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Imagine your daily life. You get out of bed, brush your teeth, find some coffee, get in a car or other mode of transportation, go to class, write or type notes, use tools of your trade, get fries for lunch, stop in the Bookstore for a snack, head home, microwave food for dinner, do your homework while listening to a playlist on your earbuds, waste some time on your phone, brush your teeth again, and head back to bed.

Almost everything you interacted with during the day is there for you thanks to manufacturing engineering.

Gone are days of people on a line assembling pieces – much of the industry is automated these days with machines and robots operated by skilled workers who know how to bring visions to life.

ˮ���� provides training and education for people who want to be a part of those visions. From creating products to maintaining the robots that piece together small parts, students get ˮ���� degrees that enable them to be a part of the engineering and manufacturing process.

When Samantha Petzel was little, she and her sister would go with their dad to RD Machines in Hutchinson if he needed to get some weekend hours in. Seeing the addition of robots to processes and all the increased technology fascinated her.

So during a career fair in high school, she checked out the robotics career field. From there, Petzel searched for the best robotics programs in Minnesota and found ˮ����’s Robotics & Industrial Controls program. After a tour, she felt it was the best fit.

“All the labs and trainers they have are really amazing,” Petzel said.

Coming from the small town of Arlington and a small high school, ˮ���� was an easy transition. Because it’s a small campus and the class sizes are small, it didn’t feel as overwhelming when she started. Plus, she has more one-on-one time with instructors and opportunities for friendships and connections.

The Robotics & Industrial Controls program had another selling point for Petzel: its hybrid schedule.

“We’ve redesigned our programs to meet students where they are—whether they’re working full-time, raising a family, or just need more flexibility. It’s a win-win for learners and local industry,” shared instructor Aaron Barker.

Lectures are available online via D2L every Friday at 4 p.m. Once the online lecture is finished, students can come to campus and complete the hands-on lab portion of the class. The labs are open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and the instructors are there and ready to help.

“I can work around my schedule,” Petzel explained. “I can still work during the week to add to my internship and make some money, and I still have time to see my friends and be a kid while going to college.”

This is Petzel’s second year in the program, and she’s working on two degrees: Mechatronics and Robotics & Automation. Over the summer, she interned at Resonetics in Hutchinson, which manufactures medical devices. Having the hands-on experience in the Robotics & Industrial Controls labs with the machines she would be installing and maintaining was key: “It really helps the transition going into a manufacturing setting.”

After she graduates from ˮ����, she sees Resonetics being a good fit for her; she likes the environment and the people. But Petzel’s going to keep her options open and would even consider expanding her education in the future if it makes sense for her and her career.

One thing is certain for her career: automation in the manufacturing field continues to expand, and there will be a need for people just like Petzel, with the skills to install, operate, repair, and maintain the machines that put together everything we see in our daily lives.

 ˮ���� was just the place for Petzel, offering flexible schedules, new equipment used by industry, and instructors who want to see her succeed. With her two degrees, she’ll be ready to be a part of the future.

“It’s been amazing, and I love this career path so far.” She smiled and gave a peace sign. “Co Cyclones.”