Harry Skipper
Michelin
Scholar
Midlands Technical College student: Fall 2006 to
Fall 2008
Major: Electronics Engineering Technology
High school: Ridge View High School, Class of 2002
Best thing about MTC: “You get opportunities to get on-the-job
training. And my teachers, they get to know you personally. They help people
get out in the workforce more quickly,” Harry said.
After Harry Skipper graduated from Ridge View High School in Columbia, SC, he enrolled at a four-year college. He stayed a few years, but when the tuition started to get a little too high, Harry decided to transfer to Midlands Technical College and study Electronics Engineering Technology.
Not long after he started at MTC, Harry heard about the Michelin Scholars program. The Michelin Scholars program provides full scholarships to select, qualified students in the Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) program at MTC, while providing them with high-quality training and a part-time job at the Michelin plant in Lexington, SC. After students complete the training program at Michelin, they have a chance to be considered for full-time jobs at the plant.
Harry applied to be a Michelin Scholar, passed the required aptitude tests, and then interviewed with plant officials. He was accepted into the program, and is now working part-time as a Mechanical Technician at Michelin.Working at Michelin gives Harry great hands-on experience that relates directly to what he learns in his EET classes, he said.
The EET program and the job at Michelin both fit in well with Harry’s interests and skills. Harry is very curious about all the technology around him. “I like to figure out how things work and how to fix things,” Harry said. “And I’ve always liked working with my hands.”
So far, the hardest part of the job at Michelin for Harry has been “learning how the programs and machines correlate together,” Harry said. But because Harry has a good propensity for mechanics and a willingness to learn, there haven’t been any tasks he couldn’t handle.
Harry’s advice to students interested in becoming Michelin Scholars is: “Just be hard working. Be determined to keep going.” Harry added, “If you have a chance at something like (the Michelin Scholars program), take it. If you don’t get the job there, you’ve got the experience – something to put on the resume.”
All job openings at Michelin North America are subject to shift and weekend work assignments. For more information, call Krista Lloyd-Jones at (803) 822-3232.
Michael Haga
Michelin
Scholar
Midlands Technical College Graduate, Summer 2007
Major: Electronics Engineering Technology
High school: Lexington High School, Class of 2003
Best thing about MTC: “It’s a good transition right out of high
school. For working adults, it’s one of the best things,” Michael said.
Michael Haga has met some challenges in his job as a Mechanical Technician at Michelin, but there have been none that he couldn’t face. For Michael and others like him who have good mechanical aptitude, the work is very fulfilling.
Michael is one of the Midlands Technical College Michelin Scholars. With the Michelin Scholars program, Michelin provides full scholarships to select, qualified students in the Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) program at MTC, while providing them with high-quality training and a part-time job at the Michelin plant in Lexington, SC. To be eligible for the program, students must pass a required aptitude test and interview with plant officials.
After students complete the training program at Michelin, they have a chance to be considered for full-time jobs at the plant. Michael completed his training program in June 2007, passed a final assessment test, and was then offered a full-time position at the plant.
At Michelin, Michael does numerous things such as bench work, fixing pistons and troubleshooting.
Many of Michael’s EET courses have helped him with these tasks. Industrial
Electronics and Programmable Controllers have been especially helpful, he said.
But there are other things that cannot easily be learned in a classroom, such as specific methods the Michelin factory uses. This type of on-the-job training is an essential element in preparing for these types of jobs.
“Some of the bench work (at Michelin) requires soldering, which is not taught in the EET program. But after a few days, I figured it out,” Michael said.
Michael said the best thing about working for Michelin is “it’s always different. You do one thing one day and a totally different thing the next.” He added, “It’s been a great learning experience.”
Michael’s advice to students interested in becoming Michelin Scholars is: “You’ve got to be easygoing…As long as you don’t have a chip on your shoulder, you’ll be fine. You also have to be willing to work and get dirty, and you have to be willing to learn.”
All job openings at Michelin North America are subject to shift and weekend work assignments. For more information, call Krista Lloyd-Jones at (803) 822-3232.