Jason’s DPET Discovery

If you’d asked Jason at age 18 what he wanted to do for a career, “tractor service technician” would not have been his answer. Growing up on his family’s farm, he always knew he wanted a career in agriculture, but he also wanted to expand his options. A 4-H small engines workshop sparked his interest in mechanics, opening new doors.

After touring ICC and another college, Jason knew the DPET program at ICC was the best fit for his needs. Not only did it align with his goals, but it also came with a scholarship and an internship at Heritage Tractor, a John Deere Dealership. Both the program and internship solidified his decision, and today, Jason has spent over 15 successful years at Heritage Tractor (formerly Prairie State Tractor).

Come tour the programs, meet the instructors, get an idea of what the different fields are like, and ask questions. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better DPET program than the one at ICC.

Jason, ICC Student

Starting with no prior mechanical experience, Jason faced a significant learning curve. Thankfully, professors Jeff Gardner and Mike Daugherty made the journey manageable. Their expertise, combined with personalized teaching methods, helped Jason gain the skills and confidence he needed to succeed.

Initially, Jason saw the DPET program as a way to acquire practical skills to maintain his farm equipment. However, the program and his internship revealed a much broader potential. Jason realized his DPET education could do much more for him, and he now expects it to carry him through the rest of his career.

Today, Jason balances his role at Heritage Tractor, working about 50 hours a week, with running his family farm and volunteering in his community. He credits his employer for supporting his commitments, but Heritage Tractor sees it differently. Recognizing Jason’s dedication and talent, they nominated him for the 2023 John Deere Technician of the Year award. Jason earned the title of Territory Champion, a testament to his hard work and expertise.

Jason credits much of his success to ICC and encourages others to follow in his footsteps.