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 Since 1990, AMT member companies have been able to offer qualified students a two-year academic scholarship funded by AMT to encourage talented students to consider careers in manufacturing technology. The company selects the students and offers them work-training employment. More than 130 students have entered the program, which currently awards $4,000 per student annually.
In 1993 Jennifer Steigerwalt enrolled at the Schuylkill Training and Technology Center in Frackville, Pa., and earned a certificate in electro-mechanical technology. After graduation she accepted a position at Silicon Power Controls as a Panel Builder. She spent five years there and was cross-trained in inside sales and customer service.
In 2001 she joined Eitel Presses Inc. in Orwigsburg, Pa., as an Electrician/Panel Builder and, at the same time, decided to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology at Lehigh Carbon Community College. Two years later she took on additional responsibilities in Eitel’s Engineering Department, initially updating electrical drawings in AutoCAD and then moving into machine startups/debug and programming. She traveled to Canada, Mexico, Germany, and throughout the United States providing customer onsite service and support.
By the fall of 2005 she received her A.A.S. degree and applied to the Pennsylvania State University to study for a bachelor’s degree in electro-mechanical engineering technology. Jennifer is now a senior at Penn State with a GPA of 3.96 and is the recipient of an AMT scholarship.
She continues to work part time at Eitel with responsibilities in electrical design and schematics development utilizing AutoCAD, creating instruction manuals, and assisting with mechanical schematics development. “Clearly, the hands-on experience at Eitel has been very beneficial in my course work,” she says. “My future plans include taking the PE exam and pursuing a master’s degree.”
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