“My proudest moments while in college were being able to apply my education by giving back to my school. I repaired electronic boards in the school welders. I rebuilt the hydraulic system for the school’s snow plow. I was also able to help many of my classmates learn the course material along the way.” Along with determination, Patrick Reagin credits the solid educational foundation from his parents, excellent instructors, and an educational program that prepares highly skilled technicians for work in the manufacturing industries (AMTEC) for his successful career.
As a high school student, Patrick was homeschooled. He commends his parents for adapting their teaching approach to his learning style and for helping him navigate his learning disability. With a problem solving approach, Patrick was able to be hands-on with his learning and rise above his disability. Their method of applied learning was key as he began to entertain opportunities to enhance his future.
As many young adults, Patrick was not sure the direction he wanted to take his career. Was college right for him? Would his learning disability hold him back? Should he just stay in his entry-level position in hopes of moving up? These questions lingered as he was working at a machining facility as a machinist. At the time, he wasn’t seriously considering college. One day a superior approached Patrick about going to school and moving into the maintenance field. After hearing him out, Patrick decided it fit his interest perfectly and would allow him the opportunity to be challenged daily. That’s when Patrick made the life-changing decision to enroll into the Industrial Maintenance Technician program at Somerset Community College.
As an Industrial Maintenance student at Somerset, Patrick was exposed to AMTEC. Patrick credits the curricula and assessment tools with allowing him to apply what he learned in the AMTEC modules and from his instructors. “My confidence increased each time I completed a module,” Patrick admits.
As a student, Patrick was graced with the presence of excellent instructors. Butch Tincher and Nick Tomlinson are stand-outs for him as he looks back on his educational journey, “They strive to make sure all of their students are equipped with the tools they will need in their careers.” Tomlinson was his first mentor. His encouragement early on gave Patrick the confidence that helped shape his college career. Tincher forced Patrick to think outside the box and challenged him to be able to back up his answers. This helped to sharpen Patrick’s critical thinking and reasoning skills. Patrick counts himself lucky to now call both of these men his friends and is thankful for the foundation they provided him.
As Patrick reflects on how the Industrial Maintenance program and AMTEC curricula have enhanced his skills, he is proud of the many things he has accomplished. The AMTEC modules and program objectives helped to sharpen his time management, problem solving, and communication skills. More importantly, he learned to never let anything hold him back, “I think people are capable of more than they realize. I had many challenges that could have kept me from succeeding, but I set my mind and stayed focused on my goals every day”. He hopes his story can inspire others to dismiss their doubts, set goals, stay focused, and utilize all the resources they can, “If you’re not afraid to work for it, you can achieve your goals”.