Brenda Hopster Morgan
Wyoming Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee
Casper, WY USA
"I refuse to stand-by and just make suggestions, but rather take charge and lead by example."
Career Roadmap
Brenda's work combines: Education, Technology, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Rocky Mountain High School
Bachelor's Degree
Business/Office Automation/Technology/Data Entry
Western Wyoming Community College
Certification
Organizational Leadership
Mountain States Employer Council
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Training Director:
Bachelor's Degree: Accounting and Business/Management
Vocational: Electrician
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Vowed to be my high school student body president on the gym bleacher during my high school freshman orientation!
2.
Ran for Associated Student Government President at college when I didn't agree with the only candidate running and won!
3.
After graduating from WWCC was hired back full-time and worked in Enrollment Services and the Housing/Student Activities Office for 8 years.
4.
Started taking classes towards a bachelor's degree, while working full-time, with dreams of becoming the Director of Housing/Student Activities one day.
5.
Met the love of my life while working an information booth for the college at the county fair and moved to Casper, WY to support my husband in a great career opportunity, saying goodbye to Western.
6.
Was hired by the Wyoming Department of Employment as an HR specialist and then transitioned to the Executive Assistant to the Unemployment Insurance Administrator;
7.
Accepted the position of Office Manager/Executive Assistant to the WEJATC Training Director in 2011.
8.
Interviewed and was offered the position of Training Director for the WEJATC to replace the Training Director who had held the position for 17 years. I enjoy it and learn something new everyday!
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
It's not common for someone to be an electrical apprenticeship training director without being an electrician first, plus there are very few female apprenticeship training directors in the country.
How I responded:
The position of being a training director has evolved to not just sharing trade knowledge, but an in-depth understanding of legal issues, financial operations, office management skills, customer service skills, marketing, communication and problem solving. All of these skills can be obtained through a variety of experience and education and you should always strive to learn and develop everyday. Having the desire to help people dissolves concerns over gender.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I was the oldest of seven children and neither of my parents had went to college. I worked hard academically and athletically to earn scholarships to attend Western WY Community College and was fortunate to meet great staff and educators there!