Just eight miles from Canadian Valley Technology Center’s Chickasha campus, DeeDee Mayes grew up seeing firsthand the value of career training close to home.

Her respect for CV Tech deepened when her son successfully completed a program there. But two summers ago, Mayes decided it was her turn.

At 41, the Verden resident made a bold career pivot, enrolling in CV Tech’s Digital Media Technology program as an adult student in pursuit of new creative possibilities. Attending half-day classes, Mayes joined the roughly 26 percent of CV Tech students who are adults returning to sharpen skills, chase new goals and redefine what is possible.

The transition was fairly seamless, she admits.

“I’ve always been creative, and now I have the tools to bring life to my ideas,” said Mayes, who participated in CV Tech’s completion ceremony on May 6 at Chickasha High School’s gymnasium. “CV Tech gave me the tools, mentorship and the confidence to actually succeed in this field. I received hands-on training with industry standard equipment, taught by an amazing instructor who invested time, patience and faith in me.”

That investment paid off before graduation day even arrived.

Mayes secured employment with Candid Color Photography, the Oklahoma City company known for capturing school, sports, graduation and major event memories for more than 50 years. Many Oklahomans also know the company through its event photography brand, Party Pics.

She entered the workforce not just with creativity, but with practical, career-ready experience.

Through CV Tech’s Digital Media program, Mayes built skills in video production, photography, advertising and digital marketing while training extensively with industry-recognized software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Premiere Pro.

For Mayes, however, the biggest lesson extended beyond software.

“My biggest takeaway is that digital media is always evolving,” she said. “Learning how to think creatively and adapt to new tools and workflows has been huge. That mindset is something I’ll carry into every project I take on.”

Her story reflects a growing reality for adult learners that career reinvention is possible with the right training, support and willingness to begin.

Now working in a fast-paced creative industry, Mayes hopes her journey encourages others who may be considering their own next step.

“CV Tech’s gives you the skills, the guidance and the confidence to build something real,” she said. “It’s the place where you stop doubting yourself and start becoming the person you want to be.”

And for Mayes, this new chapter may only be the beginning. Looking ahead, she hopes to one day channel her expanded skills, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into building a multimedia company of her own.