Student Spotlight - Rosemary Carrizales

For Rosemary Carrizales, Everett Community College's second-shift aviation maintenance classes were the perfect fit. The program allows her to work full-time during the day and take classes at night. "I didn't have to change my life around to go to school," she says. "I love not working in a conventional office setting, working with my hands and being physically active. All of these things just fit right into being a mechanic in aviation."

Why did you choose to attend EvCC? 

I chose EvCC out of all the colleges around me for aviation because it was one of the only programs that offered night classes. It's close to my house and work. I work a full-time job during the day and the program allows me to do both. 

What are your educational and career plans? 

I plan on getting my Associate in Technical Arts degree in aviation maintenance technology. I plan on getting my A&P certification (airframe and powerplant ratings required by the Federal Aviation Administration to perform maintenance, repairs or tests on aircraft). I currently work for the government and would like to continue my governmental service in aviation. 

What interested you about the aviation maintenance program?

There is a huge aviation presence here in Washington, and I love not working in a conventional office setting, working with my hands and being physically active. All of these things just fit right into being a mechanic in aviation, so I fell right into loving it.  

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

The teachers teach you all the information and skills you need to know to pass the FAA exam. They work with you on anything you feel like you're struggling in or didn't quite understand. They are really there to teach you. I have no doubt I'll reach my goals of passing those exams to get my certification.

Why did you choose to take evening classes, and how has that schedule benefitted you?

I chose night classes because they fit into my work schedule, so I didn't have to change my life around to go to school. 

Describe the best experience you've had at EvCC.

The best experiences I've had at EvCC is the lack of sleep I've had studying for tests, and the satisfaction I have taking these tests and seeing my hard work pay off passing them.

What's your favorite class project so far?

Any of the projects we do having to inspect the planes and the research that goes into it and what we find and document in our inspections. 

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

(Aviation Program Specialist) Gwen Holt and (Employment Facilitator) Teri Reade have done an amazing job bringing organizations and businesses here so we can get the most exposure into the aviation field, and you can tell they truly care about wanting us to succeed. They have helped me find, complete, and obtain scholarships for school so I could keep going and didn't have to worry about how I'm going to pay for the next class. They are the two women that are the unsung heroines of the aviation department and will help you with any problem you have or question you need an answer to. 

How has your EvCC Foundation scholarship helped you? 

The money paid for my classes and gave me the extra money for books and tools needed for the classes. It also went towards the parking permits each quarter, school supplies and allowed me to take on less student loan debt when I'm all done. I had actually never received a scholarship before, and it really gave me the confidence to keep going. 

What advice do you have for new students, or for people like you who are juggling work, kids or other obligations and are considering starting college?

Utilize Teri, Gwen and the teachers here as much as possible. They are all really here to help you and want you to succeed. If you put the effort into it, you will get it back. Make sure you can set aside enough time to study and utilize any help the college or classes make available to you.

What advice do you have for those who are the first in their family to go to college? 

As the first person to go to school in my immediate family, my advice is it's up to you to put your schooling first and to figure out what you need to make yourself successful at school. Ask your teachers questions on anything you don't understand. Don't let anything stand in your way.    

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Get the Prepware Apps to help you study for the tests and exams. The questions and material come directly from the FAA, and they use this to make the app and the teachers take the questions from the FAA to make the tests. Download and keep any power points, texts and material the teachers make available to you. Read and study it; the extra effort you make will help you understand the material and pass the classes. The teachers have tons of aviation experience and will answer any questions you have about the material or future jobs you are looking into.