After twenty years as a firefighter/paramedic, I reached a point where I knew I needed change. I was proud of the work and the communities I served, but I felt a pull toward building something different. I wanted to create, to design, and to solve problems in a way that extended beyond the moment of crisis.
Engineering became that path.
Returning to school as an adult learner was not easy. I balanced full-time work, family life, and coursework while learning to think in new ways. Yet the challenge confirmed I had made the right decision. The discipline and systems thinking I developed as a firefighter/paramedic translated naturally into manufacturing and engineering. Instead of responding to emergencies, I now focus on designing processes, improving workflows, and building structure before problems arise.
This degree represents more than a career shift. It reflects growth, intention, and the willingness to step into a new chapter. My goal is to build my own precision machining shop in Vermont, creating something lasting through preparation, precision, and purpose.