President Chad Campbell, along with the BATC Board Members congratulated Ben on a job well done and presented him with a $1,000 check. Ben will also be a student speaker at the BATC Graduation Ceremony in December. We are proud of Ben and his accomplishments.
Ben’s Story
My name is Ben Olsen and most of my adult life, I have spent in the military. My skills before school involved weapon systems, tactical leadership, small unit tactics, analytical work and briefings. After the military I did a few jobs looking for a career field.
Ironically I started robotics and automation school on a lark. All in one year I had endured several surgeries due to my military life and a car accident. I was laid up and could not work and was trying to figure out where to go in life. My mother told me about the Robotics and Automation program offered at the BATC. I decided I was doing nothing and should pursue an education while healing from the surgeries.
My goal was to start in 01 February 2016 and finish no later than January 2017 with the smaller certificate. Close to finishing this program, I adjusted my goals and am now pursuing the higher certificate at 1,410 hours – Controls Engineering, expecting to be done before July 2017.
After [I finish] school, the career field offers many areas to specialize in from the physical and maintenance area, programming, electrical and such. We focus on 3D modeling, advanced composites, packaging, small and large products and so forth.
Robotics and Automation offers a wide field in which it can make a difference, from hospital work and automotive manufacturing, to robotics and automation supporting the military, aircraft work and more. Every part of a machine that works in conjunction with a computer to make a system function as it is supposed to all have a foundation in programming, aka automation and robotics. At BATC we are taught the basic for all of it.
I have had an overall wonderful experience learning about Robotics and Automation; and although I have not always enjoyed every aspect of it, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about Robotics and Automation here, and have further enjoyed the support and teaching of the BATC in both Brigham City, Utah and Logan, Utah. The teachers have all made me grow and learn, even in my adulthood, in ways I did not expect and have made me even more professional in the civilian environment.
Ben will be moving on to the UCAT (Utah College of Applied Technology) Student of the Year competition held January 21, 2016, at a Gala in honor of the eight winners in the State of Utah. The grand prize winner will receive additional prizes, which includes the two-year lease of a new Ford Focus. We wish you the best of luck!