Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) offers dual-enrollment academies in several high-demand technical fields, allowing high school students to gain hands-on experience and earn college credits before graduation. For one local teen, MATC’s Fire Technician program changed the trajectory of his future.

Carter Struebing, a 2023 graduate of Oak Creek High School (OCHS), always had an interest in firefighting. However, it wasn’t until a conversation with his high school counselor that he learned about MATC’s dual enrollment program, which allows high school seniors to take college-level courses while still in school.

“I was always interested in this career, but after learning about the dual-enrollment opportunity, I decided to give it a shot,” Carter says. During his senior year at OCHS, Carter enrolled in MATC’s Fire Technician program, which is designed for students interested in emergency medical and fire protection services. The program, held at MATC’s Oak Creek campus, prepares students for critical industry certifications like Firefighter I and II, and Hazmat Operations. High school students enrolled in the program earn both college and high school credits, giving them a head start in their careers.

After graduating from high school, Carter enrolled in classes to also become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). In January of this year, he was hired as an intern at the Oak Creek Fire Department while completing his coursework – and he graduated from MATC with his two-year Fire Tech degree in May 2024. Now, just a year after high school graduation, Carter has become the newest firefighter at the Oak Creek Fire Department. At just 19 years old, he’s not only a recent high school graduate, but also a trained professional firefighter. “It’s really amazing that I was able to get a jump start on my career this early,” Carter exclaims. “I’m grateful for the program and the opportunities it provided me.”

In a heartfelt moment, Carter’s grandfather, retired Oak Creek Fire Department Commander Charles Liebl, presented him with his badge during his official swearing-in ceremony. “Ever since I was little, he told me how much he loved his job, and he was so excited when I told him my career plans,” Carter recalls. “My grandfather was definitely a big influence on my career path. He’s the one who originally encouraged me to join the cadet program during my junior year. I’m thankful for that.”

Carter’s experience is a testament to the collaborative effort between Oak Creek High School and MATC. “I’m so glad I did it,” Carter reports. “It gave me a path to a career that I love.” Carter is furthering his career by attending the Paramedic Program at MATC. Carter’s advice to current high school students? “I would definitely encourage all high school students to look into these programs. There’s probably something out there for you, too!”