Hinds Community College Blog

What do you want to be when you grow up? Choosing a career path is not only exciting but it can be tricky. Marion Eifling, Air Frame Power Plant Instructor, believes that students in Aviation Maintenance are unique. Usually, from a young age, they have had a desire to be around airplanes, leading them to a professional career in the aerospace industry. 

Today’s aircraft are highly complex machines that require reliable parts and service to fly safely. To keep an aircraft in peak operating condition, aircraft and avionics technicians perform scheduled maintenance, make repairs, and complete inspections. They must follow detailed federal regulations set by the FAA that dictate maintenance schedules for a variety of different operations.

Many technicians are generalists and work on many different types of aircraft, such as jets, piston-driven airplanes, and helicopters. Others specialize in one section of a particular type of aircraft, such as the engine, airframe components, hydraulics, or electrical system of a particular aircraft. In independent repair shops, technicians usually inspect and repair many different types of aircraft.

Most technicians who work on civilian aircraft have either one or both of the FAA’s Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificates. Technicians who have these certificates are authorized to work on most components of aircraft, excluding flight instruments and major work on propellers and turbine engines. Maintaining a plane’s electronic flight instruments is typically the job of specialized avionics technicians.

So What Does An Aircraft Mechanic Do?

• Inspection, repair and replace defective aircraft parts
• Diagnose electrical or mechanical problems
• Identify repair procedures as per maintenance manuals
• Repair aircraft components including wings, brakes, and electrical systems
• Use hand or power tools to replace defective parts
• Use gauges and other diagnostic equipment to test aircraft parts
• Inspect completed work to ensure that it meets performance standards
• Keep records of maintenance and repair work

Air traffic is expected to gradually increase over the coming decade.   Competition for aircraft and avionics technician jobs varies with the best job opportunities available for technicians who hold an A&P certificate and have knowledge about the most cutting edge technologies and composite materials. Familiarity with computers and digital systems will help provide the best opportunities.

The Aviation Maintenance Technology Program at Hinds Community College has an excellent reputation with the aerospace industry seeking skilled technicians. Placement of students who complete the program is a top priority. Typical job placement in this field can be found with Dean Aviation, L-3 Vertex, Eaton Industries, MARC, Inc., regional airlines and National Guard aviation units. Employment possibilities are world-wide.

Do You Possess These Qualities? 

• Agility.
• Detail oriented.
• Dexterity.
• Observational skills.
• Troubleshooting skills.

If So This Might Be The Career For You!

Degree Options:

Aviation Maintenance Technology is an instructional program designed to provide specialized training in all areas of aircraft maintenance to prepare individuals to inspect, repair, service, and overhaul aircraft engine and airframe components and systems. Aircraft and avionics technicians inspect, repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft. This program is designed to prepare students for the Federal Aviation Administration examinations for certification as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician.

Degree options in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program include a Career Certificate option, Technical Certificate option and AAS Degree option. All program options are written to nationally recognized, industry-based certifications. The goal is for the student to earn a “credential of value” during their time at the community college. That “credential of value” is the Associate of Applied Science degree, a Technical Certificate, a Career Certificate, and FAA A&P certification recognized by business and industry. The credential should be a step along a career pathway offering students ongoing opportunities to increase their earning potential in the job market. 

“The airplane is just a bunch of sticks and wires and cloth, a tool for learning about the sky and about what kind of person I am, when I fly. An airplane stands for freedom, for joy, for the power to understand, and to demonstrate that understanding. Those things aren't destructible. “- Ricard Bach

Automotive Vehicle and Accessories Marketing

Choosing a career path can be tricky but everyone has a purpose in life. In the sage words of Yogi Berra, "if you don't know where you're going, you'll be lost when you get there." This week, let’s take a look at careers in Automotive Vehicle and Accessories Marketing. Did you know that Hinds Community College on the Raymond Campus is the only community college in Mississippi offering a degree option in this field?

Automotive marketing technicians perform a variety of tasks making it one of the most versatile fields in the sales and marketing occupations. These technicians are responsible for receiving, stocking, selling and shipping merchandise in the automotive after-market. Specific training will enable technicians to: ascertain the correct part required by the customer, advise the customer according to the description given, read various catalogs to determine the part number and price, measure engine parts, display merchandise, determine correct interchange parts, accept telephone orders and take inventory.

What About Jobs….Are They Out There?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of vehicle and equipment parts sales professionals is projected to grow 17 to 20 percent from 2010 to 2020. That's huge, especially compared to many other sectors! Many of these jobs exist in what is known as the after-market which is a term industry refers to for vehicle maintenance, repairs and sales of accessories and parts after a vehicle is purchased initially. The projected growth in this field is excellent so there are definitely opportunities out there so this is excellent career path to consider as a possibility. 

Do You Possess These Skills?

• Customer-service skills

• People skills

• Persistence

• Selling skills

If so, this may just the career choice for you! Because they have constant interaction with people, it is important that automotive marketing technicians have a friendly and outgoing personality that is responsive to the wants and needs of their customers. In addition, auto marketing techs must be persuasive and persistent when selling products. Any sales person should possess a positive attitude with each and every new sales attempt.

Degree options in the program Automotive Vehicle and Accessories Marketing include a Career Certificate option, Technical Certificate option and AAS Degree option. All program options are written to nationally recognized, industry-based certifications. The goal is for the student to earn a “credential of value” during their time at the community college. That “credential of value” is the Associate of Applied Science degree, a Technical Certificate, a Career Certificate, and/or license/certification recognized by business and industry. The credential should be a step along a career pathway offering students ongoing opportunities to increase their earning potential in the job market.

For more information on this program contact Marcus Mott at 601.857.3286 or MPMott@hindscc.edu. Note: This program is taught at the Raymond Campus only.

Biomedical Technology student, James Roddy, has spent this past semester interning for Crothall Healthcare. In his own words, this is what the experience has meant to him. 

According to the company’s website, “Crothall Healthcare was founded in 1991 to address the need for a specialized, high quality, innovative, and responsive support services company, exclusively servicing the unique needs of the healthcare industry.” Crothall Healthcare is composed of five specialized areas, which are: Environmental Services, Patient Transport, Laundry & Linen, Facilities Management, and Clinical Equipment Solutions. In 2013, Crothall Healthcare was recognized as one of “The Top 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare,” companies, as sited by the Crothall Website. Crothall Healthcare bought Crest Health Services in 2014 and assumed the account at Baptist Health Systems. Biomedical Equipment Repair belongs to the Clinical Equipment Solutions Section of Crothall Healthcare.

The Biomedical Superintendent at Crothall is Mr. Wayne Cumbie. Both he and his lead Biomedical Technician, Mike McCaphree, assigned me to various technicians throughout the semester. I and another Intern, Lauren Tapley, usually worked with a general biomedical technician, Ashley Marcoffe. During my time at Crothall Healthcare, I gained extensive experience with the repair of Biomedical Equipment, Hospital Procedure, and Crothall’ preventative maintenance system.

The first few weeks at Crothall, we spent learning our way around Baptist Hospital taking tours of different areas of the Hospital, such as: Intensive Care Units, Emergency Rooms, Operating Rooms, Surgery Rooms, Oncology, and Central Supply. As we went on these tours we were shown the different types of equipment that coincides with each area. Our first repair experiences dealt with Kendall Foot pumps. These pumps are very portable and usually see abuse. We found cords to be torn, chassis to be broken, hose connection pieces broken, along with various other code errors. They are good troubleshooting skill builders, and there were usually enough of them to keep us busy during slow times. Another piece of equipment that we worked with was the Sigma Spectrum Infusion Pump. These pumps were under a lease contract so we were limited to only certain repairs. At times other Biomedical Technicians would let us go with them to see bigger equipment such as CT Scans, and C- Arm portable and stationary imaging equipment. We spent time assisting technicians with Steris Autoclaves, and Sanitizers. There were some repair calls that brought us into the Neonatal area of the hospital, for instance a Geraff incubator was making a loud noise after it had been cleaned, later we found that the fan motor was going out. Another time we went to tighten a patient monitor that kept tilting too far forward.  One of the more exciting repairs took us to the Imaging department where we got to help change out encoders on two GE CT scans. Another time we helped install an O2 sensor in a Pulmanary Function Lab.

At Crothall Healthcare, it was stressed to us the importance of using proper Hospital and Manufactures procedures in dealing with personnel and with equipment. We learned that there are certain areas of hospitals where you need to wear protective closing to protect both the patient and yourself from the spreading of disease or germs. The Biomedical Technicians that trained us were very helpful, and knowledgeable in explaining these procedures to us. We had access to Service Manuals for each piece of equipment that we worked on. Most of the time the technician would have us read the service manual before we performed any work on that equipment.

Crothall Healthcare’s preventative maintenance data base is called “Team Trace,” and gives the biomedical technician a monthly list of equipment that needs to have routine maintenance performed on them. The Risk number will dictate how often a piece of equipment has maintenance performed on it. Any Risk valued equipment used on patients should be serviced according to manufacturer’s guide lines. We helped perform maintenance on surgery lights, patient monitors, Blood warmers, Autoclaves, EKG’s, Infusion Pumps, and Bladder Scanners. Most of the equipment has a color coded sticker to indicate that it had been serviced along with the date and the technicians name on it. Keeping track of equipment can be difficult at times. The Emergency Room for instance sees a lot of people who come in by ambulance from another hospital or a patient may get transferred with a piece of equipment that doesn’t get returned. Locating equipment and getting to the equipment when it is not being used seems to be two of the biggest problems according to the technicians we trained under.

My first internship with Crothall Healthcare has been a great learning experience. The personnel were very knowledgeable and willing to teach us the right way to do things. They were engaging and made us think when they were training us. We were given time to figure things out for ourselves once we had proven we could fix things safely. I had a great Internship and I am looking forward to my next internship with them.    

For more information about the Biomedical Technology program on the Raymond Campus of Hinds Community College you may contact the program instructor Jacob Wright at 601.857.3421 or Jacob.Wright@hindscc.edu .        

What do you want to be when you grow up? If you’re still exploring your options, that’s okay! With thousands of career choices out there, it’s hard to decide! Do you enjoy being a “weekend” mechanic or just “tinkering” with your car? Let’s take a look and see if a career in the automotive field might be a “good fit” for your skills and career goals.

Automotive service technicians and mechanics inspect, maintain, and repair all types of motor vehicles. Service technicians work on engines, transmissions, and drive belts. However, they must also be familiar with integrated electronic systems such as accident-avoidance sensors, braking, transmission, and steering systems. Service technicians sometimes specialize in a particular type of repair including automotive air-conditioning, brake repairers, front-end mechanics, and transmission technicians to name a few. 

Are the jobs out there?

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the number of jobs for automotive service technicians and mechanics is projected to increase 9% nationally and 6% in Mississippi through 2020. Many job prospects will be available as mechanics and technicians retire or change employment. Entry-level service technicians will be needed to perform basic maintenance and repairs as the number of vehicles on the road continues to rise. Job prospects are going to be best for those with postsecondary training, good problem-solving and diagnostic skills, and computer and electronics knowledge and experience. Hinds Community College has an excellent Automotive Technology Program that is well respected in the metro area and beyond!

Possess these qualities……this might be the career for you

• Customer-service skills
• Detail oriented
• Dexterity
• Mechanical skills
• Troubleshooting skills

Which degree option is right for you?

Automotive Technology is an instructional program that prepares individuals to engage in the servicing and maintenance of all types of motor vehicles by providing classroom instruction and laboratory experiences using equipment comparable to that found in industry.  

Degree options in the Automotive Technology program include a Career Certificate option, Technical Certificate option and AAS Degree option.  All program options are written to nationally recognized, industry-based certifications.  The goal is for the student to earn a “credential of value” during their time at the community college.  That “credential of value” is the Associate of Applied Science degree, a Technical Certificate, a Career Certificate, and/or license/certification recognized by business and industry.  The credential should be a step along a career pathway offering students ongoing opportunities to increase their earning potential in the job market. 

For more info about the Automotive Technology program on the Raymond Campus, contact Steve Miller at SMMiller@hindscc.edu or click the button below:

Note: This program is also offered at the Rankin and Utica campuses
Rankin - 601.936.5522 • Raymond - 601.857.3299 • Utica - 601.885.7009

Student recipients of the “Outstanding Student Awards” presented on April 11, 2014 at Students Awards Day were selected by the faculty in the various departments across the district. Here on the Raymond campus our Career Technical Education students receiving awards are especially special to us and we would like to recognize their superior achievement within their subject area by letting you get to know them a little better. Here are a few of their instructors’ comments and thoughts from awards day concerning their students. 

John Mark Kirby - Agriculture

John Mark Kirby is the recipient of the “Outstanding Student Award” for Agriculture. While at Hinds he has been an active member of the HCC Agriculture Club and Phi Theta Kappa. Kirby is also a Dean’s Scholar. During his spare time, John Mark has participated in Intramural Sports at the college. John Mark is the recipient of a Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship and has assisted the Cattlemen’s Association with projects including helping with the Beef Booth at the Mississippi State Fair.

John Mark has started his own cattle herd and is responsible for the care and maintenance of the cattle and pasture that is required for them. After completing his degree at Hinds he plans to transfer to Mississippi State to continue his education in Agriculture Information Science. Dr. Roger Jones, Agriculture Department Chair and Instructor, said, “I am excited about his possible contributions to the Industry in the future.”

John Mark is the son of Lea and Tim Kirby of Raymond.  He is a graduate of Central Hinds Academy where he was All District in football and received the Cougar Spirit Award.  John Mark was an active member of the Hinds County Livestock Club for a number of years where he exhibited champion livestock at the Hinds County Livestock Show, Southwest Mississippi Show and Dixie National Roundup. He was president of the 4H Hinds County Livestock Club from 2010-2013. 

Tandon Baker - Agribusiness Management Technology

Tandon Baker is recipient of the “Outstanding Student Award” for Agribusiness Management Technology. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and HCC Agriculture Club. Tandon is a Dean’s Scholar with a cumulative GPA of 3.76.

Tandon plans to continue his education at a university majoring in Agronomy upon graduation from Hinds. His career goal is to become involved in the field of Agriculture Supplies and Sales. He has been awarded the Tallulah Mason’s Honesty and Integrity Award. Dr. Roger Jones, Agriculture Department Chair and Instructor said, “Upon getting to know Tandon it is not hard to understand why.  If you want his honest opinion on a topic, just ask him and that’s exactly what you get and you learn to appreciate that about him. I know his contributions in the field of agriculture in the future will be many.”

Tandon is the son of Vicki and John Edward Baker from Tallulah, Louisiana. He graduated from Tallulah Academy where he was All District and Defensive MVP in football. A multiple sport player, Tandon was also All District in baseball and basketball.  

Cory Pritchard - Aviation Maintenance

The Aviation Maintenance Technology Program proudly recognizes Cory Pritchard with its Superior Achievement Award for 2013-2014. According to Marion Eifling, Air Frame Power Plant Instructor, students in Aviation Maintenance are unique. Usually, from a young age, they have had a desire to be around airplanes, leading them to a professional career in the aerospace industry. Cory Pritchard is pursuing his associate degree in AviationMaintenance Technology.  While a student at Hinds, he is also working as a full-time employee of L-3, an aerospace systems organization. As expected of all students in the program, he is of exceptional integrity, high moral character and a responsible individual with dependable work ethics. We selected this individual because of the initiative he takes as he participates in the classroom and hangar work projects. He can always be depended upon to be on time and present for work and accomplishes assigned tasks with skill and minimal supervision.  His quiet demeanor, dedication and professionalism are traits that make him stand out among his peers. 

Tracey Blocker - Interpreter Training Technology

Sandra Hester, Interpreter Training Department Chairperson, presented the Interpreter Training Technology “Outstanding Student Award” to Tracy Blocker. Tracy is what we call a “non-traditional” student but she is also oneof the most “traditional” students I have ever had the pleasure of having. While Tracey waited until her daughter was ready for college to return to pursue her own degree, Tracey wasn’t wasting time. And she doesn’t waste it now. With a 4.0 GPA and being a member of the PTK and very active in her church, Ridgecrest Baptist Church, she tries to do it all. And pretty much succeeds. She is a favorite with her teachers as well as her peers, due to her willingness to work and help others. Tracey has already taken the state exam for interpreters and has received a QA Level 2! She also has a job lined up after graduation, where else but here at Hinds as an interpreter with the Disability Support Services Office. She has worked hard and is now reaping the benefits. 

Craig Gilbert - Land Surveying

Jeff Lewis, Drafting and Design instructor and PLS, presented the “Outstanding Student Award” to Craig Gilbert. Craig is a Land Surveying Major in the Drafting and Design Program and will graduate in May. He is an exceptional student. He always gives 110% in all of his study efforts, which is reflected in his grades. He does everything to insure that he understands the material; including staying late, asking questions or anything else he feels can help him achieve his goals. Quick story:  The only time he didn’t do well on a test is after he met his current girlfriend Clair. He came into class looking all confused on test day. I asked him what’s wrong; he said “I think I’m in love”. That was not his best test grade.

He is the recipient of:

National Society of Professional Surveyors Berntsen International Scholarship.

• The Mississippi Association of Professional Surveyors Scholarship.

• Inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society.

• Made the dean’s list every semester here at Hinds.

It has truly been a pleasure having Craig in the Land Surveying Program and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors.