FINDING A REWARDING CAREER WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY

I definitely recommend going to Lake Land. Because of my education there, I had a lot of options when I got to the workforce. Now every single time I do a job, I have a rewarding moment.

-PARKER

Throughout his time at Lake Land, Parker said his instructors taught a diverse array of subject matter that created several opportunities for him later. He was able to work on projects such as building a wind turbine out of a bicycle wheel and creating gasifiers with paint cans.

Hayden Parker had long been interested in new and developing technology as well as hands-on career opportunities. He found both in the Renewable Energy Program at Lake Land College and is now working as a battery technician at Rivian, an electric vehicle automaker company. “I really want to help out and do my part,” Parker, Laker Nation Class of 2019, said. “Lake Land gave me a good foundation for a career I can enjoy while supporting my family.” Deciding to return to college a few years after beginning his educational journey elsewhere, Parker enrolled at Lake Land in 2018. “Honestly I wish I would have chosen Lake Land as my first college starting out,” Parker said. “One of the biggest benefits in the program was the interaction between the students and teachers. Any help I needed, I always received.”

“We had a lot of really helpful experiences, like learning about computer software and climbing the wind tower,” Parker said.

“I liked studying multiple things, and all of the handson experience was really fun. The classes really helped prepare me for what jobs would look like in the future.”

Because he had already." earned some college credit, Parker was able to earn an associate degree in only one year. Having begun his career as a solar installer, Parker said his education became even more beneficial when he transitioned into working as a technician. “I never know what to expect going into a job, so when I figure it out it’s really satisfying,” Parker said. “I definitely recommend going to Lake Land. Because of my education there, I had a lot of options when I got to the workforce. Now every single time I do a job, I have a rewarding moment.”

Pictured Below: Assembly team members inserting a windshield on a Rivian R1T on the Validation Production line at Rivian's manufacturing plant in Normal, IL. Photo credit to Rivian Newsroom. Above: Parker with a Rivian R1T.

MANUFACTURING AREA OF STUDY

Applied Engineering Technology | Electronics Engineering Technology | Electronic Control Technician | Industrial Maintenance | Manufacturing Skills | Mechanical-Electrical Technology | Production Technician | Programmable Logic Controllers | Renewable Energy | Robotic & Automated Manufacturing | Sustainable Energy | Welding | Manufacturing Exploratory Area of Study

LEARN MORE

For more information or to get started in a Manufacturing Area of Study visit lakelandcollege.edu.