MCC wins competitions four years in a row

Whether it’s programming a machine, or using the machine itself, these MCC students are working hard towards their degree in precision machining engineering technology.

“Trade schools are vital to the economy. There is no way that the country can continue with the mentality that everyone must go to a four-year university. Sixty-five percent of the jobs out there require some type of technical skill. Our students are coming out their first year averaging 52,000 a year, and these are normally 20-year-old graduates.” -Brian Warren, Division Chair, Indust. Tech., MCC

Last week, some of these students were in a competition at Skills USA, which is a national organization where community colleges come together, to showcase their skills.

“We went in a room and they’d give us a print and a test, and we’d have to go through that. So, we had a bunch of different aspects, not just writing the program. We actually had to have knowledge of what we were doing. So, they would make us take the test and then we’d write a program for the print that they gave us.” -Brandon Gray, Sophomore: MCC

Students William Hover III, Brandon Gray, and Wesley Upchurch won first place in all three competitions in CNC Milling, Turning, and Technician.

“We really get into this and so do the other community colleges. It’s good for them to go out and really put their skills to the test up to the best of the best, and it’s a good proving ground for them. It’s highly competitive and highly spirited.” -Warren

“I actually got to do a job shadow with Brian. I got to kind of see the course before I even came in as a student. So, I said yeah I’ll try it out and I’ve loved it ever since. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” -Gray

These three students will now go to Louisville, Kentucky in the summer to represent the state of Mississippi and have also each received a 1,000 dollar scholarship. This is the fourth year in a row that MCC has won all three competitions.