BACC, Oliver has earned his Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) ProLevel 1 certification.

After graduating, Oliver intends to use his training and OJT experience to enter the workforce and continue expanding his skills in the automotive repair industry.

Mike Beatty says, “Oliver is ambitious and willing to learn. He’s not afraid of anything that comes into the shop. He works well with all the techs here and is eager to learn from them. This OJT job is a really good fit for him and for us.”

10/15/2025

Addison Calloway is a senior at Bronson High School (BHS) and also attends the Business Management, Marketing, and Technology program at the Branch Area Careers Center (BACC). Her On-the-Job Training (OJT) placement is at the BACC, where she serves as the manager of The Corner Store under the direction of Kelly Spray. One of her main job duties is continuously training the store helpers—students who rotate in from the Business program. She also orders and stocks inventory, helps stock shelves, prepares hot food, and maintains store records. Addison’s favorite part of her OJT placement is training students and watching them grow in their abilities and confidence.

At the BACC, Addison is actively involved in the student organization Business Professionals of America (BPA). She has also earned certifications in Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Marketing Fundamentals, Professional Communications, and Generative AI Foundations.
At BHS, Addison is involved in varsity sideline and competitive cheer.

After graduating, Addison plans to pursue a degree in business management and a career in hospitality management.

Kelly Spray says, “Addison is the consummate professional. Her positive attitude, enthusiasm, and daily smile set the tone for everyone around her. She’s an excellent mentor for our first-year students and truly takes ownership of the school store—her pride in her work shows every day. I have no doubt she will achieve great success after high school.”

10/09/2025

10/09/2025

Yelssi Herrera is a senior at Bronson High School (BHS) and also attends the Business Management, Marketing, and Technology program at the Branch Area Careers Center (BACC). Her On-the-Job (OJT) Training placement is at the BACC, where she serves as the manager of Images Etc. under the direction of Sydney Alatorre. Her job duties include taking orders, creating custom embroidery and vinyl products, handling billing, and supporting the student entrepreneurs in the BACC business program.

Yelssi’s favorite part of her OJT placement is developing close relationships with the people she works with. She also enjoys learning to use the many different machines, as well as the various design software necessary for her work.

At the BACC, Yelssi has earned the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certification. She is also a member of the student organization Business Professionals of America.
At BHS, Yelssi is a member of Youth in Government and is also a Varsity Cheerleader.

After high school, Yelssi plans to attend Grand Valley State University and pursue a degree in Sports Management.
Sydney states, “Yelssi is very dependable. I love that she brings her positive spirit to work daily. She gets along very well with staff and is great at teaching the students how to properly use our equipment.”
vorite part of her OJT placement is developing close relationships with the people she works with. She also enjoys learning to use the many different machines, as well as the various design software necessary for her work.

At the BACC, Yelssi has earned the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certification. She is also a member of the student organization Business Professionals of America.

At BHS, Yelssi is a member of Youth in Government and is also a Varsity Cheerleader.

After high school, Yelssi plans to attend Grand Valley State University and pursue a degree in Sports Management.

Sydney states, “Yelssi is very dependable. I love that she brings her positive spirit to work daily. She gets along very well with staff and is great at teaching the students how to properly use our equipment.”

10/08/2025

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10/08/2025

Naseem Taha is a senior at Coldwater High School (CHS) and also attends the Business Management, Marketing, and Technology program at the Branch Area Careers Center (BACC). His On-the-Job (OJT) Training placement is at Century Bank and Trust, where he works in the Loan Operations Department under the direction of Sara Hannon-Frazee. His job duties include monitoring and tracking insurance, paying premiums, updating system information, and assisting with other loan servicing tasks. After high school, Naseem intends to pursue a career in real estate.

At CHS, Naseem participates in varsity football, track, and powerlifting. He is also a member of the National Scholar Society and National Art Honor Society.

At the BACC, Naseem is an active member of the student organization Business Professionals of America.

Sara shared, “Naseem brings a lot of personality to the office. He is eager to learn, and we love his energy. We enjoy having him as part of our team.”

10/02/2025

Zahoor Ahmed is a senior at Coldwater High School (CHS) and also attends the Business Management, Marketing, and Technology program at the Branch Area Careers Center (BACC). Her On-the-Job (OJT) Training placement is at Century Bank and Trust, where she works as a teller under the direction of Lori Weaver. Her job duties include handling customer deposits, withdrawals, cash advances, loan payments, and other general banking transactions.

Zahoor’s favorite part of her placement is meeting new people and hearing their stories. She also enjoys spending time with her coworkers.

At the BACC, Zahoor earned the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certification. She is also a member of the student organization Business Professionals of America.

At CHS, Zahoor serves as Culture Club President, Astra Club Secretary, and Art Club President. She is also involved with UNICEF.

Lori says, “It is a treat to have Zahoor work here. She is friendly, cheerful, and her smile brightens our customers’ day. She is a quick learner, and we are very happy to have her here.”

10/02/2025

Alex Martinez is a senior at Coldwater High School (CHS) and also attends the Business Management, Marketing, and Technology program at the Branch Area Careers Center (BACC). His On-the-Job (OJT) training placement is at Southern Michigan Bank & Trust, where he works as a teller under the direction of Kala Lilly. His job duties include handling a wide variety of transactions for the bank’s customers. After high school, Alex plans to pursue a career in real estate and become self-employed.

Alex’s favorite part of his OJT placement is building relationships with customers and working alongside the excellent staff at SMB&T. He says the experience has strengthened his communication skills and helped him connect with older professionals.

At the BACC, Alex has served on the officer team of the student organization Business Professionals of America. At CHS, he is a member of the National Art Honor Society and plays varsity soccer.

Kala shares, “Alex's dedication, willingness to learn, and positive attitude have all made a meaningful impact during his training here. He consistently conducted himself with professionalism and was a pleasure to work with. He contributed very positively to the team dynamic. We wish him continued success in all of his future endeavors!”

10/02/2025

It was Agronomy Day at the BACC! Our annual partnership with Keystone Cooperative - Coldwater location always proves to be an educational and fun event. A huge thank you to everyone at Keystone for hosting the AFNR class today!

10/01/2025

PATHFINDER
Looking to explore in-demand careers and discover the degrees or credentials needed to pursue them? Use Pathfinder, Michigan’s online career exploration tool that uses current information related to employment and the workforce, as well as data about the relationship between education and training programs, to help you learn about career paths and jobs in the state.

Start the journey at Pathfinder.MiTalent.org.

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