Dan Mickelson knows the power of second chances—and now he’s prepared to help others find theirs.
Seven years into his own sobriety journey, the Edgerton native is nearing graduation from Blackhawk’s Substance Use Disorder Counseling (SUDC) program. His goal is to support others who are ready to make changes in their lives, just as counselors once supported him.
“I got sober seven years ago,” Dan Mickelson said. “Pretty quickly after that happened, I realized I may want to pursue a career that would allow me to work with others who are trying to positively change their lives. Along my own journey, there were several professionals that helped me in ways that I was not yet capable of helping myself. I want to do the same for others who are ready to make meaningful changes in their lives.”
Dan plans to complete the SUDC program in December and then pursue a bachelor’s degree and eventually a master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Whether he continues immediately or takes a short break, he’s already working toward the 3,000 hours of professional experience required for licensure as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Wisconsin.
Dan said he chose Blackhawk for its flexibility, affordability, and the quality of the program.
“First, they offered a program that fit exactly what I was looking for to begin meeting my career needs. Additionally, Blackhawk offers my program fully online. This is something that was of high importance to me, as I have worked a full-time job,a part-time job and been parenting a young child for the majority of the time I have spent at Blackhawk. Finally–and maybe most importantly–was the cost-effectiveness of Blackhawk. I have been able to provide a solid foundation for my education at a price that has not left me riddled with debt,” he said.
Dan credits his instructors for making the experience not only manageable, but meaningful. Two faculty members stood out in particular: Ann Young, lead instructor of the Human Services program, and Carissa Johnson, lead instructor of SUDC.
“The recognition, feedback and encouragement provided by Ann and Carissa fueled my motivation and passion throughout my time here,” Dan said. “Both of these women were quick to respond and happy to help anytime I reached out for any reason. I cannot say enough great things about either of them.”
While at Blackhawk, Dan developed not only academic knowledge but also essential life skills, and through a required internship, he found his way into a job even before finishing the program.
His advice for others considering Blackhawk is simple: “Just do it. Blackhawk is a great place to begin any educational journey. I will be honest and say that I do not enjoy school. There are plenty of other things that I would rather spend my time and money doing. That being said, the cost effectiveness, the supportive instructors and the ability to work with any schedule has made my time at Blackhawk as painless–and even as enjoyable–as I could possibly imagine.”
Learn more about Blackhawk’s Substance Use Disorder Counseling program at blackhawk.edu/SUDC.