Future Computer Science major receives Workforce Development Scholarship
Ethan Macal, 18, grew up in Farmington, Minnesota, and will be graduating from Eagan Senior High School in spring 2018. Ethan has enrolled at Inver Hills Community College with the goal to earn his Associate of Science (A.S.) in Computer Science.
Ethan is the recipient of a $2,500 Workforce Development Scholarship for 2018–2019. Half the amount, $1,250, he can use toward fall 2018 educational expenses. He will receive another $1,250 to use toward spring 2019 expenses if he maintains a 2.0 GPA or higher for fall 2018 while enrolled at Inver Hills with at least nine credits in both fall and spring semesters.
“I feel honored and privileged to receive this kind of help for my future,” Ethan said. “I would like to shake the hand of the scholarship donor to show how much the support is appreciated.”
Learn more about Workforce Development Scholarships:
Read “Minnesota State Announces 400 Scholarships” on Inver Hills News.
Michelle Boe, interim executive director of foundation at Inver Hills and Dakota County Technical College reported that Minnesota State has offered 400 Workforce Development Scholarships of $2,500 each for students enrolling in high-demand programs at state colleges.
“Ethan and other Workforce Development Scholarship recipients will be attending the Foundation Donor Recognition Breakfast in January or February 2019,” Michelle said. “We will celebrate Inver Hills scholarship recipients at the event and will also recognize our generous donors who provide scholarship funding for so many of our students.”
More about Ethan…
Ethan chose his major after taking a two-hour career development course.
“I was originally considering a career in photography,” he said, “but after completing the career development course, I discovered I’m fascinated by computer hardware and software applications. Computer science is the perfect program for me.”
Three words that describe you as a college student:
HARDWORKING. DEDICATED. EXPLORATIONAL.
Ethan has volunteered at Crossroads Church in Eagan as a sound booth technician; he currently works at the Italian Pie Shoppe in Eagan. He has plans to continue working while going to school. He is looking forward to exploring the college’s extracurricular activities once the semester starts in the fall. He hasn’t settled on any long-range plans regarding his future.
“I want to approach my academic and career goals one step at a time,” he said.
Ethan enjoys watching all kinds of anime; two of his favorite shows are Naruto and Fairy Tail. He also loves listening to music and really enjoys heavy rock and rap. In his free time, he likes hanging out with his friends.
Computer and Information Scientists
Conduct research in the field of computer and information science.
WAGE
Well above the statewide median of $19.62/hour
Minnesota
Median: $57.83/hour
High: $74.39/hourSeven-county Twin Cities metro
Median: $57.89/hour
High: $75.02/hourOUTLOOK
This career is currently in moderate demand and is seeing very high growth compared to other careers. Growth rate is 17.2 percent, or well above the statewide average. There will be a need for about 120 new Computer and Information Scientists to meet market demand between 2014–2024. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
— Minnesota State CAREERwise Education
Ethan Macal • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: NFL football; favorite team: Detroit Lions
Place you would most like to visit: Las Vegas
- The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Going to the WWO (Winter White Out), a winter retreat for high school students in my church community
- Your personal motto if you had to have one: “I know I want to always do the best I can.” — Adam Sandler
- Favorite all-time TV show: Fairy Tail
- Favorite all-time movie: Transformers: Dark of the Moon
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Buying a Lamborghini
- Most precious material possession: Yeezy Boost 3.0
Dream occupation: Professional photographer
- Person you would most like to meet: Adam Sandler
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Being a left-handed person
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Not enough resources; distribution needs to change
To learn more about Computer Science at Inver Hills, contact:
Chris Aburime
Computer Science Faculty
651-450-3764
For more information about the Foundation, contact:
Michelle Boe, JD
Interim Executive Director of Foundation
Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College
Inver Hills Office: 651-450-3519
DCTC Office: 651-423-8236
Chris Hinrichs
Foundation Business & Accounting Coordinator
651-450-3643
To learn more about the Workforce Development Scholarship, contact:
Aaron Salasek
Director of Outreach and Recruitment
Inver Hills Community College
651-450-3902
