Brett Gilliam, graduate of NC’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program returned to school after spending seven years working as a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Programmer.
What began as an interest in the automated equipment he worked with every day evolved into a passion for mechanical engineering and a desire to expand his technical knowledge.
Along his NC journey, Brett got married, welcomed his first child, and continued working part-time while completing his studies. His hard work paid off when he earned the Dean’s Award for the School of Technology with an impressive 96.6 per cent average, capping off a remarkable NC experience.
Today, he is already applying his education in a full-time role as a Mechanical Engineering Technologist – a position he secured through his final co-op placement in the program.
What were you doing before attending Niagara College?
Prior to returning to school, I had been working as a CNC Programmer for seven years. I became more involved with the other automated equipment in the shop, and that sparked my interest in studying mechanical engineering.
What interests you about your field of study? Why are you passionate about it?
I have always been interested in taking things apart to see how they work and being able to build anything I can think of. Mechanical engineering covers so many topics, I now feel like I truly could build or design anything I can think of.
How would you describe your experience in the program? Were there any highlights?
The program was fantastic overall, and the capstone design project was a great way to bring everything from the program together and give us a chance to apply everything we learned.
Did you face and overcome any challenges while completing your studies?
I got married and had my first child during my time at NC, all while working part-time. At times it was quite difficult to keep up with my studies.
Earning the Dean’s Academic Award after all of this shows me that I still managed to get the most out of my education.
Did you complete a co-op placement as part of your studies?
I had three co-op placements as part of the program: one in machining, one in management, and one in mechanical design.
Being able to experience so many potential career paths within the field of mechanical engineering was invaluable to my education and my future career path.
How do you feel your Niagara College experience has prepared you for the future?
The combination of classroom learning, hands-on projects and co-op experiences helped me develop the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in the industry.
How do you feel about your upcoming convocation day?
I am looking forward to celebrating this accomplishment with my family. My wife, daughter and mother will all be there to support me.
What have you been doing since completing your studies?
I am currently working full-time at my last co-op placement as a Mechanical Engineering Technologist. This role has been perfect for me and allows me to apply a lot of what I learned at NC.
