NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)
Date: February 5, 2007
James McNutt, 759-7141, mike.mcnutt@kctcs.edu
MCTC Pre-Engineering: Completing first two years before transferring, a winning combination
Craig Mastin
Temple Inland
Electrical engineering is both an enjoyable and challenging field. I attended Maysville Community College from 1990-1992 where I received an Associate in Science degree with an emphasis in pre-engineering. The small classes and excellent instruction allowed me to learn basic engineering knowledge (calculus, chemistry, and physics) that I used later at the University of Kentucky. After transferring to UK and talking to other engineering students about these basic engineering prerequisite courses, I'm convinced I would have not only struggled in those classes at UK because of the lack of individual attention, but also would have been less prepared for the advanced engineering courses that followed.
I graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. I was unsuccessful at finding a job locally at the time so I accepted a position as a Systems Engineer at Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry-dock Company in Newport News, Virginia. Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) is the only manufacturer of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for the United States Navy. At the shipyard, I designed and developed Combat Systems (RADAR, Radio, Sonar, Computer, and Weapon) for aircraft carriers.
I had moved my wife and infant son 550 miles away from "mother dearest" to design power systems on aircraft carriers. My first day on the job was interesting, to say the least. As I sat at my desk, I looked up and saw a sign that said "RADAR Section." After confirming that I was in fact hired as a combat systems engineer instead of a power engineer as I had thought, I sank in my chair. As I sat there reconciling this startling news, I wondered if the best job I would ever get back home would be working on Channel 9's Doppler RADAR. However, it turned out much differently. As a new graduate not having much work experience at that point, I had included the experience I received growing up on the family farm to my resume. Interestingly, my boss at the time had also grown up on a family farm in rural Illinois, and I later learned he had hired me as a Systems Engineer simply because he knew I would "work". As a Systems Engineer, I was responsible for all aspects of the system design (not just power design) including interior communications, hull, piping, power, lighting, ventilation, machinery, composites, wire-ways, switchboards, and testing. The work I did there was an education in and of itself.
Part of my job at NNS also included research and development. I was the lead R&D Engineer for the RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) System, and the Aegis three-dimensional phased array RADAR system on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) aircraft carrier. In addition, I was appointed as the GFTI (Government Furnished Technical Information) Liaison for the shipyard. In this position, I chaired quarterly meetings in Washington, D.C. with the Atlantic Naval Sea Command (NAVSEA). As such, I worked with several very influential people on a weekly basis, some of whom were the ship's captain, VP of Engineering, and the head of NAVSEA (the guy with the six billion dollar checkbook). It costs six billion dollars and takes seven years to design and build a nuclear aircraft carrier. The meeting I chaired would generate changes (i.e., system upgrades) to the original contract. These changes resulted in a significant amount of profit realized by the shipyard from the original contract. I consider it the most interesting part of that job. Finally, while living in Virginia, I also taught college-level mathematics courses for students wanting credit toward a design apprenticeship with the shipyard.
I had a challenging and productive job working for NNS. However, living in a metropolitan area, in my opinion, does not compare to living in a small town. In 1998, I was given the opportunity to move back home and work as a Project Engineer for Temple Inland at the Maysville facility. This mill produces 100% recycled linerboard paper that is used to manufacture corrugated containers (cardboard boxes). As a Project Engineer, I was responsible for coordinating the design and installation of process equipment. Basically, I managed capital and expense projects that involved not only electrical engineering but also mechanical, structural, and civil engineering design. My favorite part of this job was starting up the new equipment systems that I had designed. To see a system through from original design, purchase, installation, testing, and startup is very satisfying (given that it is a successful project . . . which isn't always the case).
In addition to the Project Engineering role, I supported the maintenance department in all aspects of electrical maintenance within the facility (i.e. switchgear, programmable logic controllers, distributive control systems, variable frequency drives, instrumentation, electric motors, lighting, etc). One of the successful reliability programs I initiated involved the 15,000 horsepower variable frequency drives system. This system is the largest contributor of maintenance-related downtime in the mill. Over the years, we have reduced the overall drive-related downtime by 80%, saving the company big bucks.
In 2002, I was promoted to a Production Coordinator position. In this role, I managed half of the production teams, which consisted of 38 production technicians. I reluctantly accepted this position because I have enough trouble keeping up with myself, much less 38 other people, but it was a very gratifying experience. The Maysville Mill was started up in 1992. From the beginning, unlike most any other paper mill, this mill was founded on "team concept." People define "team concept" in many different ways. My experiences with team concept in this facility are that the people doing the work (operators and mechanics) collectively play a key role in making decisions that define the success of the mill. Given the characteristics of the people and the management practices founded from startup, this was the easiest job I will likely ever have. The greatest plus to this job, without a doubt, was working with the technicians on a day-to-day basis.
In 2006, the maintenance department restructured to form an Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I) Group, which I am currently managing. My responsibilities include providing leadership and direction for the E&I Group. On a day-to-day basis I provide detailed and accurate answers and guarantee timely follow-up to maintenance and production management for all electrical-related opportunities in the mill. I plan all electrical and instrumentation related preventative & predictive maintenance, the larger repairs and most critical jobs occurring during routine scheduled outages. It is my job to plan and source all material and labor needed during these outages. Furthermore, I assist the E&I technicians in hands-on troubleshooting of process control, mill information, AC induction and synchronous motor control circuits, variable frequency drives, etc. The best part of my current job is working with the E&I technicians troubleshooting complex electrical & instrumentation problems. Of all the positions I have worked as an Electrical Engineer, this is the best. I was always concerned that as an Engineer I would get stuck looking at four walls. I consider myself very fortunate that I get to do the hands-on work I enjoy.
Electrical Engineering is a challenging but rewarding profession in both job satisfaction and compensation. As you can see by the wide range of things I've had the chance to do, there are a variety of options to pursue in the engineering field, whatever your specific career interests.
If I had it to do over, I would not change a thing. Attending Maysville Community and Technical College before transferring to the Engineering program at the University of Kentucky is a "no brainer," in my opinion. Not only are the classes small with faculty readily available, but tuition is reasonable, and students have the opportunity to mature further before moving on to a larger university. This is no small point because you're choosing a path you'll follow throughout your life, and weighing your options at this age can be daunting. Guidance and support from individuals like the late Dr. Robert K. Berry, my advisor and a thirty-year chemistry professor at MCTC, inspired me to become who I am today.
For most Kentuckians, higher education begins at KCTCS. Our statewide system of 16 colleges and 65 campuses provides citizens throughout the Commonwealth with a quality education that is both accessible and affordable.