Student Spotlight - James Michael Joyce

Avionics Certificate graduate James Michael Joyce at work at Blue Origin in Kent, WA

EvCC Avionics graduate James Michael Joyce decided to return to school after a decade in order to make a career change. James chose Everett Community College for its wide range of advanced manufacturing and aerospace pathways. After completing his Mechatronics Systems Certificate, James went on to study Advanced Avionics. Now working as an Electrical Integration Technician at Blue Origin in Kent, James credits the hands-on training he received at EvCC for his success in landing a job so quickly after completing the program. “Any and all of the hands-on experience I had at EvCC, during avionics and mechatronics, were the best parts of my education,” he said. “I've used many of these skills during my first 6 months of work and I'd have been lost without them. These skills laid a solid foundation for me to continue learning on the job.”

Why did you choose EvCC? 

I chose EvCC because I was interested in the range of programs offered in the Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Pathways. When I decided to return to school after having worked for over a decade, I was doing so in order to switch careers.  At the time, I wanted to switch careers into the aerospace industry. The range of programs at EvCC seemed to cover a solid range of pathways into the aerospace industry, even though I didn't have a specific job track in mind at the time. 

Why did you decide to study Avionics? 

I decided to study avionics on the advice of Teri Reade, EvCC's Employment Facilitator.  I was able to connect with Teri on several occasions prior to enrollment. She advised me to study avionics because of its applicability across a range of aerospace applications. Even though I knew that I didn't want to work for an airline, she explained to me that the skill acquired through studying avionics would be applicable and beneficial in fields that interested me much more including rocketry, VTOL, drones and submarines. Teri also advised me to study Mechatronics, which would give me a good foundation in both mechanical and electrical fields.  I completed the Mechatronics Systems Certificate at EvCC during the 2 quarters before beginning avionics.  I definitely think this was the right choice as I did not have any previous experience in mechanical or electrical work before enrolling at EvCC. Had I gone directly to avionics, I think it would have been a bit overwhelming for me. Besides, I acquired skills in mechatronics that are applicable for my job that I didn't learn in avionics. 

Do you have your A&P aircraft maintenance license or did you attend the AMT program? If so, why did you add Avionics skills? 

I do not have my A&P license and I do not intend to pursue one. When starting on my pathway back to school, I knew that I didn't want to work for an airline or for an aircraft manufacturer.  I analyzed the job descriptions for positions that looked interesting at companies I wanted to work for. The A&P license was only mentioned rarely and didn't appear to be a hard requirement. It didn't make sense for me to spend 2 years in school full time to pursue the license if it wasn't necessary for the types of jobs I wanted to pursue.

Where are you working, and how are you using your education at your job?

I am working at Blue Origin in Kent, WA as an Electrical Integration Technician in the New Glenn Hardware-in-the-Loop facility. I started actively applying for jobs in mid-January 2022--about 2 months before my planned graduation from avionics in March. I received a job offer from Blue Origin in mid-February--about a month after I started applying and about 3 weeks before graduation. The timing worked out very well.

I use the skills and knowledge acquired through my education every day at work:

  • Reading and interpreting wire interconnect and block interconnect diagrams
  • Researching part numbers
  • Assembling and repairing wire harnesses using MIL-DTL 38999 Series 3 Connectors
  • Building electronic assemblies that require some soldering
  • Testing and troubleshooting electronics with test equipment--most often with a multimeter doing continuity or resistance checks.  On occasion, we have also needed oscilloscopes and function generators.
  • Inspection of electronic assemblies for rework and repair
  • Applying silicone fusion tape for harness strain relief (I've probably wrapped over a mile of tape in the last 6 months)

Who helped you succeed at EvCC (faculty member, staff, etc.)? What did that person do to help you? 

Teri Reade and Raylene Alexander both deserve credit for my success. After learning about my interests and future career aspirations, Teri guided me toward both Mechatronics and Avionics, which I had not previously considered when I looked at the educational options at EvCC. She also helped me to update my resume over several sessions and counseled me on applying for jobs that interested me. 

Raylene Alexander obviously played a key role in my avionics education, which I believe played the most significant role in quickly finding a job that interested me. Her focus on gaining as much hands-on learning as possible and on introducing project-based learning gave me real world examples that I was able to speak to during my interview process.  This was particularly meaningful for someone like me who did not have any prior industry experience to point to.  Every skill we studied during the hands-on practical modules, particularly in the second quarter of the program, is something that I ended up using within the first month of starting work.

Describe the best experience you had at EvCC. 

Any and all of the hands-on experience I had at EvCC, during avionics and mechatronics, were the best parts of my education. I've used many of these skills during my first 6 months of work and I'd have been lost without them. Actually, I'd never have been considered for the job without them. These skills laid a solid foundation for me to continue learning on the job.

What advice do you have for new students?  What do you wish you'd known about EvCC sooner? 

Don't delay and start as soon as you can. Although the COVID-19 remote learning would have severely complicated an earlier start to my education, I wish I'd started sooner so I could have been on my way to a new career sooner.

Anything else you want to add?

Even more hands-on skill building! Of everything I learned at EvCC--let's say 50% was theory and 50% was hands-on practice--I've probably used 90% of those hands-on skills and 10% of that theory in my daily job. I'd also suggest that there must be some way to get industry professionals more involved in the program. Maybe some modules where an industry professional can come in for a class or two to help students build or practice specific skills.  Something like this could make the curriculum feel more real and applicable. It could also be a way to keep students looking to their next steps after graduation.