ATE Student Success Stories
ATE Student Success Story Videos highlight the struggles and triumphs of a diverse set of students in community and technical college settings. With support and guidance from ATE centers and projects, their lives and careers have been changed for the better. Each video documents a unique success story, but all of them have a common theme: technician training has the power to change lives.
Series Three
Elias's StoryMiami, FloridaElias always knew he wanted to pursue an academic path like his mother. Though he initially considered medicine, the cybersecurity program at Miami Dade College made him change his mind. Since, Elias has earned six certifications and a job with Amazon.
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Emily's StoryBentonville, ArkansasEmily was seeking a means of channeling her interest in art, design, and construction into a career when she found Northwest Arkansas Community College's Integrated Design program. The program helped Emily get out of her comfort zone and find a job in fabrication, finally feeling like she's doing something she genuinely enjoys.
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Sam's StoryRiverton, WyomingThanks to a happenstance meeting, Sam was connected with Central Wyoming College and its geospatial information systems and technologies (GIST) program. His love for the outdoors and vast outdoor experience made him the perfect student to help fill gaps in climate data. Sam notes that “after drifting and not really knowing where I was aiming, I feel like I've found what I want to do with my life".
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Seethal's StoryBlue Bell, PennsylvaniaSeethal had studied STEM at university in her home country of India, but knew she'd need to study again if she wanted to reenter the workforce after a 15-year gap. Initially nervous to be taking classes in a new country, Seethal quickly developed her self-confidence alongside her new skills in biotechnology and biomanufacturing.
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Zachary's StoryFort Pierce, FloridaZachary always had a love for anything he could take apart and put back together, and sought out Engineering options after serving in the military. After attending the LASER-TEC program at Indian River State College, Zach feels he's been set up for success, confident that he \“can walk into any photonics or laser company and get hired on the spot\”.
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Series Two
Amanda's StoryRochester, New YorkAs the child of a programmer, Amanda was introduced to coding very early. She knew she wanted to use technology to make changes in the world. At the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, she gained the skills and confidence she needed to do just that, and earn an internship with Microsoft.
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Danial's StoryCorpus Christi, TexasDanial had been pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Biology, but classes were never as exciting as he'd hoped, craving a more hands-on and personal experience. It was pure coincidence that brought he and Del Mar College's biotechnology program together, but it changed his life in ways he couldn't have imagined.
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James and Mikhail's StorySan Luis Obispo, CaliforniaBrothers James and Mikhail were both seeking something new when their mother recommended the Engineering program at Cuesta College. Twenty years later, James and Mikhail revisit campus and their instructors, and discuss how the program helped them each find their place and their passion.
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Paula's StoryPasadena, CaliforniaPaula struggled to find a subject that interested her, and was unsure about taking on debt to attend a large university to study something she didn't have passion for. But through her college's nanotechnology program, Paula was introduced to a field of research that finally gave her a sense of wonder and excitement.
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Series One
Anthony's StoryNew York, New YorkAnthony Francis returned to New York for school after spending his childhood on the small Caribbean island of St. Lucia. See how collaborative projects, rich mentoring, and skillful networking helped Anthony secure a job in Mechatronics- a top 10 emergent technology.
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Christina's StoryTexas City, TexasIn Texas City, Texas, Christina Smith is going back to school to study process technology at College of the Mainland. Learn more about Christina's new career path, her success in providing for her young daughter, and the role of ATE in helping her move forward.
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Dan's StoryLakewood, ColoradoDaniel Burman had a successful career in real estate but was never happy. That all changed when he returned to school to study solar photovoltaics. He's now working in the alternative energy field with a local business and is not only making a good living, but also feeling excited about his job and career choice.
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Gerald's StoryHaverhill, MassachusettsGerald Kinyua moved from his homeland of Kenya hoping to get an education and explore a new career in Chemistry. At first he found it difficult to negotiate the education system in a new country, until he connected with Northern Essex Community College. Now he feels right at home in his program and is ready to look for employment in his chosen field.
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Josiah's StoryWaterbury, ConnecticutJosiah Roberts successfully completed a two-year program at Naugatuck Valley Community College and is now transferring into a four-year Mechanical Engineering degree program at a local university. The ATE collaborative wheelchair project he worked on during his time at Naugatuck helped convince him that Engineering was the field for him.
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Kristen's StorySpringfield, OhioKristen Edwards thought she wanted to be a Math Education major until a Computer Science class changed the course of her career. After more coursework, and an ATE sponsored internship with a local business, she's discovered a new passion and a new path.
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Llew's StoryBoston, MassachusettsLlew Powell worked at a succession of unsatisfying jobs, but he knew he liked problem solving and fixing things. Those skills have come in handy since he started his program at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology working on hybrid vehicles; now he feels more engaged in his day-to-day work and prepared for a career in the automotive industry.
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Matt's StoryFall River, MassachusettsMatthew Davis thought he knew what he wanted to do after high school, but decided to expand his career options after a year of working as a residential electrician. Discover his new educational focus, learn about underwater autonomous vehicles, and see how ATE helped Mathew secure a career more suited to his interests.
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Su's StorySan Marcos, CaliforniaSu Coy is studying GIS through Palomar College's ATE project and loving it. She never thought much about education as a young woman, and had some struggles along the way, but now she knows she is on the right path with GIS and is excited about her professional and personal victories.
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Wesley's StoryEnfield, ConnecticutWesley Hipolito was introduced to machining technology through the College Connection Program at Asnuntuk Community College. Now, after more coursework, an ATE sponsored internship, and a seamless transition into the workforce he has established himself as an integral part of the future of Aerospace.
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These videos are available for download and use under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA) license. For commercial or other use not covered under the terms of this license, please contact [email protected]. |