April 28, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Always remember, at GRCC, you are surrounded by people who want you to be successful and are ready to walk with you on your educational pathway. We are here to help!
Meet Jeff Byrd. Jeff is here to help GRCC students realize a new dream or career path. Which is both satisfying and challenging work.
“Working with a diverse group of students keeps it very interesting,” Jeff said. “Understanding their different backgrounds, and the journey for them to get to this point, and then helping them figure out their life path or change of career is very rewarding for me.”
As an educational training specialist and career coach, Jeff helps GRCC Job Training students learn about their options. He helps them explore the skills they’d like to develop and the career they’d like to begin. Then he helps students choose a Job Training program that will get them the type of entry level employment that will help them reach their career goals.
Jeff is someone prospective students and their parents can really talk to. “As a coach I enjoy talking with the students to understand what their experience was before they came to us, and try to understand where they want to go,” said Jeff. “With this information, hopefully I can recommend an educational pathway that will be successful for their future.”
The students Jeff coaches learn quickly that he is dedicated to helping them pick the right path. They also know that they can rely on him. Jeff holds himself accountable to his students because he expects the same in return.
“I will work with them and support them to achieve all of the educational goals that they desire,” said Jeff. “I want students to be dedicated and accountable for their educational goals, and to take their education seriously. I am my student’s biggest supporter but will also hold them accountable for not following through.”
“Communication is a very important part of a career coach and student relationship,” said Jeff. “So, I encourage my students to communicate so that we can eliminate any misunderstandings. Connecting this way, I believe, helps with a better experience.”
Jeff attended GRCC to take one class as a guest student while earning his bachelor’s degree. “My experience here as a student was great and the staff were very helpful,” he said. “GRCC has always been very helpful in the community, and so I am very proud to say that I work for an organization that cares for its students and community.”
Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Ferris State University and then a master’s degree in business from Davenport University.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work in various careers, from local government work, k-12 education, manufacturing and back to education,” said Jeff. I have always been in careers where I am helping people and that is something that I truly enjoy. Helping someone realize their potential and dreams is a satisfying thing for me. So, I hope to continue this journey helping others.”
Learn about GRCC Job Training programs can lead to a rewarding career in the skilled trades in a relatively short amount of time at grcc.edu/JobTraining.