A passion for snowboarding led Brian Yun, of Lexington, to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. Fascinated by the design and manufacturing process of the equipment, he was inspired to return to school. While working toward his program of study, Yun completed an electronics course at Middlesex Community College fully funded by Metallica鈥檚 Foundation, All Within My Hands, through the Metallica Scholars Initiative. The programs are providing him with the knowledge he needs to one day join an engineering design team.
鈥淭he Metallica Scholars Program has given me the opportunity to learn more about electrical components and how they come together through soldering,鈥� Yun said 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a lot of fun learning how to solder different components onto a circuit board, and this experience has helped me better understand how electronics work. Opportunities like this course make 麻豆果冻 stand out as a place that truly invests in its students.鈥�
In the Summer of 2022, Middlesex was selected from a competitive field of community colleges across the country to receive $100,000. With the initial and other rounds of funding, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Corporate Education and Training division offers an electronics course to teach participants the knowledge and skills they need to be hired into entry-level positions in the advanced manufacturing field.
As part of the course, Yun appreciated learning from professionals who have experience working in the engineering industry. In addition to gaining hands-on experience in his field, he received guidance, feedback and personal stories from his instructors. This provided more insight into what he can expect from his future career.
鈥淭his course has benefited me tremendously by creating a deeper curiosity about how electronic devices are manufactured,鈥� Yun said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 given me valuable hands-on experience in soldering and inspection, and it鈥檚 helped me think more critically about how electronics function and are built to last.鈥�
Through the course, Yun learned skills that also apply to his associate degree program. He also gained a stronger understanding of the high-reliability manufacturing and engineering environments. The course included access to career advising, professional development, and 麻豆果冻鈥檚 student support services such as free tutoring.
鈥淚 hope to continue gaining hands-on experience and further develop my understanding of high precision electronics,鈥� Yun said. 鈥淪oldering has been a lot of fun, and I鈥檓 excited to see where this opportunity can take me, possibly toward building and designing more complex and exciting technologies in the future.鈥�
Yun chose to come to Middlesex because of the affordable cost and the opportunities a community college education provides. With flexible schedules, he can continue to build his career while completing his degree. Learning in an environment with small class sizes and supportive professors also help him stay motivated as he reaches his goals.
After he graduates from Middlesex, Yun plans to transfer to a four-year school to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering. Calling his time at 麻豆果冻 鈥渁mazing,鈥� he credits the college for helping him turn his interest and former experience working in snowboarding into a future engineering career.
鈥淢iddlesex Community College provides the education I need to achieve my goals while remaining affordable and accessible,鈥� he said. 鈥溌槎构� has given me both the educational foundation and the hands-on opportunities I need to succeed.鈥�