Investing in His Future

"Everything I learned, I use in my job, which I love because I don’t want to learn something and then lose it."

When Garren Samuel completed the Accounting Services program at Francis Tuttle Technology Center in March, he didn’t have to wait long to take his next career step. 

On April 1, he started his new role as a client administrator at TJIM, an investment firm in downtown Oklahoma City. There, he confirms the managers’ trades for that day and does statements, billing, and invoicing for clients. Samuel said he loves his job and the welcoming, friendly environment, and has also enjoyed learning more about the stock market. 

Samuel initially pursued mechanical engineering but decided that wasn’t the correct path. He’s always liked numbers, contributing to his interest in accounting and discovering Francis Tuttle’s program. The staff members he met with told him he would love the program, and although it meant driving about 30 minutes to the Rockwell Campus every morning, Samuel decided to enroll.

“They said I was going to love the instructor and the hands-on experience and that everybody who goes through the program absolutely adores it,” Samuel shared. “The environment here is really friendly and tight-knit, and once you’re at Francis Tuttle, you feel like a family.”

Samuel added that Jayne Hudson “is one of the best teachers I’ve had in my life” and credited her for being instrumental in his finishing the program. Samuel utilizes skills gained at Francis Tuttle every day in his current role.  

“Everything I learned, I use in my job, which I love because I don’t want to learn something and then lose it,” Samuel said. 

Samuel earned multiple certifications aft Francis Tuttle, including Microsoft Office Specialist and ODCTE Full Charge Bookkeeper. He was also involved in Business Professionals of America (BPA), where he served as a treasurer, and was a National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) member. 

“You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take, so go ahead and take that chance, take that shot,” Samuel encouraged. “You know what might come out of that opportunity. It's going to be hard, especially if you're full-time, but you just have to have that perseverance to continue and finish strong. At the end, it's definitely worth it.”