Chippewa Valley Times

Charlie Nilsson and Elizabeth Buck are two individuals who have benefited from taking college courses while still in high school, setting them on paths to successful careers at a young age.

Nilsson, a graduate of Eau Claire Memorial High School, began his journey into business during middle school by turning a simple lawn mowing job into a full-fledged lawn care service. His interest shifted to construction during high school. "I never thought too much about construction and carpentry until my senior year," he said. He took advantage of the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) Residential Construction High School Academy to further his skills in this area. This decision has led him to work in residential construction with prospects of becoming a project manager soon.

Similarly, Elizabeth Buck started her college education at CVTC while attending Chippewa Falls Senior High School, focusing on healthcare. Her experience volunteering at a nursing home when her great-grandfather fell ill solidified her career aspirations. "I always knew I wanted to do something with people," she stated. The EMT High School Academy program at CVTC was pivotal for her: "It gave me a lot of confidence because it was one of the first times in my life where I was actively building toward something that I knew I wanted to do."

Buck's educational journey continued as she earned a bachelor's degree in biology with a concentration in neuroscience from St. Olaf College while working various medical jobs, including at Mayo Clinic and Hennepin County Medical Center. She is currently attending medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Both Nilsson and Buck credit CVTC for guiding them towards fulfilling careers. Buck emphasizes the importance of finding purpose: “What’s really important when you think about your future is figuring out what gives you purpose.” She also advocates for continuous skill development: “I think what's really cool about gaining skills...you can continue to add to your skill level, and you should continue to grow your skillset.”