Year Graduated: 2023
Program: Aviation Maintenance Technology
Degree Earned: Associate
Name of Employer: Alstom
Location of Employer: Denver International Airport
Job Title: Mechanic
Why did you select Spartan College and your program of study?:
I chose to attend Spartan College with the dream of becoming a pilot. At the time, I was excited about the prospect of flying, but as I moved through the training, I quickly realized that it would be a long, challenging process before I could actually get my pilot’s license. While I was determined to follow through with my goal, I also wanted to be involved in the aviation industry and start earning money in the meantime.
So, I decided to shift gears and pursue a career as an aircraft mechanic, hoping it would keep me connected to the industry I loved. But as I progressed through the program, something unexpected happened. I found myself falling in love with the mechanical side of aviation—working with the planes up close, understanding their systems, and solving problems that kept them flying safely.
That’s when I realized that this was my true passion. Becoming a mechanic wasn’t just a stepping stone for me anymore; it became my path forward in aviation. It was humbling to discover that what I thought would be a temporary detour actually turned out to be my calling.
How did Spartan College successfully prepare you for your career?:
Spartan College truly prepared me for my career by providing me with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to become a successful mechanic. Through the program, I gained hands-on experience using a wide variety of tools and equipment, learning not just how to operate them, but also the specific names and functions of each one. One of the most valuable lessons Spartan gave me was the ability to solve problems. Every day, I was challenged with figuring out how to troubleshoot issues, think critically, and apply the skills I had learned to fix real-world mechanical problems. However, what stands out the most is the confidence I gained throughout the program. Spartan gave me the belief that I could take something apart, understand how it worked, and put it back together. Spartan laid the groundwork for my career.
Please describe your career path and how you got to where you are today (Including degrees earned).:
Currently, I work as a mechanic for a global company that builds and operates automated people movers, like light rails, e-trains, and steel wheel trains. While it’s not directly related to aircraft, the work I do shares a lot of similarities with what I learned at Spartan. The tools we use, the skills required, and the safety standards we follow are very much in line with what we were taught at Spartan. Although it’s not aviation, the work is just as critical because we’re still dealing with the transportation of people. That means safety and efficiency are top priorities, similar to the standards set by the FAA in aviation. The tools we use, the skills required, and the safety standards we follow are very much in line with what we were taught at Spartan. A lot of my work involves troubleshooting and reading schematics to identify and solve problems, which keeps me engaged and constantly learning. It’s fulfilling to see the skills I gained in my training come to life in a completely different field, and I’m grateful to be part of an industry that’s shaping the future of transportation.
Program: Aviation Maintenance Technology
Degree Earned: Associate
Name of Employer: Alstom
Location of Employer: Denver International Airport
Job Title: Mechanic
Why did you select Spartan College and your program of study?:
I chose to attend Spartan College with the dream of becoming a pilot. At the time, I was excited about the prospect of flying, but as I moved through the training, I quickly realized that it would be a long, challenging process before I could actually get my pilot’s license. While I was determined to follow through with my goal, I also wanted to be involved in the aviation industry and start earning money in the meantime.
So, I decided to shift gears and pursue a career as an aircraft mechanic, hoping it would keep me connected to the industry I loved. But as I progressed through the program, something unexpected happened. I found myself falling in love with the mechanical side of aviation—working with the planes up close, understanding their systems, and solving problems that kept them flying safely.
That’s when I realized that this was my true passion. Becoming a mechanic wasn’t just a stepping stone for me anymore; it became my path forward in aviation. It was humbling to discover that what I thought would be a temporary detour actually turned out to be my calling.
How did Spartan College successfully prepare you for your career?:
Spartan College truly prepared me for my career by providing me with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to become a successful mechanic. Through the program, I gained hands-on experience using a wide variety of tools and equipment, learning not just how to operate them, but also the specific names and functions of each one. One of the most valuable lessons Spartan gave me was the ability to solve problems. Every day, I was challenged with figuring out how to troubleshoot issues, think critically, and apply the skills I had learned to fix real-world mechanical problems. However, what stands out the most is the confidence I gained throughout the program. Spartan gave me the belief that I could take something apart, understand how it worked, and put it back together. Spartan laid the groundwork for my career.
Please describe your career path and how you got to where you are today (Including degrees earned).:
Currently, I work as a mechanic for a global company that builds and operates automated people movers, like light rails, e-trains, and steel wheel trains. While it’s not directly related to aircraft, the work I do shares a lot of similarities with what I learned at Spartan. The tools we use, the skills required, and the safety standards we follow are very much in line with what we were taught at Spartan. Although it’s not aviation, the work is just as critical because we’re still dealing with the transportation of people. That means safety and efficiency are top priorities, similar to the standards set by the FAA in aviation. The tools we use, the skills required, and the safety standards we follow are very much in line with what we were taught at Spartan. A lot of my work involves troubleshooting and reading schematics to identify and solve problems, which keeps me engaged and constantly learning. It’s fulfilling to see the skills I gained in my training come to life in a completely different field, and I’m grateful to be part of an industry that’s shaping the future of transportation.