Graduate Testimonials
Dina AguilarBiomedical Technician
Cleveland Clinic/Martin Health Stuart, Florida About DinaDina Aguilar graduated from Indian River State College in May 2017, with an Associate in Science Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology with specializations in robotics and photonics. She also earned an Associate in Science Degree in Sports Medicine. Dina lives in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, and enjoys hiking and traveling.
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How she got started in Lasers-Photonics |
Dina Aguilar graduated from high school and worked in the hospitality industry while taking courses at Indian River State College towards an Associate in Science Degree. After attending one of the information sessions and lab tour of the Electronics Engineering Technology program, she got excited and interested in the IRSC Robotics and Photonics Institute. Dina already had a keen interest in biomedical technology, and while researching the web on information and prospects for this new field, she discovered that this could lead her into a career as a biomedical technician. She knew with high confidence that this was the right program for her. Dina’s family and friends were very encouraging in this decision because they have been watching her tinker with electronics all her life.
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Education at the Robotics and Photonics Institute at IRSCWorking in industryDina’s advice to new students and parents |
Because Dina was working full time while attending IRSC classes, she had to manage her time very carefully. She found that the program was very interesting and challenging. Her classmates were friendly, and the professors provided Dina with great guidance as she pursued a career in the Robotics and Photonics fields. She enjoyed the small classes and the hands-on learning approach that complemented theory.
Dina now works full time at Cleveland Clinic/Martin Health as a biomedical technician in a department of eleven men and three women. She says this about her work, “I’m extremely interested in my career. I have the opportunity to work on a plethora of different clinical equipment. Each day is a new learning opportunity. A biomedical technician performs preventative maintenance and repairs clinical equipment. Some examples of equipment [are] infusion pumps, EKG machines, patient monitoring systems [and] vital signs monitors.” Dina is happy to work for a company that has opportunities for advancement and looks forward to gaining knowledge on more advanced and sophisticated medical equipment.
“If you enjoy learning how electronics work and are applied, this program is for you. I have realized that with this degree, the possibilities are endless. The Associate in Science Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology with the specialties of robotics and photonics opens you up to so many different job specialties. It feels very good to graduate from college without owing thousands of dollars in loans.”
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Jason TroyanoBiomedical Technician
GE Healthcare Miami, Florida About JasonJason Troyano graduated from Indian River State College in May 2013, with an Associate in Science Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology, with a specialization in Biomedical Electronics. He lives in Miami, Florida, and in his spare time enjoys fishing, kayaking, playing board games and cards, and watching movies.
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How he got started in Lasers-PhotonicsEducation at the Robotics and Photonics Institute at IRSC |
Jason Troyano was a line service technician for Key Air Inc., where he was responsible for all pre-flight services of aircrafts, including meeting safety regulations, performing maintenance and quality control inspections and documenting his work. It suddenly dawned on Jason that he should pursue an education in electronics. “I have always been interested in the study of light,” he says, and he recalls the moment he learned “that everything we see has no color until the light bounces back from the object and into our eyes.” Jason visited Indian River State College (IRSC) and found that “they had the exact program I wanted to get into: Electronics Engineering Technology.” Jason embraced this opportunity and immediately signed up for the IRSC Robotics and Photonics Institute.
“Once I began the Robotics and Photonics program, my positive attitude and hard work really began to pay off,” Jason says. In 2012, the IRSC Robotics and Photonics Institute offered Jason a job as an instructional aide, which allowed him to learn even more and gave him additional hands-on lab experience. Jason was responsible for maintaining inventories of parts and components, ensuring that equipment was functioning properly, assisting in the design and development of lab experiments and helping students perform their labs. “I enjoyed myself thoroughly,” he recalls. One of Jason’s proudest moments was when he fixed the projector system in his school planetarium. He experienced how it felt to use his knowledge in a real-life application, and “it was very rewarding.” Jason believes that his education helped prepare him for the real world. He explains, “My professors guided me and gave me excellent knowledge to better myself, not only in photonics, but in life as well.”
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Working in industry |
Before graduating, Jason interviewed and landed a job as a biomedical equipment technician with General Electric, in the South Florida region. Jason is responsible for maintaining MRIs for General Electric. “This career is the perfect combination of healthcare, photonics and cutting-edge technology that I was hoping for,” Jason says. His talent for troubleshooting and repairing electrical equipment is not the only advantage that he brings to General Electric; he also has strong communication skills and enjoys working with teams.
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Jason’s advice to new students and parents |
Looking back on how far he has come, Jason is convinced that if people stay focused on their goals, “a positive attitude will take you anywhere and everywhere in this life.” With a bright future ahead of him, he is grateful for his decision to pursue a technical education. “Technology is everywhere,” Jason explains. “It impacts your everyday life now.” He believes that to overlook technology as a career prospect is to miss out on a great opportunity.
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Justin JensenProject Engineer
Laser Components Stuart, Florida About JustinJustin Jensen graduated from Indian River State College in May 2010, with an Associate in Arts Degree in Engineering, an Associate in Science Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and a Lasers and Photonics Certificate. Justin lives in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, where he enjoys fishing, golfing, riding four-wheelers, camping and other outdoor activities.
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How he got started in Lasers-PhotonicsEducation at the Robotics and Photonics Institute at IRSC
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Justin Jensen was fresh out of high school and knew he wanted a career in engineering. While searching for the right school and degree program, he came across Indian River State College (IRSC), which offers an Associate in Arts Degree in Engineering, designed to allow students to transfer into an engineering program at a state university. After learning about what else IRSC had to offer, he decided to also pursue an Associate in Science Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and a Lasers and Photonics Certificate while getting a job. “I wanted to get some hands-on learning,” he recalls. “I wanted to either get a job during university or have a job as a technician as back-up before doing my [university] studies.” Justin’s decision was also based on his own research into the field of photonics. He researched job opportunities and requirements for photonics technicians, salaries and the overall job market for technicians. He also attended information sessions that explained the myriad of options available in photonics and convinced him to earn a Lasers and Photonics Certificate.
The program at IRSC gave Justin the theoretical and hands-on skills that the industry expected from him. His professors were knowledgeable, with advanced degrees in Electronics Engineering and many years of industrial experience. The classes were small, and he was able to get to know all his classmates. Everyone helped each other during their studies.
During his time at IRSC, Justin came across an internship offered by MicroWatt Applications, a manufacturer of pyroelectric infrared detectors. He was hired as their first intern and eventually became a project manager at only twenty years of age. That company was one of only two in the world to use a particular type of crystal, and Justin’s work with them inspired him. Justin went on to attend Florida State University, where he conducted research on the growth and characterization of an optical crystal known as DLaTGS (deuterated l-alanine doped triglycine sulfate). Justin graduated from Florida State University in May 2014, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in materials science. He is now a project engineer at Laser Components where he designs new infrared detectors and supervises four photonics technicians. Photonics and light technologies are the future. Apply yourself and study hard to gain valuable technical skills. High tech companies will compete to hire you. A two-year investment at IRSC with low tuition costs will prepare you for a great career and well-paying job with no loans to pay back.
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