Another step on the road to success
By Brandon Simes (From South End News), May 19, 2010
South Ender Keith McNair serves as student speaker at CityLab Academy graduation
Villa Victoria resident Keith McNair, 22, stood in his shirt and tie in front of the podium, addressing a roomful of fellow graduates, professors, and family members on Friday morning, May 14. He had been recognized by his professors once again as a leader, chosen to speak on behalf of his class – no surprise given his highly successful career at South Boston High School, where he earned numerous athletic and scholastic honors.
However, although the ceremony came four years after he matriculated at Bentley College on scholarship, McNair would not be graduating with a degree in finance as was expected. Instead, after taking a few unforeseen turns, he earned a certificate from CityLab Academy, a free, educational and laboratory job training program at Boston University.
“We try to choose somebody – and you’re all extraordinary – who represents your class,” explained Rachel Weiss, Counseling Services and Mentor Coordinator for CityLab Academy, while introducing McNair. “And we have chosen this year Keith McNair, who is an extraordinary student, who was born and raised here in [the South End]. … Keith is the student that every faculty member wants to teach, he’s probably the son that every mother wants to have. He is polite, intelligent, well spoken, kind, so helpful to us and the staff and so appreciative.”
McNair, who then addressed the crowd at 801 Massachusetts Avenue, explained why he now hopes to pursue a career in radiology.
“I’ve always had an interest in science, specifically in radiology,” he told the more than 70 gathered. “As a child I was injured in a football game, and had to be X-rayed. I was a bit nervous at first, but once the procedure was complete, I became fascinated. To be able to look inside the body without cutting inside is extraordinary. Also, radiology saved my grandmother’s life. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and was able to be treated following a mammography.”
His mother, Marta Yulfo, likes that idea, and hopes her son can find a job close to home – which very well could happen with BU and other scientific institutions in the neighborhood and Boston as a whole.
“I want him to stay close to me and his family, but whatever he decides will be best for him and I’ll be right behind him,” said Yulfo, who still resides in Villa Victoria.
Several other family members attended, as well as South End Baseball Executive Director Paul Rinkulis, who had unrelenting praise for the new graduate.
“Keith again seems to have risen to the top of this class also. … Everybody in the community is extremely proud of him – everybody,” said Rinkulis. “He’s a son of the area in which this is based out of, so we’re very, very proud for his family, our organization, and the South End community.”
He had always been a “perfect son,” according to his mother, and continued success in business was expected after McNair enrolled at Bentley. But after spending the summer and part of the fall on campus, reality hit: McNair didn’t feel right in his new surroundings, and the pursuit of a degree in finance wasn’t his ultimate goal. So, after just a short stint on campus, he dropped out of school.
He then found a job working as a security guard for GTI Properties, and enrolled in part-time classes at Bunker Hill Community College.
“Bentley is a great school but my real interest is in science,” explained McNair. “I want to be able to help other people out the way I’ve been helped. Really, it makes a difference. In science you’re always pushing yourself harder, you’re always trying to find new ways, new discoveries, whether it’s research or testing.”
At this point, Rinkulis suggested McNair look into CityLab Academy, which could serve as a step toward working in the field of science. Students receive scholarships for twelve BU undergraduate credits, as well as resources such as coaching on study skills and time management, individual and group tutoring, and mentoring. Once they graduate from the program, students walk away armed with a certificate in Biomedical Laboratory Science. This certificate helps prepare them for entry-level jobs at biomedical/biotechnology companies and institutions. Since many of these institutions have tuition reimbursement plans, students can often continue their college education after graduation at little to no cost.
“I looked it up online and I said, ’This is really something that can help my future as a stepping stone to pursue a bachelor’s in the field that I want to be in,’” explained McNair.
Next came the difficult part. McNair continued working full time with GTI Properties, and gave up weekend outings with friends in order to excel in the Academy. Classes ran from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. five days a week, so the toll was high, but enjoyable.
“It’s a lot of work,” McNair said with a laugh. “It’s worth it. Whatever goals you have in life you have to work hard to achieve them. It’s worth it.”
McNair gives much of the credit for his work ethic to his family and South End Baseball.
“Growing up in the South End it’s really diverse, you have good parts and really bad parts,” he said. “Growing up it was pretty tough because a lot of people I grew up with weren’t involved in good stuff so I had to try to just remain positive through sports like South End Baseball, with [Rinkulis] and my mom pushing me, just keeping me on the right path.”
Right on cue, after being recognized as a leader in his graduating class, McNair didn’t follow the tried and true strategy of partying with friends and family; instead, he went back to work at GTI, saving any further celebration for a later time.
CityLab Academy welcomes applications from individuals in the Greater Boston community who have a GED or high school diploma and are seeking a career in the biomedical field and/or the opportunity to pursue college courses in biomedical lab science. To find out about upcoming open houses, entrance tests, and the application process, visit www.bumc.bu.edu/citylabacademy or e-mail medacad@bu.edu.