By the time he graduated high school at 17-years old, Hunter Gargan knew his way around welding, fabricating and electrical systems, having watched his grandfather and stepdad in the field all his life. By the time he was 25-years old, he had his own strong electrical skill set, but came to realize the benefits of a formal education that would expand his knowledge and potentially a more successful career.
Hunter was working as Lead Man for an electrical company when he decided it was time to up his game and specialize in Electrical Technology with a certificate of achievement from Carrington College. But now he has a family: Ashley and their three children between the ages of two and five-years old. Could they make it happen?
What convinced you formal education was the right choice?
I’d worked my way up the ladder, but when I started with a new company doing high-volt electric work I realized there were some gaps in my knowledge and that I needed some theory. I just got by because somebody showed me this. I have a lot more confidence, now, for having the formal training.
I went out to find the school I wanted to go to. And my company allowed me to go back to school for that formal training (36 week program at Carrington College), while still working full-time.
Why Carrington College?
My grandfather, David, mentioned Carrington College and the boss at my company thought it was a beneficial school to go to. I had a couple of my other supervisors check it out, too, and they thought it would be a great program to take.
Any big surprises in the Electrical Technology program?
I was surprised at how much information could be taught in such a short amount of time. Most apprenticeships are several years, and this is a similar experience in as few as 9-months. Having prior electrical knowledge, I had a definite advantage. In certain classes I could help the teacher and could help show 3-4 students something pretty fast.
Did you have a ‘favorite’ class?
I learned a lot in Programmable Logic Controllers/Industrial Electronics class. You learn what your input functions are, how to build a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) using Ladder Logic system. It’s a diagram with a series of starts, stops, outputs and based on open/closed contact when you start/stop these inputs to get planned results. Very complex program that is something special to my field. It gives you a different way of thinking about electricity and will make you a safer electrician.
What was your instructor support like?
James Mann – the dude was genius. There wasn’t a single question you could ask him that he didn’t know the answer to – or find it in minutes. I was already a lead electrician, but he opened my eyes to things I hadn’t seen before. You think you know how to wire a light one way, and he showed me ways I’d never thought of before.
He took the time to make sure we understood what he was talking about. He knew what we were going to need to know. And, with electrical, it can be dangerous if you think you know it all. You could turn something off, have no power at the source and there would still be electricity present in motor controls. Big safety impact.
What was one of your favorite moments in the Electrical Technology program?
That was the day I got to build my first LLP (LadderLogicProgram). It was a singular thing where everybody had their own PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The instructor led us step-by-step to make sure we understood it. He knew how important this information was for our competence and success.
Do you have any advice for students who might be struggling?
Just keep trying, because after you’ve done it a hundred times, it’s just going to click. It will go from the unknown to the familiar. It will become ‘muscle memory’.
What was your greatest struggle?
The travel and being away from family. I was in class four days a week, worked 40-50 hours a week, commute home almost 2-hours each way; got 3-4 hours sleep a night. I averaged 3-5 hours sleep at night. Sometimes it was hard to come back and do it again the next night.
What does your job entail?
I’m a sub-station technician and am on a job from the dirt all the way to the point of setting transformers and turning them on. It involves grading the dirt, punching holes for columns/piers/breaker pads; then digging conduit trenches while, at the same time, laying ground mats; pulling wires through breakers and transformers then terminate the cables, which entails stripping and landing the cables. Each job – depending on size of the yard – that average 6-9 months.
Do you have the support you need to balance work/school/home life?
Ashley took the load of responsibility for home and kids. If she hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. She also worked full-time and was going to school. We missed out on a lot of family time.
When I was young, I was a troublemaker and didn’t take school seriously and I wanted to set a better example; school is important. ‘Mommy and Daddy have to do it; it’s something we all have to do if we want to succeed.”
What keeps you motivated to complete your Electrical Technology program?
I work for a very good company (Reinhausen Mfg.), and they’ve helped me whenever I’ve needed it, time off on test days, company truck. All the bosses are outstanding, and they make me want to give them back 110%. I want their investment in me to show a profit.
Who do you want to emulate?
My grandfather, David, and my dad, Scott. It’s their intelligence, their work ethic, their ability to lead people. They’re not afraid to help anybody with work from the lowest to highest level. They are so mechanically inclined and good at building. They help anybody who needs a hand.
What is your vision for the future?
I’ve already enrolled to complete my associate degree at Carrington College, which I started the week after completing the ET certificate program and will complete this October.
My job is as secure as it can be, and I’m doing alright financially. I recently bought my first home and Ashley and I are getting married at the end of the year. Life is a bit more relaxed.
