David New of Knoxville, a graduate of the University of Tennessee who majored in Asian Studies, hopes to launch a new career in Electricity and Electronics when he graduates from the Tennessee Technology Center at Elizabethton in December.
"I had planned to go onto graduate school and teach, eventually. I got married, had a son and that changed my plans entirely," New said.
New worked in Internet support for Comcast in Knoxville prior to moving to Johnson City to allow him to enroll in the electricity and electronics program at TTC-Elizabethton. "It is something I have always been interested in. My grandfather was an electrical engineer," he said.
After working in a Call Center, New decided he wanted something more technical that offered job security. "As long as people have lights in their houses and heat their homes, there will always be a need for a licensed electrician. Electronics is extremely helpful because many older electricians don't have knowledge of the electronics aspect," he said.
The electricity/electronic program at TTC-Elizabethton takes 12 to 16 months to complete. It prepares graduates for the State Electrical Exam to become a licensed electrician. New learned about the program from his mother-in-law, Pam Martin, who enrolled in the practical nursing program at TTC-Elizabethton after being laid off from her job. Ms. Martin, an LPN, is currently employed at Johnson City Medical Center.
New believes the training he receives at the technology center in Elizabethton will give him a competitive edge as new electronic and digital products make their way to the marketplace. "It is getting more technical just to heat and light your home," he said.
When New is not in class at TTC-Elizabethton, he is employed as a sales representative at Best Buy in Johnson City.
Back to Home page