Machining Apprenticeship Manufactures Career Path for Jesus
After graduating high school, Jesus started his career at Liberty Steel with a clear plan: work hard, save money, and eventually study mechanical engineering. A year into his job, he saw an ad for the Machine Tool Technology Apprenticeship program at ICC. Realizing this was a chance to advance toward his dream, he applied, hoping to get valuable hands-on experience along the way.
Since joining the program, Jesus has gained far more than he expected. The apprenticeship provides professional training at no cost, a steady income to save for his future, and practical skills he can directly apply to his dream of becoming a mechanical engineer. Additionally, some of his coursework overlaps with the Engineering program at ICC, giving him a head start on his associate degree.
ICC is getting me to where I want to be. Everything I’m learning in this apprenticeship is making my goal of becoming a mechanical engineer for Liberty Steel feel more achievable.
Jesus, ICC Student
As a non-native English speaker, Jesus sometimes struggles with technical terminology. His CNC professor, Tim Poelker, has been a source of support, breaking down complex concepts into simpler terms, making them easier to understand.
His machine trades professor, Dominic Eads, has also been instrumental in his journey by teaching him to safely operate multiple machines and troubleshoot issues, while connecting design and manufacturing processes to mechanical engineering principles. “The teachers at ICC are supportive and genuinely care about our success. We’re not just another face in the classroom to them,” Jesus explains.
Every day, the apprenticeship brings Jesus closer to his dream of becoming a mechanical engineer at Liberty Steel. He says, “ICC is preparing us for better careers by giving us real-life work experience beyond the classroom, so we’re ready to join the workforce.”
Jesus is grateful for the solid foundation his apprenticeship provided. His journey at ICC is setting him on a path he once only imagined, and he’s eager to see where it leads next.