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Court reporting.  Piper Simpson and Kathy Haytak qualified today to take the July 2008 CSR.  Congratulations, Piper and Kathy.

Court reporting student.  Marleen Duron passed a 240 wpm speed level at South Coast College in Orange.  Congratulations to Marleen.  You did it!  You joined the ranks of Karla Dominguez, CSR.

Court reporting.  Kathleen Haytak, a student in the court reporting program at South Coast College in Orange, is an incredible student.  Kathleen started the court reporting program in February 2006, had a baby, returned to school, finished the court reporting program and passed the first qualifying examination that she took to qualify her to take the July 2008 CSR examination.  Congratulations, Kathy.  We are so proud of you.

Students in court reporting.  Kathleen Haytack and Eunyoung Kim started the court reporting program in February 2006 and are already eligible to take the qualifying examinations for the CSR.  Congratulations, Kathy and Eunyoung.

Medical Transcription Student at South Coast College in Orange.  Ann Sansoucie is a medical transcription student who is completing her internship at South Coast College and will soon begin her externship.

Why did you choose medical transcription as a career?

I thought it was interesting, and I liked the medical field.  Also, I worked in my current job for 20 years, and I wanted to learn something new.

Why did you choose South Coast College in Orange?

I actually started the program in court reporting to learn the court reporting machine.  When I finish the program, I want to use my court reporting machine for medical transcription purposes.

Another reason is that the school is close to my home.

What makes the college different from other colleges that you attended?

The degree of help that I receive.  If I need help, there is always someone there to answer my questions.

What surprised you most about Medical Transcription?

I was surprised at how much it entailed.  The scope was broader than I had thought it would be.  I can’t imagine going into the field without the depth of knowledge that I learned about medical procedures, techniques, and so on.

What courses did you enjoy most at South Coast College in Orange?

All my academic courses were enjoyable — anatomy and physiology, surgical instruments, pharmacology, human diseases.

How do you intend to use your skills?

I intend to start by working in a transcription agency, but ultimately I would like to be employed in a hospital.

Where will your externship be?

The Medical Programs Director found me an externship on Chapman Avenue near Brookhurst in Garden Grove.  I am looking forward to doing it.

Court Reporting student at South Coast College.  Aharon Moallem is a court reporting student at 170 wpm at South Coast College.  He has been in the program slightly over a year.

Why did you choose court reporting as a career?

My stepmother told me that because of my natural dexterity with my hands that I would make a good court reporter.  I didn’t know what a court reporter was.  She had a client who was a court reporter and was told that it was a great career.  That court reporter graduated from South Coast College.

My stepmother said that I would be good at court reporting, and it turned out that I was.  It was the best decision that I made in my life.

Why did you choose South Coast College in Orange?

As I indicated, I had heard good things about it.  I investigated and found out that it was the only private college in Orange County that has a court reporting program.  Also, just about everyone that I had talked to in court reporting had graduated from there.

What makes it different from other schools that you attended?

The faculty, staff, and student body cannot be equaled.  No team can be assembled that does what the staff does any better.  It’s like my home, and the faculty, students, and staff are my family.

What surprised you most about South Coast College?

South Coast College is like a family.  It has enriched my life in so many ways.

What surprised you most about court reporting?

I was surprised at the amount of money that court reporters can make.  The alumni speakers who come back are all doing well.  I know that what I am doing is worth the effort.

Medical Assisting at South Coast College in Orange.  Matt Vander Mey is a medical assisting student who is more than half way through the medical assisting program.

What interested you in attending South Coast College?

A friend was attending the court reporting program and encouraged me to attend South Coast College because he liked the school so much.  When I met the director of the Medical Programs who is also an instructor, I knew that I wanted to go to South Coast College to have him as my instructor.  I would have to say that Dr. Ramy is the best teacher that I have ever had in my life.  He is so excited about everything that he teaches, and he transfers his enthusiasm to others.  I want to be just like him.

Why did you choose the Medical Assisting program?

I didn’t have a lot of money, and I wanted to get started in a career as soon as possible.  The Medical Assisting Program is a nine-month program — eight months and an externship.  I know that the Medical Assisting Program is a good way to start on a career path in the field of medicine.  The Medical Programs Director, Ramy Seang, explained that he began his career in a similar way.  He started as a medical assistant, became  a school nurse, then earned his Physicians Assistant degree.  He now is in charge of the medical programs at SCC.

With the number of medical assisting programs available, what makes the South Coast College program unique? 

They don’t have Dr. Ramy for one.  For another, South Coast College has a collegiate atmosphere with an exceptionally qualified professional staff.  You get one-on-one hands-on instruction in a non-intimidating atomosphere.

It also has one of the best equipped medical assisting laboratories.

At South Coast College, you learn and are encouraged to grow.  Everyone is friendly and supportive.  I feel that it has changed my life.  I am so thankful that I found this college.

Tell me some of the procedures that you learned while in the South Coast College Medical Assisting Program. 

I learned how to take vital signs, stitch and bandage a patient, perform urinalysis, do various types of tests, use various types of equipment, do medical billing, use a microscope.  Actually, what we learn is above the scope of medical assisting because Dr. Ramy wants us to have the foundation to continue learning in the medical field, should we wish to continue.

What surprised you most about the Medical Assisting Program?

I was surprised that I actually was able to understand what I was being taught in the program.  I was never very interested in school, but I am really interested in the medical field and want to continue to pursue my education in that area.

Even if someone never thought about becoming a medical assistant, it is a great way to get started in the medical field.  Dr. Ramy makes it so interesting, and his enthusiasm transfers.  I can’t wait for the microbiology course that I will soon be taking with him.  I know it will be really interesting.

I also thought I wouldn’t like medical billing and coding, but I find it fascinating, and Dr. Velasco is a great instructor.

Another thing that I have to keep repeating is that I was surprised at the scope of what we learn.  We really learn a lot.  We learn a lot so that we will be valuable in the workplace.

Edward Reaser, MLS, Librarian/Bookstore Manager at South Coast College in Orange, earned his Masters degree in Library Science from the University of Southern California. 

What interest you in pursuing employment at South Coast College?

I was interested in a librarian position at a small college, after having worked for many years in various types of large libraries.  In a small library setting, you get a chance to know students, faculty, and staff.

What surprised you most about South Coast College?

Actually, several things surprised me.  The dedication and motivation of the students was the thing that most surprised me.  It is rare to find students filling the learning resource centers when they are not required to be at school.  Even on student holidays when the college is open, many students are on campus working.

The other things that most surprised me was the scope of the library and learning resource centers for the size of the school. 

1.  Each program has a dedicated learning center, in addition to the extensive on-campus library. 

2.  The large number of computer terminals for access to on-line resources located throughout the campus.

3.  The depth of the library legal collection, and the fact that it is shared with Pacific West College of law.

4.   The accessibility of the campus resources to students from early morning to late at night.

In regard to the bookstore at South Coast College in Orange, I was surprised at the extent of the bookstore inventory and the convenience that it provides to students.  Not many schools the size of South Coast College has a bookstore on campus that has the hours available for student convenience that this one has.  The bookstore is accessible to students from 8-2 p.m. daily and 5-8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with added hours at the beginning of each quarter.

Speaking of the bookstore at South Coast College, why did you assume the responsibilities of Bookstore Manager along with your responsibilities of Librarian?

The two are closely related.  The library and bookstore are in close proximity.  I felt that by working in conjunction with the bookstore staff and making myself available in the bookstore at times, I could be more responsive to the needs of both faculty and students.  Working in the bookstore, I really learn what the needs of the faculty and students are. 

The bookstore now provides not only the books and supplies needed for the courses but an array of supplementary materials.

Of what accomplishments at South Coast College are you most proud?

In addition to the task of weeding out from the library collection books to provide room for updated materials and better student access which is an on-going task in any library, I think that I am most proud of our new program of making library tips available to students via the South Coast College website.  

I would also have to say that I am proud that our instructors encourage students to use the library by actually bringing classes into the library for a day, showing the students how to do research, and in taking them off campus to the Orange County Law Library.

What advantages do you believe a student has by attending South Coast College with regard to library services?

1.  The fact that there is a library on site that has on-line access.

2.  The close proximity of South Coast College to major medical and legal libraries.  The Orange County Public Law Library, the new Orange Public Library, and the UCI Medical Libary are within a few miles or a few blocks of the college.

3.  The extensive law collection because there is a shared use with a law school.

Katerine Netessova, a student at South Coast College in Orange, who was raised and educated in Russia, this week passed her 225 wpm skills test and will graduate with an AAS degree in Court Reporting.  Katerine taught English in Russia.  She is only one of three foreign-born students to attain the skills level to attend the CSR examination from South Coast College.  Gehane (Gigi) Cassis, CSR, is from Egypt.   Josiane Bencke Donnelly, CSR, is from Brazil. 

William Dixon, B.A., J.D. Director of Legal Programs at South Coast College in Orange obtained his B.A. degree in Political Science and J.D. degree from Western State University, College of Law, Fullerton, CA.  He held many positions at Western State University over a 20-year period.  In addition to bein a professor, he held the titles of Associate Dean of Academics; Assistant Dean of Academics; Assistant Dean of Students; Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs/Assistant Dean of Academic Administration, Part-time Division at Western State University.  Dr. Dixon is also an adjunct faculty member at Pacific West College of Law in Orange, CA. 

What interested you in pursuing employment at South Coast College?

When I came to South Coast College, I was looking for a challenge.  I knew I enjoyed training people for employment in the legal field, but I wanted something new.  I enjoyed my experience at Western State University College of Law where I trained law students for 20 years, and I decided that I would like the opportunity to utilize my expertise in developing a program that truly would prepare students for the paralegal and legal administrative assistant areas.  South Coast College was looking for a legal program director who would transform the existing program into a vibrant, dynamic program, and I wanted the challenge. 

 I knew that South Coast College had been around for close to 50 years and that it had an established reputation for excellence.  When I interviewed, I immediately knew that it was where I wanted to be.

What surprised you most about South Coast College in Orange?

I think what most both surprised me and impressed me was the caring, helpful environment that I encountered right away.  Everyone who works at South Coast College really wants to see students succeed.  It is apparent from the moment you step on campus.  Everyone who works at South Coast College — from the front office receptionist to the maintenance employees– knows that the goal of the college is to produce successful graduates.  It is the focus of everyone who holds any position on campus.

The other thing that surprised me was the high caliber of the students.  I was soon to learn that there was little difference between the law students whom I had taught at Western State University and the South Coast College paralegal and legal administrative assistants.  The only real difference was in their career goals.

What makes the South Coast College legal programs special? 

I believe that the faculty and the curriculum are what sets South Coast College legal programs apart.  All the faculty in the paralegal program have law degrees.  One is an experienced law clerk/paralegal.  The others are practicing attorneys.  All the instructors teach because they thoroughly enjoy teaching and helping students to attain positions in the legal field.  Another plus is that the faculty teach in their areas of expertise.  Many are recognized leaders in their respective areas.

The curriculum is designed to give students thorough training in legal concepts and practical application, with an emphasis on civil litigation. 

1.  Students receive a thorough foundation in substantive law:  torts,  contracts, family law, legal research and writing.  Electives are available in contemporary hot topics, such as:  immigration law and intellectual property.

2.  The curriculum emphasizes legal ethics.

3.  Students receive the all-important hands-on experience with legal procedures that enable them to become employable right away in a law office.

4.  The majority of classes are small.  The largest class size range is 18-20 students.  Students have an opportunity to work with the instructor and with each other on projects.

5.  The environment is helpful and supportive.  It is an easier environment in which to become successful.

6.  Students take a number of general education courses with students from other programs.  The legal students feel part of the college, not just part of a program.

7.  The quality of the program produces quality students who are easy to place in legal environments. 

Another consideration is that South Coast College is highly respected in Orange County and California for its legal programs and throughout the nation for its court reporting program.

Of what accomplishments at South Coast College in Orange are you most proud?

I am most proud of the dedicated faculty that I have recruited.  The faculty are responsible for elevating the program to the quality it now enjoys.  South Coast College is fortunate to have amassed a number of prominent attorneys from diverse areas of specialty who work in the field and enjoy sharing their expertise with students.

I am equally as proud of the fine legal administrative assistant and paralegal graduates who have emerged from the legal programs at South Coast College.

Is it possible for students to obtain positions in the legal administrative assistant and paralegal areas?

There are numerous positions available in these areas.  The main attraction for students who already hold B.A. degrees is that it enables them to get entry-level positions in the legal field.  Both areas are great entry-level positions in terms of professional responsibility and salary.  So many people leave four-year colleges without skills to enable them to become employable in entry-level positions.  Having a degree in addition to having skills needed in a legal office increases a person’s marketablility.

Is it necessary for a student to have a degree before taking the legal programs at South Coast College?

A degree is not necessary.  All training in either field starts at ground zero, assuming no prior knowledge.  If you are currently employed in a legal office and you wish to move up into positions of more responsibility, the paralegal program at South Coast College would be most helpful.  If you have never worked in a law office but would like to get started in that area, a good departure point is the Legal Administrative Assistant.  Many of our Legal Administrative Assistants go on to later become Paralegals.