Graduating from high school is an exciting time for students but can also cause anxiety about the future. This was not the case for Frank O’Neill, a 2014 graduate of Hudson High School, who secured a job at a locally-based manufacturing company before even graduating and turning 18.
O’Neill completed the Mechanical Technology program (which is being renamed 3D Printing & Prototyping for the 2015-2016 school year) at Questar III’s Columbia-Greene Educational Center (CGEC) in Hudson. The program not only provided him with the technical knowledge and skills that set him apart from his peers, but it also gave him hands-on experience at his future employer.
During his time at Questar III, O’Neill completed an internship at Saturn Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturing company in the design and fabrication of EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) electrodes and tooling. When a position became available, O’Neill applied and was offered the job.
O’Neill initially became interested in mechanical technology through his participation in Hudson High School’s robotics team. After attending an Open House at the CGEC and seeing the computer numerical control (CNC) machine, he was hooked and enrolled in the two-year program.
“Frank was an excellent student who had a perfectionist’s attitude,” said Questar III teacher George Amann. “He tries his hardest, acts in the most professional way possible at everything he does and because of this, Frank is very successful today.”
O’Neill recently returned to Amann’s class to speak to current students about the benefits of hands-on learning and how it provided a pathway to his current position at Saturn.
Looking ahead to the future, O’Neill said he would like to continue his education to support his machinist position at Saturn.
