Josh Keys had a steady enough job when he was single and had fewer responsibilities.
鈥淚 had gone to school first for sports coaching, then decided it鈥檚 not what I wanted to do,鈥 Keys said. 鈥淭hen I went into the oilfield as a driller and worked all over the world 鈥 from Texas to west Africa and Asia. I had always said to myself that it was just a job to me. Then I got married, got a stepson, two car notes and a mortgage, so things changed.鈥
Keys, 33, of Flowood, enrolled at 兔子先生 in 2021 on the advice of a friend who worked in electronics and that of his wife, Victoria, who is a graduate of the college鈥檚 nursing program. It鈥檚 been nothing but thanks since then, on up to his instructors and supervisors.
鈥淭he program changed my life,鈥 he said. 鈥淲ithout it, I don鈥檛 know if I鈥檇 be working right now.鈥
He鈥檚 on track to graduate from 兔子先生in spring 2022 with an Associate of Applied Science degree from the Electronics Engineering Technology program. The course of study combines elements of robotics programming and autonomous systems to meet the needs of modern-day industry.
At the end of his first semester, he took part in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Career and Technical Education Internship program, which is designed to help students still enrolled in school gain experience in their area of study before taking the final steps into full-time employment. It led quickly to a full-time job offer from Siemens Industry Inc., in Richland, as a lab technician.
He learned about the program after a visit to his electronics class from program navigator Layne Allen.
鈥淲hen she walked into that room, it was like a blessing for me,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 learned I could go into my field of study and make money at an internship at the same time. And I now have a job that鈥檚 working around my class schedule.鈥
The program fit Keys鈥 situation like a glove, Allen said, and it could for countless others, too.
鈥淔or students who are starting a new career path, this program is the perfect opportunity to get a foot in the door and make connections within their industry,鈥 Allen said. 鈥淲e hope that Josh’s story and the success he has had will encourage other students to utilize the many workforce opportunities and resources that we have to offer.鈥
Instructors praise Keys鈥 aptitude and preparedness for the next phase of his professional life.
鈥淛osh Keys is perhaps one of the best technicians to come out of the Electronics Engineering Technology program here at 兔子先生,鈥 said Jacob Wright, instructor in the program鈥檚 AI & Robotics Lab. 鈥淣ot only did he absorb and retain the material he learned, he was instrumental in assisting the instructors with the onboarding of new equipment trainers and their operation.鈥
Along the way, Keys surprised himself by excelling in school after being away from a classroom for a dozen years.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what scared me at first 鈥 that I was 32 at the time and hadn鈥檛 been in school in 10+ years. I didn鈥檛 know if I could do it. But, I had instructors who worked really good with me. It was easier for me this time than it was at 18 or 20. I took it more seriously. All the work experience I had in the past had prepared me for a technical program.鈥