By Derrick Smith

Deciding on what you will do for the rest of your life can be somewhat overwhelming at times. As students enter their high school years, they will have to make a decision on what they will do after they graduate. For some, it may be a college or university, while others may go directly into the workforce, and there are still other choices like the military or a trade school. 

Kenneth Johnson II is a senior at Canton High School and he also takes classes at Northwest Tech. He says that attending Northwest Tech has helped him decide on what to do with his life and it has also given him a head start.
“I have always been interested in cars,” he said. “I plan to go to the Universal Technical Institute and become GM certified so I can work at a dealership. I am in the Automotive Services program at Northwest Tech and they are helping me get ready for my future in the automotive industry. They are really helping me to become proficient in my trade.”

Kenneth first heard about the programs offered at Northwest Tech when his school took a tour to learn more about it. While the automotive program he is in is doing a great job of preparing him for the future, he knows this path is not for everyone.

“Learning a trade is not for everyone,” he stated. “It takes hard work and patience, but it is a great option for people who are willing to put in the work.”

Throughout his life, Kenneth says that he has been motivated by a group of people whom he owes a lot of who he is today. He says that they have always been there for him and helped him along the way.

“My parents and my grandparents have been the biggest role models and influence in my life,” he said. “They have taught me what the world is really about and to have a plan no matter what.”

Along with his programs at Northwest Tech, Johnson is also a member of the Future Farmers of America organization and the art program at Canton High School.