When St. Clair County Community College alumna Emily Walsh enrolled in the Blue Water Middle College Academy (BWMCA) in 2016, she had no idea her path would lead to full-time employment in Texas in just three short years.
Walsh, who walked with her Port Huron Northern High School peers at the school’s Commencement Ceremony in June 2018, secured a digital marketing internship with the USA Today Network in her third year as a BWMCA student.
“I received a recommendation for the internship from one of my instructors at SC4, Dan McCarty, who cited my commitment and hard work,” said Walsh. “SC4 helped me immensely by letting me use my internship as my elective credits. I was able to take all my other classes online while pursuing my internship.”
In May 2019, she graduated from SC4 and BWMCA with an Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences with a focus on web development and a high school diploma, respectively. She also was hired by the USA Today Network two months prior to her internship ending for a full-time position as a client success manager.
Walsh credits the BWMCA, SC4 professors and her digital marketing internship for helping her improve her skills and abilities and secure full-time employment at the news network.
“Without this program, I wouldn’t have met my professor and I wouldn’t have gotten my degree, which enabled me to get this job,” Walsh said. “I am so thankful for the help and resources SC4 and the BWMCA provided.”
Walsh’s future plans include pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science at the University of Texas and one day opening her own design business. For now, though, she’s thoroughly enjoying her new role at the USA Today Network and exploring Plano, Texas.
“I love living in the North Dallas/Plano area,” Walsh said. “My mom is from Texas and it was always my dream to move to Dallas. I never expected it to be so soon, though. There’s always something to do, and you never get bored living here. On top of that, my work environment is amazing. I never expected my life to turn out this way, but I’m so glad that it did. I look forward to living in Texas for many years to come!”
