Industrial Engineering grad working as lab technician at KEB America
Logan Chapman, 23, graduated in August 2020 with his diploma from the Industrial Engineering Technician program at Dakota County Technical College. Logan now works as a lab technician at KEB America in Shakopee, Minnesota. KEB America is a leading manufacturer of automation products, including industrial PCs, HMIs, I/O modules, VFDs, servo and induction motors and integral gearmotors.
“I help set up and operate tests for the R & D department at KEB,” Logan said. “We test electromechanical products for applications in real-world environments.”
Before coming to DCTC, Logan attended Inver Hills Community College, graduating in 2018 with a diploma from the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Paramedic program.
“Initially I wanted to be a paramedic right out of high school,” he said. “But as I continued further into the program, doing ridealongs full-time and attending school full-time while also working a retail job, I got burned out on it. I’ve always wanted to help others, and I also like fixing things, coming up with solutions and working with my hands. I figured the engineering field would fit really well with my interests. And now that I work with electrical, mechanical and software engineers daily, I know I’ve made the right decision.”
Logan graduated from Rosemount High School, Class of 2016. His academic performance at DCTC earned him induction into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Along with his two diplomas, Logan has a number of certificates in conjunction with EMS and industrial engineering, including OSHA 30 certification and a Minnesota Boiler Operator’s Special License.
Logan is looking forward to continuing his education at DCTC in fall 2021. “My short-term college plans are to get an A.A.S. degree in Industrial Engineering along with starting and finishing a Technical Management A.A.S,” he said. “Depending on time and money, I’d like to get a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. As of now, the best options for that appear to be at either Dunwoody or the University of Minnesota. Beyond that, I’d like to get a master’s and some day a Ph.D. just because I enjoy learning and accomplishing measurable and tangible goals.”
“Industrial Engineering is a great program for people who enjoy figuring out how things work and enjoy pursuing a wide variety of information. If you’re naturally curious and have lots of questions about how things work, this is a good place to be.”
Logan Chapman
2020 Industrial Engineering Technician Graduate
Dakota County Technical College
As his career unfolds, Logan can see himself growing into positions with more responsibility. He is looking forward to expanding his engineering know-how and skill set.
“To me, the community where I work is more important than the job I’m doing,” he said. “I want to find a place where I feel valued, know I can help others and have mobility in my company. Right now, I think the best way to do that is to start out at a technician level and then work my way up to a supervisor or manager position. I’ve also considered starting as a technician somewhere and working more into the traditional engineering field in a role other than technician.”
In his free time, Logan enjoys reading, fishing, hiking, grilling, watching TV and movies, and hanging out with friends and family. He has one brother, Brandon, age 27. Logan resides in Rosemount, Minnesota.
More about the Industrial Engineering Technician program
Take your solid mechanical aptitude to the next level
With training provided by the Industrial Engineering Technician program, you will have the skills and knowledge you need to secure employment at manufacturing facilities and energy plants. Modern industrial sites have changed dramatically from years ago, and are sophisticated and require highly skilled workers to take on daily operational and maintenance responsibilities.
As a student in this program, you will obtain a foundation in the theory, application and principles required to sustain these complicated environments. This training includes the proper installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of the following types of equipment:
- Mechanical
- Electrical
- Electronic
- Electromechanical
- Hydraulic
- Pneumatic power
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
The program also focuses on the following training topics:
- Blueprint reading
- Welding
- Mechatronics
- Troubleshooting/problem solving
- Preventative/predictive maintenance
- Safety
Joe Mollner, Industrial Engineering Technician faculty, reported that the program just finished a complete curriculum overhaul.
“Industrial engineering technicians earn good money and receive great benefits,” Joe said. “This occupational path is exciting and rewarding—every day will bring new and different challenges.”
Joe reported that program graduates get opportunities to work in premier industries that lead the way in incorporating new technologies.
“The Industrial Engineering Technician program at DCTC is a pivotal step on your career path if you have a mechanical aptitude and good problem-solving skills, and also take great pride in your work,” he said.
Logan Chapman gallery
Logan Chapman • Q & A
What did you like best about the Industrial Engineering Technician program?
I personally liked learning about the electrical field the best. I find it very interesting and that knowledge allowed me to better understand different sustainable energy solutions, which is one of my biggest career passions. I also enjoyed how broad a learning spectrum the program offered. This program can prepare a person for many careers and paths.
What do you find most interesting about industrial engineering?
What’s most interesting to me is the wide variety of duties that an industrial engineer is capable of accomplishing. It seems to me that industrial engineering is kind of a cross between mechanical and electrical engineering and opens up a lot of career possibilities, depending on what a person wants to do for work. I like to imagine that I’ll end up working in renewable energy as I find that incredibly interesting, and also will be greatly expanded on as the future comes.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job as an industrial engineering tech?
The most challenging part of my job is having an understanding of all the tests that are occurring here. Having 99 percent of my coworkers be engineers with much more experience in the field and more education than me makes me work harder to keep up with the tests.
Three words that describe you as an industrial engineering technician:
DETAIL-ORIENTED. CURIOUS. DILIGENT.
What advice would you give students thinking about majoring in industrial engineering technology?
This is a great program for people who enjoy figuring out how things work and enjoy pursuing a wide variety of information. If you’re naturally curious and have lots of questions about how things work, this is a good place to be.
What person has influenced you the most in life and why?
I don’t think there’s any single person who has influenced me the most. I’ve been influenced by family, friends and teachers my whole life.
Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
Honestly, I have no real idea. I’m just working on figuring out life year by year.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
INTERESTING
Logan Chapman • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: I’m not a big sports guy, but I like fishing.
Place you would most like to visit: I’d like to see plenty of places. I’m not very well traveled. Going north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska sounds like fun.- The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: As an EMT, there were a lot of exciting days working. Probably the most notable was being one of the first responders at the Minnehaha Academy explosion a few years ago.
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: While I’d like to say I’d buy a fancy house and some cool vehicles, I’d probably be a lot more boring and 1) Get a financial advisor 2) Save/ invest 3) Pay off any bills my family has
- Favorite TV show you’re watching now: Shadow and Bone
- Time period you would explore if you could time travel: I’d be most interested in exploring some point in the future so I could see the sort of technological advances that are going to be made.
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Never stop learning. If I’m still learning new things when I’m 50 I’ll be happy.
Your national bird if you were your own country: Heron- Dream occupation: Professional singer
- Person you would most like to meet: The members of the YouTube channel, Smosh
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Playing piano
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: One of the main issues facing humankind, in my opinion, is our reliance on nonrenewable resources and a political opposition to moving toward a sustainable future.
Learn more about the Industrial Engineering Technician program at DCTC by contacting:
Joe Mollner
Industrial Engineering Technician Faculty
651-423-8459
Don Deutsch
Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology Faculty
651-423-8468
Natalie Shrestha
Academic and Financial Aid Advisor
651-423-8537
Industrial Engineering Technicians
Help industrial engineers design processes to make better use of resources at work sites.
WAGE
This career pays above the statewide median wage of $21.49/hour
Minnesota
Median: $25.26/hour
High: $30.34/hourSeven-county Twin Cities metro
Median: $26.41/hour
High: $31.27/hourOUTLOOK
This career is currently in high demand. Growth rate in the Minnesota is 2.3 percent.
There will be a need for about 3,416 new Industrial Engineering Technicians to meet market demand between 2018–2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
EMPLOYMENT
In Minnesota, there are 3,500 workers employed in this small career.
Where do Industrial Engineering Technicians most often work?
- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
- Machinery Manufacturing
- Miscellaneous Manufacturing
- Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
- Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing
TYPICAL WORK TASKS
People who work in this career often:
- Inspect and Maintain Operational Processes
- Install Industrial Equipment
- Monitor Processes for Compliance with Industrial Standards
- Prepare detailed work plans.
- Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes, and products.
- Analyze, test, and validation data.
Click image below to watch a CAREERwise Industrial Engineering Technician video:
— Minnesota State CAREERwise Education
