Host Mike Cardinal interviews two Admissions Counselors from Lincoln Technical Institute: Loren Bienkowski and Nicole Givens. There are a series of questions covering the difference between career driven classes vs. a four year university. Both guests share more details around the support provided to submit an application, apply for financial aid and select the right programs. Many don’t realize technical institutes are held to higher level standards when providing shorter 30-40 week courses. Lincoln Tech invests heavily in supporting students in the program selection process, the graduation process and the job placement process. Learn about new campus launches and upgrades to labs and hands-on training environments.
Host: Mike Cardinal
Guests: Lauren Bienkowski (Director of Admissions, Lincoln Tech – New Britain)
& Nicole Givens (Admissions, Lincoln Tech – Shelton)
In this episode of Spring Path to Podcast, host Mike Cardinal sits down with Lauren Bienkowski and Nicole Givens from Lincoln Technical Institute to discuss a powerful topic: how trade education is transforming lives and reshaping the future workforce.
For many high school seniors and adults looking to pivot their careers, the question looms — Should I go to a four-year university, or consider a trade school?
Lincoln Tech’s answer is simple: Get the skills, get to work, and build your future faster.
Both guests took unexpected routes into education.
Lauren began in nursing school, but quickly realized her passion was helping people in a different way. Sixteen years later, she now leads admissions at Lincoln Tech’s New Britain campus and has helped countless students find their professional calling.
Nicole, whose background is in public relations and communications, found her way into admissions more than twenty years ago. After serving at multiple institutions, she discovered her true fit in career-focused education.
“I really believe in the trades,” she says. “We’ve been a hidden secret for too long.”
Lincoln Tech programs are designed to get students career-ready quickly.
Most run between 9 and 22 months, focusing entirely on hands-on skills without the burden of unnecessary general education classes.
“When you think of a traditional school,” Lauren explains, “you think of two, four, six years — and tons of prerequisites. Our students start learning their trade on day one.”
This career-driven model attracts students who want real-world experience and faster access to the workforce.
From the moment students apply, Lincoln Tech focuses on personalized support.
Admissions staff help with:
Career planning sessions
Program overviews and scheduling
Financial aid assistance (available both in person and virtually)
Once enrolled, Student Services teams closely monitor attendance and performance, providing help for students facing challenges like transportation, finances, or personal issues.
“We hold your hand through the whole process,” says Lauren. “You’re never just thrown in.”
Lincoln Tech sets clear expectations from the start.
Students must complete specific classroom and lab hours to qualify for licensure or apprenticeship programs, depending on their field.
“We educate and prepare them,” Nicole explains. “It’s up to the student to take that next step and complete the process.”
In other words — Lincoln Tech lays the foundation, but the student builds the house.
Lincoln Tech operates under ACCSC accreditation, holding the school accountable for key benchmarks like graduation, retention, and job placement.
“You can’t just pay tuition and disappear,” Lauren adds. “We need you to show up, graduate, and start your career.”
That accountability extends both ways — the institution’s success is tied directly to its students’ success.
With campuses across 10 states, Lincoln Tech continues to grow.
A new Houston campus is set to open, and the Shelton campus recently unveiled a 10,000-square-foot electrical wing and a brand-new HVAC program.
Programs are developed based on labor market demand, ensuring graduates have real opportunities waiting when they finish.
“We only offer what’s in demand,” Nicole notes. “There’s a skills gap in this country — and our graduates are helping fill it.”
Lincoln Tech’s impact stretches across generations.
Many families have sent multiple members through its programs — parents, children, even siblings. Nicole shared a personal story:
“My brother went back to school later in life for electrical training. He landed a job with Johnson Controls and has been in the field ever since.”
Interested in learning more?
Visit LincolnTech.com to explore campuses, programs, and available financial aid.
You can also schedule a campus tour or speak directly with admissions representatives at your nearest location.
Trade education is not a fallback plan — it’s a fast track to a meaningful, stable, and in-demand career.
As Lauren and Nicole emphasize, Lincoln Tech’s mission is simple: help students start, finish, and thrive.
“We’re not just building careers,” Lauren concludes. “We’re changing lives.”
