Stories of Excellence – Josh Ford

Entering burning buildings was not always a part of Josh Ford’s career plans. After nine years in sales, Ford began looking for something beyond the desk. Having always been an active person, he chose to pursue a career in public service, becoming one of the people he recalled looking up to as a child.

Ford came to Mitchell’s Basic Fire Fighter Training program in fall 2015 because of the convenience of classes and the opportunity to learn from prestigious instructors in the field. “I look forward to going to class – it is something new every day,” Ford said. Basic Fire Training is just one of the many programs at Mitchell that engage students in hands-on learning. Ford noted how much he enjoyed the real-world experience he gained. “That’s the most interesting part. Not only do you do something fun but you come out with a credential at the end.” He summed up his experience at Mitchell as educationally exciting.

Ford is currently in Mitchell’s EMT Basic program, a prerequisite for many fire departments. His long-term goals include becoming a fire fighter and potentially pursing a career as a paramedic or even a nurse. Ford encourages anyone who wants to change their career or learn a new skill to enroll at Mitchell. “Go for it,” he said, “If you can do it and want to make a change in your life, this is the place.”