Aretha Murphy (left) and Geri Neal work together as engineering technicians; their friendship began in classes at Lawson State Community College.

Aretha Murphy and Geri Neal became friends during the final months of the industrial electronics program at Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama. This fall they completed their first year as colleagues at Power Grid Engineering, LLC, where they work as full-time electrical engineering technicians.

"These two really stand out," said Nancy Wilson, chair of the Engineering and Manufacturing Technology Division at Lawson State in Birmingham, Alabama. Wilson is a senior team member of the Consortium for Alabama Regional Center for Automotive Manufacturing (CARCAM), the ATE center based at Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, Alabama.

Lawson State uses CARCAM's curriculum for advanced technology degree programs that incorporate multiple crafts like electrical, electronics, welding, and machine tooling for manufacturers. Students have the option of taking more courses in a particular craft depending on their interests. Lawson State and CARCAM's partner colleges also use the outreach program CARCAM developed to attract, enroll, and graduate diverse populations for manufacturing careers.

Non-traditional Students Excel

Murphy and Neal both entered Lawson State as mid-career students interested in electrical technology and electrical careers. Murphy hoped to pursue this career when she graduated from high school. "I was always good with my hands ... this type of work always excited me," she explained during a phone interview. Marriage and motherhood, however, delayed this dream. She worked as a manicurist while rearing four sons with her husband of 25 years.

Neal was a self-employed beautician who was encouraged to enroll in Lawson State by her aunt, Ann Peeples, a dental instructor at the college.

Wilson remembers meeting both women and seeing their determination in her classes. "They were just adamant that they were going to do what they needed to," Wilson said in a phone interview.

Murphy and Neal both appreciate Wilson's teaching and mentoring.

"I love Miss Wilson. She is the greatest instructor. When I got there she was my advisor ... she took me in like I was one of the kids," Murphy said.

Murphy explained that Wilson's efforts to prepare students thoroughly for a variety of workplaces began with safety and emphasized basic work ethics like showing up on time for class. When she was initially struggling with math, Murphy said Wilson pushed her to learn from her wrong answers and not give up.

"Miss Wilson, she is a driver. I mean I learned with Miss Wilson," said Murphy, who graduated with cum laude honors in 2012. Wilson worked in industry before she was hired as instructor at Lawson State, which she attended when it was known as Bessemer Tech.

“Nancy [Wilson] was very helpful at teaching real-world lessons for the workforce,” Neal stated in a college press release. "I was also challenged by my instructors to do my best. Mr. Raymond was the most difficult instructor I’ve ever had and also the best,” she added, referring to Rich Raymond, an electronics instructor.

College Instructor Connects Graduates with Employer

Wilson played a key role in their employment after graduation. She sent their resumes and another Lawson State student's information to Edward Powell, director of Engineering for the Power Grid's Birmingham office, the first time he contacted the college in 2012. Murphy and Neal did not know when the interviewed with Power Grid that there was only one opening for an engineering technician.

Ultimately, it did not matter that the friends were competing for the same job. Powell said he was so impressed with both women's knowledge of electrical design concepts and logic controls as well as their enthusiasm for electrical work that he hired both of them.

Murphy immediately began work as an engineering technician and he offered Neal a drafting job until another technician position opened a few months later. In fall 2013, when the company had another technician opening Powell called back the third Lawson State graduate, Eric Dabney, who he interviewed in 2012. Dabney has just completed two months of employment at Power Grid.

Their work as electrical engineering technicians involves updating information about electric utility substations in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas. About 10% of the time they work at substations. After site visits they return to their Birmingham office to update designs for breakers, relays, and controls that other people install.

Employer Calls Preparation of Entry-level Technicians "Excellent"

Powell said Lawson State's program is "excellent" at preparing technicians with the basics that the company builds on with its in-house training. "All of them came with an eagerness to learn," he said.

While he was initially looking for people with experience in electrical technology, Powell said the fact the three Lawson State graduates "went back to school and got through a tough curriculum" provided persuasive evidence of their knowledge and work ethics.

"If you get through it and you got decent grades, that says a whole lot about you," Powell said.

Power Grid plans to continue to expand in Birmingham, where its office has grown from three employees to 20 in two years. Based on the company's positive experience with the three Lawson State graduates, Powell will likely ask college personnel for recommendations when there are more openings for technicians.

He's also aware that Murphy, Neal, and Dabney hope to use the company's tuition reimbursement program to obtain bachelor's degrees. Powell said, "I encourage that. I don't want them to stop there [with associate degrees]. I want them to continue their education as far as they can go."