The Ones Who Made It

Leroy|Tracy|Reuben|Therese|Mike|Lee|James

Leroy Valdez, 21, West Mesa HS Graduate and Electronics Fabricator

Tony Montoya and Leroy Valdez discuss making a bracket.

"The best thing about this program is to know my potential of what I could achieve. The more I learn at T-VI, the better pay I can have at Sandia. In high school, I didn’t care so much because I had no idea what I would do with myself after school. Now, I have a great opportunity for a great career.

"I expected something different when I came to Sandia. I expected Sandians to be way up there. But everybody is real down-to-earth. They have labs, people making things.

Leroy Valdez works on an AutoCAD layout for a part that will be machined via laser.

"I made myself believe I could do it. I already liked the idea of electronics and making things. As a Trades Trainee, I make chassis, racks, cables, and layouts on AutoCAD. We cut holes in panels to make things fit. We fabricate things for the weapons group and telemetry. It’s pretty cool."

At West Mesa, Leroy took classes in metalworking, drafting, and automotive areas, as well as others. "It really prepared me for this."

Tracy Lovato, 24, Associates of Applied Science Degree, Electronics Fabricator

Tracy Lovato tests connections for an electronics application.

In May 1999, Tracy became a student intern at Sandia and then became a Limited Term Employee at Sandia in July 2000. "The program has changed my life because it has given me a lifetime career. I never thought I could be working at Sandia. I thought it was only for smart people. I didn’t want to go to college after high school, I just wanted to get a job. But I found out that without an education, you don’t make much. This is a way to learn fast and get into the work force quickly."

After High School, Will You Be Flipping Burgers, Unloading Trucks in a Warehouse, or Flying on the Fast Track?

"After high school, I did everything. I worked at Wal-Mart in the warehouse, I built trusses, I spent ten years breaking my back. I went back to school because I didn’t want to have to work outside anymore! I wanted to have something that no one could take away from me. They can take your job away, but they can’t take away your education, your experience, or your background."

Therese Borrego, 27, Student Intern, Electronics Technology

"If it wasn’t for this program, I wouldn’t have been given the opportunity to work at Sandia. My perception of Sandia was that it was very elitist. I thought that only people with Masters degrees could work here. But they have people with all levels of degrees.

I feel very happy that I got this opportunity. The pay is very nice, especially since I am getting an education at the same time. It’s very hands-on."

Mike "Madness" Maness, 39, Student Intern, Electronics Fabricator

"I stayed at home with my kids for seven years. Before that, I was an aircraft mechanic but it only paid $6 an hour.

"What I like about this program is that you’re not locked in to a certain area. It’s challenging. You get good benefits. I have a good mechanical aptitude.

"My advice to new students: Don’t give up! It’s easy to want to quit. But sticking with it really makes your life easier in the long run."

Nontraditional Students (the Older Ones!) also Find a Path to Sandia

Lee Carlson, 34, Associates of Applied Science Degree, T-VI, Electronics Fabricator

Lee Carlson checks the wiring in a cable.

"My advice to students who are coming up now: Take science and math courses, big time."

James Randolph, 18, West Mesa HS Graduate, Student Intern, Electronics Fabrication

"I didn’t know what I wanted to do. But I never thought about Sandia, because I thought it would be too high-tech. I thought you’d have to have a lot more education to be here. The hardest part was putting together my resume. I was intimidated before I had my interview, but the people from Sandia were nice and fairly laid back.

"I can actually breathe here. Other jobs are less pay and are harder work physically. I’d rather not be flipping burgers.

"The biggest benefit is the bucks. No, actually, it’s seeing just what I can be. When I was little, teachers yelled at me. I was labeled with having a learning disability when I was younger. But I’m finding out that I can do this. I’m discovering my potential."

 
AME Program Contact
Dominique Foley Wilson - dfoley@sandia.gov
Sandia National Laboratories
P. O. Box 5800, MS 1351
Albuquerque, NM 87185-1351
Phone: (505) 844-1315 Fax: (505) 844-1228