Meet Tristen Teer - 2024 Granville Jr/Sr High Graduate
Best Advice from Tristen - Pay attention to the parts of high school classes that interest you or that you enjoy, even if you have a hard time with some classes. Those parts that you like a little, or just find interesting, even from the tough classes, can give you hints as to what you might enjoy doing for work.
Where is he now? Tristen is a Mechatronics Student, at SUNY Adirondack, Queensbury, NY and is pursuing a two-year Associate Degree of Applied Science and an Electrician Certificate.
If you’re like most people, you may have never heard of Mechatronics.
According to SUNY Adirondack, it’s where mechanics, electronics and automation meet.
This degree prepares students for technician roles in the manufacturing industry and students study electricity, mechanical systems and robotics.
The SUNY Adirondack two-year degree leads to jobs as mechanical engineers, mechatronic engineers, robotics engineers, project managers, and mechanical design.
Average starting salary is between $67K to $74K per year and the median salary for experienced workers is $111.972 with highly experienced workers earning up to $163,448.
Let’s hear first hand what it’s like from Granville CSD Grad, Tristen Teer
How did you get into Mechatronics?
I found my way to Mechatronics through hands-on interests and trying a few things.
When I was in high school, I taught myself how to wire my model railroad and rewired my family’s 1946 tractor too. I really enjoyed the wiring process and found the problem-solving factors motivating.
I enrolled in SUNY Adirondack, thinking I might want to be an engineer and I would save money by doing my first two years at SUNY ADK and then transfering. But by the mid-semester of my first set of classes, I realized I would rather do more hands-on work.
I switched out of the engineering program into mechatronics program where there was much more hands-on work and I immediately felt more at home. I also met new friends who liked similar things and got to know more people at school, some who commute even farther than I do.
How are you funding your education?
I pay for my education by working hard during the summers and saving money, so I can pay off each year of college as I go and graduate without any education debt. I commute to school and live at home and that saves a lot of money too.
What’s a typical day for you at SUNY Adirondack?
A typical day for me while pursuing this degree is that I commute to SUNY ADK and take notes in various classes for this degree, and learn the material. Some of my classes are teaching me all the different types of wire used in just about any piece of infrastructure of a building that needs electricity, and others are teaching us how we can construct electrical circuits. On non-school days, I work to keep saving so that I graduate debt free, and leave one day out of the week to continue my hobbies and give my brain a mental break. I make plans with people in my classes for lab work and also to hang out.
What skills or interests does someone need to do well in mechatronics?
As a technician, you’re working with your hands, working with tools, maintaining, improving and repairing systems - machine or electrical systems. Mechatronics technicians can become mechatronic engineers working on software designing, building, maintaining and optimizing aspects of the mechatronics systems or go into management. Because these systems keep changing, you also have to be comfortable updating your knowledge as the field changes.
What advice do you have for high school students?
The advice I have for any current Jr/Sr High school students is that it is perfectly ok if you change your mind about your career path or if you're unsure of what career to go for. I changed my major twice before I realized that the major I'm taking now is the one that's right for me. Though I am now spending an extra year at college, at least I'm graduating with a major I'm proud of, rather than one I regret.
I would also add: pay attention to the parts of high school classes that interest you or that you enjoy, even if you have a hard time with some classes. Those parts that you like a little, or just find interesting, even from the tough classes, can give you hints as to what you might enjoy doing for work.
What is a favorite memory from Jr/Sr High?
My favorite moments tend to come from Cross Country, Indoor Track and Track & Field. All three sports had such a great group of coaches and athletes who could have fun, helped each other when needed and also could get the work done - in the classroom and on the track and field. The excitement and adrenalin rush of being a part of a race and/or cheering on the side lines is an unforgettable experience too.
What’s next?
My plans are to hopefully get a job in a electrical field for a railroad company such as a Journeyman Electrician or Electrical Technician position.
Congrats Tristen! We are proud of you and thank you for sharing what you've learned so far with the school community.
Resources
Learn More About Mechatronics Two-Year Degree
Career Planning Resources at Granville CSD - For Students, Families and Grads
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