Testimonial of an NMTI graduate

Editor’s Note: The following is the personal testimony and experience of the writer on behalf of her colleagues who were conferred their certificates at the Northern Marianas Trades Institute graduation held Sept. 28, 2015, at the Sandcastle, Hyatt Regency Saipan.

Two years ago I realized that one thing I wanted the most was to start a career in the hotel industry. So one day, I applied at a local hotel. I went through the interview process and a few days later I received a letter in the mail stating that, “We regret to inform you that your education and experience does not relate to the job that you are applying for.”

I felt stuck, but I wanted to prove that I could do it if I had the proper training, but I didn’t know what to do until I heard about NMTI’s program through the John Gonzales LIVE talk show, hosting the late Mr. Anthony Pellegrino, the founder of NMTI, and Mr. Vic Cepeda, the institute’s administrator at the time. I immediately saw the opportunity that I can pursue my education and training at NMTI and be able to qualify for employment in the hotel industry.

I fell that we are fortunate and blessed to have NMTI in our community with its goals and mission, to educate, train, and employ CNMI residents in the job market to be self-sufficient in their lives. Many of us have been through so many struggles to get this far. Twenty-nine years have passed for me, with all the ups and downs, but I am so happy that I finally did it!

As graduates of NMTI, we have accomplished this opportunity of a lifetime by successfully completing our training and certification and investing in ourselves and our community. With this certification and accomplishment, we have enhanced our lives and are improving our living standards and strengthening our business community for the future.

I support NMTI’s vision and encourage those CNMI residents who cannot easily pursue a college education to instead explore the careers and on the job training to be productive citizens of our CNMI.

Unfortunately, NMTI is one of the three institutes that receives minimal CW education funding by the CNMI government, even though it is the only true institute that focuses solely on educating and training our local residents to fill private sector jobs.

Through my experiences, I believe NMTI is the most deserving institute to receive adequate funding. I encourage our CNMI leaders to support NMTI 100 percent to train and employ the people of the CNMI who need it most.

I invite everyone in this community to explore what this program offers and not be afraid to pursue a career in the trades because our community needs us.

Always remember to be positive, be patient, never give up, and be happy. You all have the potential to succeed if you really want to make a difference in your life and the lives of the people who mean the most to you.

NMTI has made my passion a reality and I say this with pride that I am now certified and an employee at the Hyatt Regency Saipan, our premiere 5-star hotel, as a guest services officer, and my goal is to grow and climb high in this career and reap the benefits of our growing hospitality industry.

I sincerely thank the NMTI faculty and staff, leaders, associates, and all agencies for their dedication and collaboration to make the CNMI workforce a continued success.

Congratulations, job well done! NMTI, climb! (Eleanor Masga Tudela-Tenorio, Special to the Saipan Tribune)

Eleanor Masga Tudela-Tenorio is a Hospitality Industry graduate of the Northern Marianas Trades Institute. The students went through 180 classroom hours and 240 hours internship for the hotel and restaurant operations program and 84 classroom hours and 240 hours internship for the culinary arts program. Two students each from both programs were chosen to give remarks about their experiences during their course and internship.