From teacher to student: Sebastian Bruner finds hands-on experience in the Industrial Automation Technician -Mechatronics program

Sebastian Bruner considers himself a studious person who wants to translate that knowledge into hands-on work. Bruner has built a solid foundation through bookwork that gives him a leg up to approaching lab work.?

That comes as no surprise as Bruner graduated from UCF in 2022 where he studied math and computer science. In fact, he began his professional career as a teacher but quickly decided it wasn’t for him. So, he took a job at a marine factory hoping to get the hands-on experience he was after but that wasn’t quite working out either.?

“I thought that would be my ticket in for hands-on stuff, but they never really gave me any real responsibility,” Bruner said. “I wanted a company to take me seriously so I’m going to go back to school.”

After bouncing around for a bit in the workforce Bruner found a place that could help him propel his future and joined the Industrial Automation Technician – Mechatronics program.?

As excited as he was to apply his knowledge from UCF, he was even more excited about one particular aspect of Valencia College Accelerated Skills Training that elevates the programs.

“Networking, big thing,” Bruner said. “They have a whole department dedicated to networking.” Valencia AST’s career placement team helps students build their resumes, helps prepare them for interviews, and connects them with prospective employers.

Meanwhile, Bruner hasn’t completely given up on teaching while in the program. He tutors math, accounting and economics at Valencia College.?

“It is a job that when you have down time you can study which I would always recommend to students,” Bruner said. “If you can find a job where you can study on downtime, absolutely take it if it will pay the bills”?

“I wish I had a more thoughtful answer,” Bruner added with a chuckle. “That’s why I went into that job. It’s a way to pay the bills and tackle school at the same time.”?

He also loves being around the college and helping people who want to better themselves. “It feels good to be a part of someone’s education journey.”

As far as his own journey through school, Bruner is excited to be able to dive into hands-on labs and thinks employers will find it important. “I took physics 2 but the labs were more theoretical,” Bruner said. “Nobody would care that you did the labs but with this stuff it would be something that an employer would be interested in. My physics labs, I can’t really talk about those in an interview, they’re not going to care. But, these labs, are much better.?

In Bruner’s estimation, the Industrial Automation Technician – Mechatronics program is in the right place at the right time to fulfill a growing need in Central Florida.

“I think this program will provide a workforce or group of people that employers know are interested in the field and are worth investing in,” Bruner said. “I think it will bridge the gap between the needed technicians and what’s available.”