What Altamaha Technical College has meant to me

By:  John G. Hopkins
Industrial Systems Technology program graduate
Spring 2007

Before attending Altamaha Technical College (ATC) I was employed as a lineman for an electric company.  My job was to construct and maintain power transmission lines throughout the state of Georgia. During the five years of working for this company I learned a lot, but all that came to a sudden halt in February 2004. I was injured on the job and thought I would never work again. While recovering at home I began to think that with the proper training and education, my injury might not prevent me from getting a good job and restarting my career. I turned to ATC for the guidance and the skills I would need to get such a job.

For many months I had been wondering what type of work, if any, I would be able to do.  I was hoping to make the wages I had been making as a lineman but I didn’t know if any company would hire me because of my previous injury and my lack of the skills.  Also, many people said I would never be able to do much physical work again but the instructors at ATC believed that I could if I applied myself to learning the skills I would need.  

With the guidance of Mr. Larry Thompson I made the decision to enter into the Industrial Systems Technology program. I earned two Technical Certificates of Credit (TCCs) in Industrial Mechanical Technician and Industrial Programmable Controllers as well as two diplomas in Industrial Systems Technology and Electrical Control Systems. My instructors, Larry Thompson and Chuck Teston, provided a comfortable learning environment during my time at ATC.

While still attending ATC I began to look for more than just a job.  I wanted a career with a company that would appreciate my education, skills, and potential at a salary that would provide for my family. I passed the SKAT/CAST test given by the Southern Company and was being considered for a job with Georgia Power. I was interviewed by Blake and Pendleton and Rayonier as well. This is where I used the interviewing skills Mr. Aiello, my professional development instructor, had taught me. After consulting with Mr. Thompson, I decided to take the job offered by Blake and Pendleton.  The pay was just what I needed and the work environment seemed agreeable. I would like to again thank Mr. Larry Thompson, Mr. Chuck Teston, and Mr. John Aiello for all of their help and encouragement throughout my time at ATC.

The faculty of Altamaha Technical College provides an affordable and flexible learning environment for anyone looking to improve their chances of landing that good paying career job in a technical field.  With the wisdom and guidance provided by ATC’s instructors, you can’t go wrong. I would highly recommend the Industrial Systems Technology program to anyone hoping to enter a top paying career field. I am extremely satisfied with the way my instructors gave me hope and trained me well in order to be successful in my new career.