MDC alumnus Tyrone Thompkin poses with his supervisor, Marcela Brown

Alumnus secures job at Institute for Child and Family Health Inc.

Tyrone Thompkin, 30, graduated from MDC in May 2007 with a bachelor's degree in public safety management. Four months later, he was hired by the Institute for Child and Family Health Inc. (ICFH) — one of the oldest, largest and most respected providers of counseling services in Florida. ICFH’s Sylvia Sanders recruited Tyrone when she posted a case manager position to the MDC Student Employment and Internship Opportunities Online Site,where students and alumni can search for jobs and internships posted by local and national employers.

ICFH provides assistance to children, adolescents and families who are coping with a wide range of issues – from relatively simple behavior and adjustment problems to more serious conditions of depression, anxiety, child abuse and trauma. Services are provided in the family's home, the child's school, or in one of three outpatient centers.

As a case manager, Thompkin's main objective is to provide guidance and help for youth, ages 12 to 15, by connecting them to community resources. For example, he helps place the siblings of juvenile habitual offenders into prevention programs. He visits local schools to make sure that students in the ICFH program are on track with their educational goals. He also contributes to the health of his clients' families by helping them apply for food stamps, Medicaid and other government assistance.

Thompkin said that MDC prepared him for career success by treating him more like a family member than a student. "The professors and staff not only taught, but also mentored me into becoming a top candidate for the case-manager position at ICFH. They taught me that dedication and hard work would pay off, as long as I continued to dedicate myself and make the commitment in this, or any position.” 

Thompkin said his degree helped him understand the importance that safety and social services play in building a better community. He also praised Career Services for the MDC Student Employment and Internship Opportunities Online Site, which helped him obtain an interview and secure a position matching his career objectives and interests. 

Marcela Brown,Thompkin's supervisor at ICFH, gave him a glowing review. "Tyrone's studies at MDC prepared him very well. He has the right values — such as honesty, integrity and effort — to do his job. He also has the enthusiasm and ability to continue learning."  

Brown prefers to employ MDC graduates and added, “When I hire a student from MDC, I know they will be conscious of their responsibility and the effect it has on their job and company. These students have dreams, are invested in the community and are willing to work hard.” 

ICFH is just one of 3,000 employers that post job opportunities to MDC’s online student employment and internship site.

"When faculty and staff interact with students — whether through registration, advising, or in the classroom — I hope they will refer them to the Career Services Web site. Students can decide on a major through career exploration, build or upload a resume, obtain an interview, and find a job through the student employment and internship opportunities online site," said Rebeca Garcia-Cartaya, College director of student employment services.