Milwaukee South News

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) offers dual-enrollment academies in several high-demand technical fields, enabling high school students to gain practical experience and earn college credits before graduation. This opportunity has significantly impacted one local teen's future career.

Carter Struebing, who graduated from Oak Creek High School (OCHS) in 2023, had always been interested in firefighting. A conversation with his high school counselor introduced him to MATC’s dual enrollment program, which allows high school seniors to take college-level courses while still attending 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 joined MATC’s Fire Technician program. The program is designed for students interested in emergency medical and fire protection services and takes place at MATC’s Oak Creek campus. It prepares students for important industry certifications such as Firefighter I and II, and Hazmat Operations. Participants earn both college and high school credits, providing them a head start in their careers.

After finishing high school, Carter pursued classes to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). In January of this year, he began an internship at the Oak Creek Fire Department while completing his coursework. He graduated from MATC with a two-year Fire Tech degree in May 2024. Now, just a year after graduating from high school, Carter is the newest firefighter at the Oak Creek Fire Department. At 19 years old, he is 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 memorable 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 journey highlights 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.” He continues to advance his career by attending the Paramedic Program at MATC. His 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!”