Hot in the Shops- January 2023

WyoTech welcomed a group of new students to start off the new year!

On Monday, January 2^nd, WyoTech welcomed 130 new students into their classes.  These students are spread out evenly across our programs, bringing a fresh excitement to learn to the Automotive, Diesel, and Collision and Refinishing.  Many of these students, having come from out of state, had to fight their way through a winter storm that occurred over the weekend, demonstrating their enthusiasm and determination to begin their training in the trades industry.  Gage Hanson, a Diesel student, had a 14 hour drive to get from his hometown in Oregon to Laramie.  Having gotten stuck in Rock Springs, Wyoming, for a couple days, he got a first-hand experience of the beautiful Wyoming weather.  “I knew Rock Springs pretty well by the end of it,” he jokes.  He recommends that other students from out of state learn to layer their winter gear and “dress warm.”

Many students have taken full advantage of the cold weather to learn how to ski, snowboard, icefish, and other winter sports.  They have bonded with fellow students and cultivated lifelong friendships through many of these activities, and many say they cannot wait to get out and enjoy the outdoors again.

About WyoTech

Forge your path at WyoTech in Laramie, Wyoming. We are a destination school for future technicians pursuing full-time training in Automotive, Diesel, and Collision & Refinishing. Pair your core training with six specialty programs in Street Rod, High-Performance Power Trains, Applied Service Management, Chassis Fabrication, Advanced Diesel, and Trim & Upholstery.

First Seen on: Hot in the Shops- January 2023

January 2023 Student Spotlight

Connor Salsberry, an Automotive and HPPT student at WyoTech, speaks about his passion for helping people through Christ and the Automotive industry.  From Bettendorf, Iowa, Connor became interested in the trades when he saw the need in the industry and realized that was how he could help people.  He says that when he saw a person on the side of the road who needed help, he wanted to be able to stop and give them a hand.  He was drawn to WyoTech because of the hands-on work and the short timeframe, allowing him to be out in the industry in as little as 9 months after starting school.  When arriving here, however, Connor was immediately drawn to the community and the amazing instructors.  Describing his passion as “Following Christ and going wherever He wants me to,” Connor’s long-term goal is to start his own shop- something that will allow him to raise and support a family, and continue to help people along the way. 

Connor also shares an excerpt from his journal on his thought process when deciding to come to WyoTech, in case it helps anyone else who is still deciding - “I would say to do it.  It’s good to get away from home and learn to be your own person, learn to be independent.  It’s ok to be afraid, but it is so important that you don’t give into fear.  Embrace the adversity in your life, because it doesn’t get easier, you get stronger.  To quote Rocky Balboa, “The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows, it can be a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.”  So don’t let it, especially not with fear.  Fear is the enemy’s weapon of choice to keep you down.  Get up and take the helm, and go where you need to go.  No matter how high the waves get, fight back, be strong and courageous, persevere through the storms.  No matter how hard it gets, always remember that God is great and powerful.  He created everything around you, He created YOU, and with Him you are never alone.”

Article Source over here: January 2023 Student Spotlight

January 2023 Alumni Spotlight

Julia Brueggen tackles a unique aspect in the trades industry.  From Westby, Wisconsin, she took Collision and Refinishing, Diesel Technology, and Applied Service Management.  She was drawn to WyoTech because her brother had attended a few years prior.  She had grown up helping him paint equipment on their parents’ farm, and a few months after she graduated from high school, she knew she wanted to turn it into her career.  Having graduated from WyoTech in 2014, Julia is currently using her education to run her own body shop for semis and trailers.  They do complete truck builds and paint work, along with painting and customizing trailers.  She also occasionally gets to do smaller projects such as classic cars, tractors, and equipment. 

            Julia recognizes WyoTech’s influence in her accomplishments.  After working for a few different shops in the industry, she knew that she needed to start her own.  “Every job along the way was a piece to the puzzle, every job consisted of a vital part in being able to do everything from start to finish now.”  Taking ASM at WyoTech also was a huge help in being able to start her own business.  She also speaks to being a woman in a male dominated industry, and is proud to have made a name for herself.  She says that her shop, though it is only a 2-man shop, consistently has many customers come to them because of the amount of detail and craftsmanship they put into their work (see attached picture). She says that WyoTech was instrumental in giving her the steppingstone into the career field.  “I would not have landed my job at Peterbilt in the body shop if I would not have gone for both Diesel and Collision and Refinishing. Peterbilt played a large role in pushing toward opening my own business, working on both show trucks and everyday work trucks. I knew that one day I needed to make it happen.  Applied Service Management was also a very educational part, it has played a large role in business operations.”  Julia recommends that WyoTech students take ASM, even if they think they will never use it.  She says it will not only help you build structure, but it will also give you the tools and knowledge you need to start your own business.  She offers final advice as well- “You get out what you put in.  If you try your hardest and participate, it will greatly help you along the way. Take part in community activities and create an image for yourself.”

Originally Posted over here: January 2023 Alumni Spotlight

December 2022 Student Spotlight

Jonathan Brown moved from Virginia to Wyoming in order to pursue his dream of adventure and the trades.  Knowing that a traditional college or university experience wasn’t for him, Jonathan decided to go to WyoTech to have get a fresh start and try something new.  He also wanted to get to work as soon as he could, so WyoTech’s 9-month program was a huge selling point.  Taking Diesel and Street Rod, he isn’t quite sure what he wants to do after school yet.  His goal is to find the best job he can, where he can fulfill his passion of making people’s lives easier and better.  Outside of school, he works as a tutor for other WyoTech students.  He also enjoys going to the Bible study that is hosted on campus and hanging out with friends and fellow classmates. 

First Seen here: December 2022 Student Spotlight

Hot in the Shops- December 2022

With graduation just around the corner, every shop is buzzing with projects and activity. In the Powertrains phase in Diesel, students are learning how to remove, rebuild, and replace transmissions, differentials, clutches, and more.  They also learn about semi brakes, wheels and tires.  As students finish their comps, they are looking forward to going home for their Christmas break.  In Automotive, the Chassis phase is covering the same things in relation to gasoline-powered vehicles- brakes, tires, wheels, rotors, and more. 

In Refinishing II, the students are learning spot repairs and how to properly detail a car. In addition, they are continuing the ski gondola they’ve been working on for Jeff Robinson, one of their instructors.  They are putting a coat of primer on it in order to move onto the next steps of turning it into a hot chocolate house.  Jeff in return is showing them how to wax their skis and snowboards, reflecting the true family culture of WyoTech. 

About WyoTech

Forge your path at WyoTech in Laramie, Wyoming. We are a destination school for future technicians pursuing full-time training in Automotive, Diesel, and Collision & Refinishing. Pair your core training with six specialty programs in Street Rod, High-Performance Power Trains, Applied Service Management, Chassis Fabrication, Advanced Diesel, and Trim & Upholstery.

Originally Posted here: Hot in the Shops- December 2022

December 2022 Alumni Spotlight

Troy Gutheil is using his WyoTech education to blaze a trail in the industry.  Troy is from Blair, Nebraska, and took Collision and Refinishing with Chassis Fabrication back in 2010.  He was attracted to WyoTech because he liked the hands-on part of the education WyoTech offered.  He now uses this education in his every day work, running his own off-roading shop.  He uses the skills he learned in Chassis Fabrication in almost every single job he does.  Troy says that he has run his shop for about 10 years with the help of his training at WyoTech, and that it is doing very well.  He offers a piece of encouragement to any WyoTech students and graduates  - “I was very nervous after the school programs on where I was going to go and what I was going to do when I left WyoTech.  I’ve learned to just go out and do it.  Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and show people the skills you have and what you’ve learned.  If you fail, just get up and try again.  Don’t hold back from following your dream.”

About WyoTech

Forge your path at WyoTech in Laramie, Wyoming. We are a destination school for future technicians pursuing full-time training in Automotive, Diesel, and Collision & Refinishing. Pair your core training with six specialty programs in Street Rod, High-Performance Power Trains, Applied Service Management, Chassis Fabrication, Advanced Diesel, and Trim & Upholstery.

Article Source right here: December 2022 Alumni Spotlight

November 2022 Alumni Spotlight

Kaycie Ortega is a great example of how WyoTech students can make an impact in the industry.

Raised in Laramie, Wyoming, Kaycie grew up with a love of the automotive industry.  Her dad being an instructor at WyoTech, she was raised to know the importance and the distinctiveness of the world of cars.  This was one of the main things that drew her to WyoTech’s Automotive and Trim and Upholstery programs.  While she was here, she decided to take Street Rod and Applied Service Management as well.  Graduating from WyoTech in September of 2013, she has worked in a few different aspects of the industry, but is currently using the education and experience she has gained to work on aircraft.  “The knowledge of the tools I attained from WyoTech continue to help me in my everyday work.”

Kaycie also offers a piece of advice to anyone considering attending or currently attending WyoTech- “Learn everything that you can from the instructors, then use that knowledge to help you strive for the future you want to achieve.  No question is a dumb question, so don’t be afraid to ask; the answer may be something you will use for the rest of your life.”

About WyoTech

Forge your path at WyoTech in Laramie, Wyoming. We are a destination school for future technicians pursuing full-time training in Automotive, Diesel, and Collision & Refinishing. Pair your core training with six specialty programs in Street Rod, High-Performance Power Trains, Applied Service Management, Chassis Fabrication, Advanced Diesel, and Trim & Upholstery.

Originally Posted here: November 2022 Alumni Spotlight