Podcast by Patrick Bennett
Maverick Voices
Maverick Voices is for the Midlands Technical college community to share there journey to MTC and what makes MTC the place for them. Join us for these insightful conversations about MTC community members.
Maverick Voices
Latest episodes
18 July 2025
Maverick Voices: Tatiana’s Journey to Biomedical Engineering
Tatiana, a biomedical engineering student from Columbia, SC, shares her inspiring journey from cheerleading and college doubts to becoming a mother and returning to school with a new purpose. She opens up about choosing MTC over a faraway university, overcoming the fear of college, and how her son now drives her dream of becoming a doctor in biomedical engineering.
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22:38
11 July 2025
Destiny's Journey: From Maryland to MTC
Destiny, a history major at MTC, shares her journey from Maryland to South Carolina, highlighting the cultural differences and adjustments she faced. Originally an art major, she switched to history with aspirations of becoming an attorney. Although new to college, Destiny finds joy in exploring new opportunities and perspectives, appreciating the diversity and events her current institution offers. She balances her student life with an overnight job at Amazon, managing a schedule that accommodates her classes and family responsibilities. Her story reflects the challenges and rewards of pursuing higher education later in life.
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19:24
27 June 2025
Maverick Voices: Eight Years Later: Finding Purpose in Engineering
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Ryan, an electrical engineering student at Midlands Technical College, who shares his unique journey from Brooklyn, New York, to Columbia, South Carolina, and back to college after an eight-year break. Ryan shares how he once struggled with anxiety and a lack of direction during his first attempt at college, but now returns with a renewed mindset, clear goals, and a deep desire to learn. We dive into the mental hurdles of studying in math heavy fields like engineering, the power of seeing others succeed, and the support he found through MTC’s tutoring programs.
00:00
27:04
17 January 2025
Maverick Voices: Viewing the World in a Unique Lens
In the episode, Patrick sits down with Nick, a computer science student at MTC, to discuss his experiences at school and how he navigates life with Autism and ADHD. Nick's unique perspective helps him look at learning differently and creatively. Additionally, he expresses his excitement about being a part of the MTC community and his involvement in the NSM club.
00:00
27:10
22 November 2024
From Art to Architecture: Israel's Unconventional Journey
In this episode of Maverick Voices, host Patrick chats with Israel, a student from the building construction program. Initially starting her academic journey as an art major, Israel later pursued pre-nursing before finally finding her true passion in building construction. As a first-generation Trinidadian American, Israel shares her cultural experiences and the challenges she faced shifting from New York to South Carolina. She discusses her family's reaction to her career changes and highlights the intellectual aspects of construction that captivated her interest, shedding light on the complexities and diverse career opportunities in the field.
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31:07
15 November 2024
Maverick Voices: Fostering Hope
In this episode, Patrick interviews Katie Miller, who is in Midlands Technical College's business program and plans to open up a non-profit that will help children in the foster care system and children with disabilities. She is motivated by her personal experiences as a child in foster care, and wants to be a positive influence for children going through what she went through. Katie explains that the welcoming and helpful environment at MTC has helped her do her best and clearly evaluate her path in life.
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21:48