Accelerating my Career
Creation Date: 06/30/2022
Before becoming a Project Hire-Ed apprentice, I had been taking general education courses at the College of DuPage and was considering a degree in social media marketing. I changed my mind when I realized that automation in manufacturing was a secure career with a lot of opportunities. My father had always worked with his hands, and I knew that I wanted a career where I would always be needed. A career in electromechanical technology and mechatronics sounded like the right path for me.
I came across Project Hire-Ed while taking classes in my field, and found out that I could start getting career experience right away. I applied and got matched very quickly with M&R Print, my employer. I was able to start a new job getting experience while continuing to take classes. They are also paying my tuition and fees, which is a big plus.
The classes and the faculty are great. I am taking classes in the lab, working on machines in small groups, which is a great way to learn teamwork. The instructors let us work on our own and find solutions, and they step in when we need suggestions or guidance. It’s a great way to learn how to (and how not to) do things on these machines. You really learn as you go and use the experience at work at the same time. It’s a great model.
Project Hire-Ed has been really good at communicating with me throughout my experience. They let me know what I need to be looking out for next, keeping on top of my coursework so I can graduate quickly. I am about to finish my Applied Technology certificate and am also continuing my schooling to earn a certificate in Programmable Logic Controllers as well as my associate’s degree in Electro-Mechanical Technology.
For anyone curious about this program, I highly recommend it for people wanting an early hands-on experience. Make sure to research companies before meeting them. Make sure it’s the move you want to make. No matter what, a Project Hire-Ed apprenticeship is a great experience that’s really worth it.