Student Spotlight - Greg Kirkland

Tell me a little bit about yourself. 

I am currently pursuing my Associate in Technical Arts degree in welding at AMTEC, Everett Community College's Advanced Manufacturing Training and Education Center. I work full time in auto recycling and go to school full time, too. I graduated from Snohomish High School in 2018.

Why did you choose to attend EvCC?

It is close to home, and I heard great things about the welding program. I heard about AMTEC through my shop teacher at Snohomish High School and was interested. 

What are your educational and career plans?

I plan to ether get into a union or work for Boeing.

What interested you about the welding program? 

What interested me about the program was how EvCC had their own separate program just for manufacturing.

How do you think the skills you're learning at AMTEC are helping you reach your goals? 

By helping me gain confidence in who I am and what my future holds.

Describe the best experience you've had at EvCC. 

The best experience at EvCC was seeing the diverse culture we have and how everyone has a common goal in mind.

What's your favorite class project so far?

My favorite class project was the final in a class couple of quarters ago; it entailed putting together pieces of cut metal and welding them according to a print.

Who has helped you succeed at EvCC? What did that person do to help you?

I have three people who have/are helping me succeed at EvCC: Welding Instructors Karl Fulton and Curt Bailey and AMTEC Program Manager Lisa Fritch. They are encouraging me to try new things and always aim for better. They have really helped me get to where I am now.

What advice do you have for new students? 

Try your best, have fun, and don't be afraid to try new things.