STCC’s laser program puts student on the cutting edge
Springfield, Mass.— Every day Agawam resident Jonathan Forgue, 35, makes the short trek to East Granby, Conn. to his job as a test technician in Nufern’s fiber engineering and research development department—a job he calls the “perfect fit.” Nufern is one of the country’s leading manufacturers of fiber laser and amplifier modules and specialty optical fibers serving industrial, military/aerospace, medical, and telecom applications. Balancing work, school, and duties as a husband and father of three boys, the Springfield native and Central High School (’99) alum often finds himself in awe of how much his life has changed in just a few short years.
In 2001, Forgue enlisted in the Army Reserves just days after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Forgue said he jumped in feet first and was trained as a military technician to perform heavy equipment repairs. When his active duty was complete, Forgue said finding work, despite his rank and training in the Reserves, proved to be difficult without a degree. That’s when he made the decision to register for classes at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) to help kick-start his academic career.
Using his military benefits to put himself through school, Forgue took advantage of the GI Bill and dedicated himself to pursuing his associate degree. Treating school like a full time job, he said, allowed him to be fully focused on his studies.
“When I first walked through the door, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do,” said Forgue. “But after meeting with an advisor and getting the guidance I needed, it was suggested that I check out the Laser Electro-Optics Technology program. I ended up doing some research about the program and what it could do for me and was highly interested.”
Discovering the job possibilities available to him in the laser electro-optics field—and ultimately his position at Nufern—came as a result of Forgue’s enrollment in the program. Students are required to perform problem-based research projects with local companies as part of their curriculum, giving them hands-on experience and an opportunity to learn more than just textbook theories. In addition, Forgue took advantage of internship opportunities and was proactive with approaching potential employers, sending his resume and introducing himself whenever possible.
“The projects we completed in the program were completely relevant to what’s going on in the industry,” said Forgue. “The problem-based research projects allowed us to go in to the workplace, giving us real-world experience.”
According to STCC Laser Electro-Optics Technology Professor Dr. Nicholas Massa, many students aren’t aware of the job variety and lucrative pay available to graduates.
“Many come in thinking lasers are cool, but don’t realize it’s a really good career for them to pursue,” said Massa.
By the time students graduate, they are sought-after candidates by both regional and national employers he said. Hard-working, dedicated students like Forgue, he said, are picked-up quickly.
“Jonathan came in to the program very focused,” said Massa. “He was very disciplined and task-oriented and served as a great mentor to the other students in the classroom.”
In many cases, he said, STCC graduates have already worked for at least a year as an intern before heading into the workforce, giving them exposure to the equipment they’ll be using regularly.
“They’re able to make and use lasers and optics—lenses, test equipment, etc.—and technicians work hand-in-hand with engineers and scientists,” said Massa. “About 70 percent continue their education at a four-year school to obtain their bachelor’s degree while working in the field.”
The STCC Laser Electro-Optics Technology program was established in 1976. As technology has evolved Massa said there’s been an increased demand for graduates. Some students quickly rule out the program thinking they aren’t good enough in math to pursue the degree, said Massa, but math shouldn’t be a deterrent.
“Sometimes the idea of lasers and math scares people away, but we teach you all the math you need to know; it’s specialized and focuses on practical use,” said Massa. “We live in a technical world. In order to be successful in this career, you definitely have to have an understanding of technology.”
For Forgue, the training he received at STCC provided foundation he needed for the position he holds at Nufern. Using highly specialized test equipment, the projects Forgue works on daily are complex, but often incredibly unique.
“Lately I have been brought on to more research and development projects, so I get to work on fibers that are truly one of a kind,” said Forgue. “Some of what we do (at Nufern) is not being done anywhere else in the world, and the list of applications for optical fibers continues to grow.”
Forgue credits his combined background as a military technician, training at STCC, and internship experience for his success in the workplace. He’s grateful for the opportunity to work in a field he enjoys and is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology at the University of Hartford.
“I really love my job,” said Forgue. “I’m still waiting to wake up because it feels like this is a dream. Every day is different. I’m constantly learning and trying to figure out how things work, and why, and how it all fits together.”
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ABOUT SPRINGFIELD TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE:
Founded in 1967, STCC is located on 35-acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site and is a major resource for the economic vitality of western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical option for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of over 8,700 day, evening, weekend, and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.
ABOUT NUFERN:
Nufern, based in East Granby, CT, is a leading U.S. manufacturer of fiber laser and amplifier modules and specialty optical fibers serving industrial, military/aerospace, medical and telecom applications. Nufern is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc., a U.S. company headquartered in Plymouth, MI and Hamburg, Germany. Rofin-Sinar is one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of high-performance lasers and laser-based solutions with more than 28,000 laser units installed worldwide and more than 3,000 customers. For more information, call toll-free: (866) 466- 0214, or visit www.nufern.com.