Learn how to earn your spot in Florida’s high-tech fast lane.

Florida is one of the biggest innovation hubs in America, generating opportunities that have local and global impact on manufacturing and production industries. If you are intrigued by technology, pursuing a career in manufacturing might be your ticket to success.

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	Zach Lance Engineering Technology, Aerospace Technology, Brevard Community College Zach Lance is a Brevard Community College student pursuing an associate’s degree to take advantage of great career opportunities in modern manufacturing.  Redesigning and remaking parts out of composite materials for lunar precursor missions at NASA “makes every part of every day exciting,” says Zach. “Being a part of a group of engineers and technicians, finding the best solution to a problem, and knowing I have the appropriate skill set to do so is very fulfilling.” The mathematics, science and engineering technology classes he has taken have given Zach a solid background and practical hands-on experience for what he does daily on the job.  With his work experience and community college education, Zach dreams of attending an engineering college and feels well prepared to meet future challenges.
	Christopher Heitman Construction Management, State College of Florida Christopher Heitman is a student at the State College of Florida in Bradenton/Sarasota/Venice, pursuing an associate’s degree with a specialization in Construction Management.  Chris has followed the growth of the engineering technology field for several years and is passionate about getting involved in the industry.  “I am excited to be a part of the technological advancements that will take place in the future and look forward to being an integral part of the renewable and sustainable energy initiatives that are taking shape,” says Chris.  Chris plans to use his education and experiences from industry to help him achieve his career goals.
	Luis Martinez Engineering and Technology, Digital Design and Modeling, State College of Florida Luis Martinez is a student at the State College of Florida in Bradenton/Sarasota/Venice, pursuing an associate’s degree with a specialization in Digital Design and Modeling.  Science and mathematics courses have always been among Luis’ favorite subjects which is why he is pursuing a career in engineering technology.  “I like that I am encouraged to be creative in my design and drafting classes”, says Luis.  I get excited to see what the future holds for the engineering technology arena and am thrilled to be a part of it”.  Luis currently works on fiber networks for a local phone company and knows his education will assist him in designing fiber networks in the future.
	Eugene Kilpatrick Engineering Technology, Hillsborough Community College “I was laid off in 2008 and I was looking for work and could not find any so I turned to Hillsborough Community College (HCC) to get some training and I found the Engineering Technology program”, says the student.  He was always curious of how things were made and wants to pursue a job in the engineering and manufacturing field once he graduates.  “The instructors that I had were very helpful and the classes and curriculum are current making the instruction relevant to today’s workforce.”  The student says, “I know this program will give me a better understanding of the manufacturing processes which will make my skills more competitive to find work in this arena”.
	Luke Seely Engineering Technology, Hillsborough Community College The interesting part of the engineering technology program is that it is “hands-on” and students really get to apply the knowledge that they have gained in the program.  “Some of the concepts learned while in the ET degree program classes are basic circuitry and programmable logic controller information which is really exciting, says the student.  My goal is to gain the skills necessary to work in a challenging atmosphere where I can apply the knowledge learned.  I got interested in engineering technology while in middle school where I was enrolled in an AutoCAD program.
	Germaine Lubinsky, St. Petersburg College, Technology Management Germaine likes to see a concept flourish from start to finish which is what enticed her to enroll in the Technology Management program at St. Petersburg College.  “I have not always liked STEM classes, but now that I have had a few, they are not so intimidating.  I enjoy meeting people from all over and thought that the instructors really made the classes interesting,”  says Germaine.  Germaine hopes that the Technology Management program will help her in her current work.
	Timothy Colon, College of Central Florida, Engineering Technology Timothy has always been fascinated with electronics and enjoys the ability to learn something new each day. “I’ve always been interested in developing solutions for certain problems and STEM subjects, to me, provide that same type of challenge.” Timothy feels that the Engineering Technology (ET) program has a lot to offer prospective students. The hands on training provided by some of his courses and how informative the instructors are have been favorite parts of the program for him, “With the hands on training, I learn a great deal; I feel the ET program will help guide me in the right direction to pursue my goal to work with electronics.”

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