Rosalie Baxter
Background
After working as a stay-at-home mom for ten years, Rosalie Baxter found herself
in the position of needing to go back to work. She held degrees in Fine Arts
and Education and had also worked as a welder in the shipyards but those fields
had very few openings at the time. A new career was in order. Baxter felt the
HVAC
field held exciting possibilities because she was interested in the concept
of comfort control and she would be able to apply some of her previously
acquired skills.
At School
Baxter consulted the Women In Technologies program at NSCC to explore her options. Together they determined that she enroll in the HVAC program. Having a substantial background in English and Humanities, she was able to concentrate on technical math, physics and the HVAC course content. She found the two year program to be challenging and interesting.
After the Program
Baxter began an internship at Horizon Heating Inc. where she replaced another former NSCC student. In her position as Commercial Estimator she found everything that she had learned in school to be useful. Her responsibility is to help expand the commercial department.
And Now
Baxter relies on a team effort to accomplish the job. As a commercial estimator she must find projects to estimate and bid. When successful she then must coordinate ordering and delivery of materials with the field supervisor. Horizon Heating did both design/build and plan/spec jobs. Baxter must be thorough and organized because even a small mistake or an overlooked detail can be costly. Ms. Baxter later was hired by McKinstry Company.
Advice
A valuable tool for anyone interested in this field is stress management skills. Although she must handle a hectic schedule, Baxter enjoys the variety and fast pace that her work offers. Her current goal is to absorb the infinite elements that combine in different configurations to make each project unique.
Dano Marith
Background
Mr. Dano Marith graduated from Seattle University
with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree in 1992. With
technical experience as a pipe-fitter's assistant and a new degree, he was
looking forward to a career in the engineering field. While supporting himself
for three years working as a waiter and assistant manager of a restaurant,
Mr. Marith looked for an opportunity to use his mechanical engineering skills.
Having no luck in this pursuit, he returned to school to update his AutoCAD skills.
At School
Marith intended to enroll in only one class pertaining to his field, but discovered that his degree in mechanical engineering allowed him to enter NSCC's HVAC program as a second year student. One year of working with the excellent lab resources and hands-on experience gave him confidence in his skills. Doing the same work in class that is required on the job was the most beneficial aspect of the program for Mr. Marith.
After the Program
While still engaged in his one year of study, Marith began working as a Coop-Ed student with Parsley Engineering, Inc. The Coop-Ed job allowed him to achieve a smooth transition between the classroom and employment. Upon completion of the program he received several other offers but chose to remain with Parsley and began working full-time for them.
And Now
Mr. Marith works on projects such as designing mechanical systems for Boston Scientific Corporation and the new Grayline Bus facility. His work does not end with the engineering. He is also responsible for project management and coordination from the beginning of the project through the completion of construction. The most challenging aspect of his work is that there is much to be done, and it always has to be now. While he feels that he is still learning the intricacies of the trade, he is excited about his future. His current goal is to become a project manager. In this progressive field, he knows that further education will always be necessary, and he plans on returning to NSCC. Mr. Marith later was hired by a contract engineering firm.
Advice
As someone who already held a BSME before entering the HVAC program, Mr. Marith knows how valuable applied knowledge is. He feels that this is what will give an individual the necessary competitive edge. He recommends this program for anyone who has an interest in math and science and enjoys the technical applications of knowledge.
Michael Macfadden
Owner, Ravenna Refrigeration
Background
Mr. Macfadden has many years of experience in the construction industry. After
working nine years for a door manufacturing company in Everett, he found
himself wanting to do something different. His aim was to find a career which
would require little investment in tools and which would also allow him light
travel. While taking courses at
NSCC, he was referred
by instructors to the
HVAC
program. Knowing that these skills are in world-wide demand, he decided to enroll.
At School
As a student at NSCC, Mr. Macfadden realized that his work would require him to always be looking at the big picture. From the beginning of a concept through the design and installation, there are many steps to manage. Macfadden was personally inspired to meet the challenge and to learn how to create the energy efficient systems which are so vital in today's world. He finished his course work in six quarters and was ready to begin work.
After the Program
The Hussmann Corporation, a world leader in this market, hired Mr. Macfadden when he finished the program at NSCC. He had several offers to select from and has now been with this company for over ten years. Several other graduates from the program are also employed by Hussmann. In this region Hussmann has clients such as Costco, Safeway, and Associated Grocers. Mr. Macfadden notes that even if businesses are not investing in new construction, remodeling work is always necessary.
And Now
After several years with Hussman, Macfadden started his own consulting business specializing in refrigeration system design for a variety of commercial applications. His next plan is to become a registered Professional Engineer, which means he will be returning to North Seattle Community College for more classes.
Advice
Macfadden is satisfied with his decision to attend this program and thanks NSCC for helping to facilitate his success. He feels that anyone interested in this career can also find what they need to get started through this program.
Mark Grant
Sales Engineer, United Systems, Inc.
Background
After high school, Mr. Grant continued his education in college for one year
while also doing heavy construction as an iron worker. He operated his own
business for six years but had to seek an alternative career which would not
require him to work with heavy materials. As a well-paid, established
professional in his field, Grant needed a quick transition with parallel earnings.
At School
He enrolled for one quarter of general education classes to update his skills prior to entering the HVAC program. In Psychology 101 he gained valuable learning techniques which helped him to assimilate the vast amounts of information presented in the HVAC program. Physics was the toughest part of the program for Mr. Grant, but when he graduated he was confident that he had learned the tricks.
After the Program
Sales were not a part of Grant's resume when he began the program, but he found that he had a talent for working with people. Due to his thorough training in HVAC, he was able to communicate technicalities to prospective clients. This helped the customers to feel comfortable and secure with the services that Mr. Grant was representing, which in turn propelled his sales career.
And Now
He enjoys meeting new people daily and being able to solve their problems. As a Sales Engineer he is required to make one cold call per day. There are twenty-five field employees within his company and he is personally responsible for bidding approximately ten jobs each week. Grant has a personal goal of reaching one million dollars a year in sales. It is typical for him to sell and manage 48 projects a year. When the contract is signed, Mr. Grant's job is still not finished. He works on drawings, obtains permits and answers questions about ongoing projects.
Advice
Mark Grant enjoys the challenge, variety and ongoing opportunity afforded by his occupation. Among his colleagues, NSCC has the best known program in the greater Puget Sound region. He recommends this program to anyone with an interest in how things work.
Mangala Lonkar
Design Engineer, The Boeing Company
Background
When Ms. Lonkar moved to the U.S. from India
she had ten years of experience as a mechanical engineer working with centrifugal
pump systems. She was ready for a change and sought a career which could build
upon her current skills. While looking for a new professional focus, Lonkar
had to consider her family responsibilities. She could not invest several
years in retraining while raising children.
At School
Lonkar was working temporary jobs when she learned of NSCC through a friend and business associate. Having a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree allowed her to complete the HVAC program in one year, an important benefit. She appreciates the instructor's patience and feels that the extra time spent explaining trouble spots to students makes it possible to complete the challenging curriculum. Studying software for almost an entire quarter seemed excessive, until she began work. One of her first tasks on the job required the use of computer skills that she had learned in the program. Her employer was immediately impressed, and she felt confident in her ability to do good work.
After the Program
Like many other students, Lonkar began working with a company before she was finished with the program. At the Greenbusch Group, she was immediately asked to perform the functions she was studying. She says that thanks to her instructors' many years of experience she was ready with the right knowledge.
And Now
Ms. Lonkar worked with Greenbusch Group for one-and-a-half years and then was hired by The Boeing Company. Ms. Lonkar manages a team of vibration and acoustic technicians analyzing in-flight performance of aircraft. The thorough technical training in school has given her confidence in working with many groups of people, like architects and other engineers who all communicate in a technical language. Fluency in English is not a limiting factor in her success. She has now achieved her latest goal and obtained her Professional Engineer license.
Advice
Mangala Lonkar says that it is impossible to be totally prepared for this field, due to the many aspects that one could choose to focus on. However, every student from NSCC will have the necessary framework to build on. She says that if a student is prepared to exercise patience that their efforts will be matched by the strict and helpful instruction.
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