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.

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

The Machine Tool Technology program on the Raymond Campus, along with the program instructor, Mr. Norman Trimble are excited to announce that William Tolbert placed 1^st in the state of Mississippi in the Precision Machining competition which was held recently in the Jackson metro area. This qualifies him to compete in the SkillsUSA National Championship which will be held this summer in Kansas City, Missouri. This contest brings together gold-medal winners from separate competitions at secondary and post-secondary levels across the United States. It is a multimillion-dollar event that occupies a space equivalent to 16 football fields.

Will has used these skills to gain employment at Milwaukee Tool while continuing his education. An interesting side note is that Will also placed 1st in the state in Precision Machining while a high school student at Forest High School located in Forest, Mississippi. 

In addition to Will the following students enrolled in post-secondary and secondary CTE programs in the Hinds district also placed.

Post-Secondary Winners

• William Tolbert - 1st Place Precision Machining, Hinds CC Raymond Campus

• Kolby Redmond - 2nd Place Masonry, Hinds CC Utica Campus

Secondary Winners

• Josh Manning - 3rd Place Job Interview, Pearl Rankin Career Center                     

• Kody Britt - 3rd  Place Precision Machining, Hinds Community Career Center Vicksburg 

• Frankie Greer - 2nd Place Cabinet Making, Hinds Community Career Center Vicksburg              

SkillsUSA–Mississippi is an organization serving high school and college and professional members who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations. It is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives; working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. In Mississippi more than 2,300 students and instructors join annually with 300,000 students and instructors joining SkillsUSA annually at the national level. 

The Business and Marketing Management Technology students on the Raymond Campus of Hinds Community College recently were invited to tour the headquarters of Puckett Machinery. The Caterpillar heavy-machinery dealer recently opened a 150,000-square-foot, $30 million facility, with approximately 200 employees in Flowood, Mississippi. Puckett Machinery has 5 additional dealerships located in Mississippi.                                            

Kennon Ferguson, Puckett Machinery sales manager and husband of Barbie Ferguson (Raymond campus Business and Marketing adjunct faculty), personally guided students on a tour that included the Marketing, Information Technology, Sales and Parts divisions of the company.

Mr. Ferguson emphasized the importance of the vision, mission and values of the company to the students by relaying to them that their purpose was to remind them of why they were there, where they wanted the company to go and how they wanted to get there. The core values at Puckett are integrity, excellence, teamwork and commitment.