Hinds Community College Blog

Diesel Equipment Technology - Career training, credentials and a paycheck in your pocket!

What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s been said that people spend more time planning their vacations than their careers. Since a big part of your life is what you do for a living, career planning is something everyone should do. Vacations are “special” but shouldn’t your career be special too? Let's start planning your career! Are you customer service oriented? Do you possess mechanical and trouble shooting skills? Do you like knowing how things operate? All of these are characteristics of a diesel equipment technician. Let's take a look at the Diesel Equipment Technology program at Hinds Community College's Raymond Campus.

The Diesel Equipment Technology program provides students with competencies required to maintain and repair a variety of industrial diesel equipment including agricultural tractors, commercial trucks, and construction equipment. The program includes instruction in inspection, repair, and maintenance of engines, power trains, hydraulic systems, and other components.  The curriculum is based upon the ASE Certification for Medium/Heavy Truck Technician Training Programs, which serves as a national standard for certification of technicians.

What Diesel Mechanics/Technicians Do?

Diesel service technicians inspect and repair equipment such as trucks, dozers, cranes and commercial boats as well as medium duty vehicles powered by diesel engines. They may work on everything from a vehicle’s electrical system to the power train.

As engines and other components use more electronic systems which rely on microprocessors technicians often use hand-held or laptop computers to diagnose problems and adjust engine functions. In addition, diesel mechanics use a variety of power and machine tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, grinding machines, and welding equipment. Hand tools, including pliers, socket and ratchets, and screwdrivers, are commonly used.

Diesel service technicians and mechanics typically do the following:

• Follow a checklist of inspection procedures

• Diagnose malfunctions

• Read and interpret diagnostic test results

• Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, transmissions, engines, and other parts of vehicles

• Do routine maintenance, such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and parts

• Adjust and align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and attach system components

• Repair or replace malfunctioning components, parts, and other mechanical or electrical equipment

• Test-drive vehicles to ensure that they run smoothly

What About Job Opportunities?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for diesel service technicians and mechanics is projected to grow 9% through 2022. Demand for new workers in the freight trucking and automotive repair and maintenance industries is expected to drive overall diesel mechanic job growth.

Students will find the Diesel Equipment Technology program has an excellent reputation with local industries looking for skilled workers and placement of students who complete the program is a top priority. Graduates of the Diesel Equipment Technology program are typically employed at a variety of repair facilities that service the trucking and heavy equipment industry with an entry-level salary range of $12 to $16 hourly. 

This Diesel Equipment Technology program is located on the Raymond campus of Hinds Community College. For more information, Brent Johnson at (ABJohnson@hindscc.edu) or 601.857.3478 and Christopher Woodard at (Christopher.Woodard@hindscc.edu ) or 601.857.3424. 

Think of all your personal belongings in your dorm room or apartment, and then try to imagine how much it would cost you to replace them. Is the number in your head a little intimidating? Well, if you have renters insurance, you might not have to pay anything to get your belongings replaced in the event that something happens to them. In other words, renters insurance can be a real lifesaver. Here are five reasons why it’s important to have it in college:

1.  You might not be covered under your parents’ policy
While full-time students living in dorms are often covered under their parents’ homeowner’s insurance policies, their coverage might not be as thorough as it would be if they had renters insurance. In addition, there can be strict limits on how much homeowner’s insurance can actually cover for their customers’ children. And if you’re living off campus, odds are that you’re not covered under your parents’ policy at all.

2.  Coverage for disasters
Though you might be careful and take good care of your belongings, there are some things that are just out of your control. If there’s a fire or natural disaster, your items can get damaged or destroyed. However, if you have renters insurance, it can cover the cost of replacing those things in certain covered circumstances. Just some of the items that renters insurance can cover are furniture, clothes, electronics, appliances, school supplies, and even musical instruments.

3.  Protection from theft
If someone wants to steal a laptop, they know they’ll be able to find plenty in student housing facilities or student-friendly apartment complexes. It’s no surprise that there’s a high risk of theft and vandalism in college. That’s a big reason why renters insurance can be perfect for college students. If something happens to your belongings, you can get them replaced without having to pay out-of-pocket.

4.  Personal liability coverage
If you throw a party, and your living space gets damaged, you could potentially face some huge fees. The same goes if someone at that party gets hurt. Renters insurance policies often include liability coverage that will protect you against costs you can be faced with if your property gets damaged or if someone gets injured on your property, just double check with an agent to find a plan with adequate liability coverage.

5.  You can share the wealth
If renters insurance is starting to sound good, you might be thinking that your roommates would be interested in it too. Conveniently, many renters insurance plans offer shared coverage for people living together. So if you have roommates or friends sharing an apartment with you, everyone listed on the lease can have protection and coverage together under one policy.

Knowing how valuable renters insurance can be, you might be surprised to find that it can also be pretty affordable. In fact, based on a national average, premiums are typically just $160 a year. Compare that number with how much you could save if you need to file claim on your belongings. To prepare, you can help the process of filing claims go smoothly by always keeping track of your valuables, and by saving receipts.

For a quick overview of the value of renters insurance for college students, check out this video...

Septmeber is National Campus Fire Safety Month and here at Hinds CC we have a lot of things going on in support of it.

Look below and find something to come too...

Fire Safety 101 PDI
Raymond Campus – Fountain Hall
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
PDI Presentation about Fire Safety

Popcorn and Prevention
Raymond Campus – Courtyard
Thursday, September 11, 2014
12:00 PM – 2:00PM
Free Popcorn, Fire Safety Materials, and Fire Extinguisher Training (Clinton FD)

Popcorn and Prevention
Vicksburg/Warren Campus – Courtyard
Monday, September 15, 2014
11:30 AM – 1:30PM
Free Popcorn, Fire Safety Materials, and 1 Hour Fire Safety PDI (MS State Fire Marshall)

Popcorn and Prevention
Jackson ATC
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
11:30 AM – 1:30PM
Free Popcorn, Fire Safety Materials, and Fire Safety House (MS State Fire Marshall)

Popcorn and Prevention
Rankin Campus – George Wynne Hall
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
11:30 AM – 1:30PM
Free Popcorn, Fire Safety Materials, 1 Hour Fire Safety PDI (MS State Fire Marshall), and Fire Extinguisher Training (MS State Fire Academy)

Popcorn and Prevention
Nursing/Allied Health Center – Courtyard
Thursday, September 18, 2014
11:30 AM – 1:30PM
Free Popcorn, Fire Safety Materials, 1 Hour Fire Safety PDI (MS State Fire Marshall), and Fire Extinguisher Training (Clinton FD)

Popcorn and Prevention
Utica Campus – Courtyard
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
11:30 AM – 1:30PM
Free Popcorn, Fire Safety Materials, and 1 Hour Fire Safety PDI (MS State Fire Marshall)

September has been designated as “Campus Fire Safety Month”, with the goal of raising national awareness about the importance of protecting our young adults while they are away at college.

In college housing, fires average $25 million in property damages per year. Carelessness with smoking materials and candles are the leading causes of civilian campus deaths. Other common factors in campus fatalities are missing or disabled smoke detectors and impaired judgment from alcohol use.

The Office of Emergency Management suggests the following tips to reduce fire risks:

• NEVER disable smoke alarms
• Inspect exit doors and windows to make sure they are working properly
• Know how to properly notify 911 system
• Always participate in fire drills and practice escape routes
• DO NOT Smoke inside buildings or rooms
• Don’t overload electrical outlets
• Don’t burn candles
• Take EVERY alarm seriously – it could be the real event!

For more information, visit: www.CampusFireSafety.org

For two years, the Hinds CC eLearning goat has grazed in e-Learning anonymity until a he became the scapegoat for a litany of hilarious memes, musings, and puns. First, our thanks to George Takei for thrusting our goat into the bright glare of social media.

In the best interest of the goat, we decided we should milk this story just a little longer. When the photo was first proposed as the anchor image for the college’s eLearning webpage, it was met with resistance.

 “Won’t this open us up to ridicule?”  and “Is this the image you want for online education at Hinds Community College?” said the college communications vice president.

 “But, we really like this goat,” said the eLearning staff.

 “That lady's definitely learning from a distance. I think she lives by my mom,” said the Director of Web Communications.

“Really, what does a goat have to do with online learning,” countered the V.P.

“It shows that getting a college education can happen anytime, anywhere,” responded the eLearning staff.

“Well, can we at least note the goat is not a student?” asked the V.P.

Ah, a middle ground was found.

So, the goat and his keeper were left to their field of dreams.

All in all, eLearning is very fond of their animal friend. The online learning staff wants everyone to know that Canvas classes are open to all and not enrolling would be a "baaaaaaad" decision. 

For more information about Hinds CC eLearning, visit http://www.hindscc.edu/elearning.