Trade and technical career programs lead directly to employment for MSC Southeast students
View a list of all MSC Southeast programs by career area
Zach George, age 19, is a second-year student in Mechatronics at Minnesota State College Southeast. But he says the first thing that happens when he tells anyone he's a Mechatronics major is that people ask him what it is!
"Nobody seems to really know what 'Mechatronics' means. I just tell them it's about industrial automation and machinery -- maintaining it, repairing it, and designing it. And I explain all the available career paths," Zach said.
He continued, "Automation means any type of industrial machinery that can work independently using its own 'brains.' All it needs is needs is someone to start and stop it. Once it is programmed, it can do anything it's made for more effectively, efficiently, and quickly than you can do it by hand."
Manufacturing critical to SE Minnesota's economy
Manufacturing is a critical part of Southeast Minnesota's economy. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Manufacturing is the second largest employing industry in Southeast Minnesota, with 660 businesses providing almost 36,000 jobs.
"Prior to joining the college a few years ago, I spent over 30 years in Advanced Manufacturing," said Calvin Clemons, Director of Trade and Technology at Minnesota State College Southeast. "I know first-hand that industry has so many exciting career path opportunities in areas such as production operations, engineering, maintenance, supply chain, accounting/finance, and sales. The demand for workers is extremely high and the pay scale is very good, with average wages of $66,750, which is 13% higher than other industry averages."
Calvin also noted that the job placement rate for students graduating from MSC Southeast's trade and technical programs is almost always 100%. "In fact, in many cases, students start their careers before they graduate. Some of our students work part time and go to school part time, with their companies providing partial or full tuition reimbursement."
Already employed, before graduation
Zach George is already working 40 hours per week at Kwik Trip as a maintenance tech while going to college, and he is guaranteed employment there after he graduates.
"At the dairy plant we have filling machines, forklifts, packaging and labeling machines, and plant-wide transportation equipment like conveyors. Basically, maintenance techs like me get called out when there's an issue. We'll go out and take a look at it and fix it and make it right."
Bradley Bishop graduated from Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau in 2021 and is now in his second year at Minnesota State College Southeast in the CNC Machine Tool program.
The students have been learning how to use CNC (Computer Numerical Control) and manual lathes and mills. They also work with 3D printing, using both filament based and resin printers.
Bradley said the projects the students are tackling this year are interesting and challenging. "For example, we started with a tool that that is used to bend tubing to make bicycles. We took the tool apart, reverse engineered it, programmed and made 3D models of the pieces, and then made a set of new parts."
Like Zach in Mechatronics, Bradley is already employed in his career field. "I'll graduate in the spring and continue working at Fastenal," he said. "I've always liked working with my hands, and I enjoy CNC Machine Tool a lot - it's like a brain teaser."
"I do enjoy the work environment," said Zach. "I get a really good sense of pride when I'm actually able to fix something on my own."
What's more, said Bradley, the bottom line is simple. "There is a lot of need for people in trades and technical careers. You can get out of college and start making good money before you know it!"