Talking Technicians

Michelle is a lead thin film vacuum technician at MKS Instruments at the Richardson Gratings Lab in Rochester, NY. Michelle started out working as an operator, then gained additional skills by enrolling in a vacuum technician certificate program at Normandale Community College. Hear Michelle’s story about how she took her career to the next level. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT...

Mario secured an internship at Intel.  Mario worked on submarines in the Navy. When he left the Navy, he needed a new career. Hear how Mario made the decision to work as an engineering technician intern and how his company is helping with his degree and coursework at community college. Mario’s story is inspirational and shows one of the different backgrounds that can lead you to work in the semico...

Jason works as a technician at Intel. Jason worked as a freelance videographer, but wanted a more stable profession. He graduated from a 2-year community college program and secured a job in the semiconductor industry at Intel. Hear how Jason’s career as a technician has grown and how Intel supports his professional growth. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Tech...

Jose works at Genentech. Jose grew up in the Bay Area and went from working in restaurants to a career in biotechnology. Hear about how Jose enrolled in a community college program, completed an internship and now has a career at one of the biggest biotech companies. Jose talks about what he is most passionate about at work and how you can work towards your dream career too. The Talking Technician...

Sofia is a Lab Services and Media Prep Technician at Genetech. Hear how Sophia went from a degree in world languages to a community college biotech program. Sophia shares her story and journey in this episode and has advice for folks who want to transition careers and start work as a technician.  The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, thr...

Olga works at Tenaya Therapeutics. Hear how Olga earned an associates degree from a community college biotechnology program to secure a well-paying job that impacts health and helps people. Olga talks about her work, the hardest part of community college, and has advice for folks just starting their careers.  The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Educatio...

David works at NanoScience Instruments. Hear how David went from working with computers to working with advanced nanotechnology characterization and fabrication instruments. David talks about how important completing a 1-year certificate from Rio Salado Community College was to his professional journey.  The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Cen...

Ginny works remotely for a company called Serviceminder. Ginny explains her journey from community college to working in the tech industry. Hear how both technical skills and interpersonal skills are important in Ginny’s work. Ginny also talks about her experience at community college and how it shaped her career. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Edu...

Heather worked in IT after community college then decided to start her own business using no-code / low-code tools.  Hear what it’s like to run your own business after earning a community college degree. Heather talks about the technical and soft skills she uses to run her business and bring value to her clients. Heather’s journey is inspiring and shows how far you can go with a 2-year degree. The...

Tiffany changed careers by enrolling in a community college technology program. Now Tiffany works at Nomadic, which specializes in digital marketing and software development. Tiffany highlights how “soft skills” are important in the technology industry and advises students to explore their career opportunities. Hear Tiffany’s story in this episode of Talking Technicians. The Talking Technicians po...

Talking Technicians goes to a hackathon! In this special episode of Talking Technicians, we’ve collaborated with the 2022 Antibody Engineers Hackathon which is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education program ( DUE 2055036 ). The episode was recorded as part of the Hackathon. You’ll hear from two biotechnology practitioners, Andrew and Miko. They ex...

Kendra works as an IT tech at a community college in Asheville, NC. Kendra wanted a change and enrolled in a community college program in web and graphic design. This led to her current role as an IT technician. Hear Kendra’s story and how her work involves more than computers and tech. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through finan...

Recorded LIVE! At the HI-TEC Conference in Salt Lake City, UT - A special episode of Talking Technicians: We welcome back Linzee, Mark and Glen from Season 2 and hear different perspectives working as a technician. Hear live questions from the audience and feel what it’s like to be part of the HI-TEC Conference. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Educa...

Amber works in the biotech industry at ICON. She went to a community college biotech program and started working as a technician in Los Angeles. In this episode, hear how technicians save lives by fighting breast cancer. Amber started as a technician and her career shows how far technicians can go. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, t...

Mark has over 25 years experience working as a technician. He worked as a technician at Intel in many different areas including hiring and training. Currently, Mark works as a technician at the MTTC at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. Hear how technicians can do more than maintain and fix equipment; Mark’s career shows how far being a technician can take you. The Talking Technician...

Rick works as a technician at the MTTC at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. He is an experienced technician and has worked at Phillips. Rick shares his professional journey including his time in the Navy and enrolling in community college. Hear how the role of a technician has evolved in this episode. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology E...

Corey works as a technician at MSEI in Lake Oswego, OR. Corey was repairing computers before he went to community college and earned a 2-year technician degree. After graduating, Corey got a job as a technician building pacemakers and defibrillators which help save lives.  The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support f...

Jeb works as a technician at Intel in Hillsboro, OR. Jeb was working at a supermarket before he went to a community college and gained the technical and professional skills he needed to work at one of the most cutting-edge companies in America. Hear Jeb's story in this episode. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial...

Linzee is a technician at Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon. Linzee started working in food prep in a hospital then went to community college to become a technician. Hear how Linzee’s life changed when she became a technician and how you can become a technician too. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the Nation...

Yeysen works as a technician at Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon. He graduated from Centralia College with a 2-year degree and now works in a field where he can make more than $50,000. Hear Yeysen’s story in this episode. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Techno...

Sam works as a manufacturing technician at Intel outside Phoenix, AZ. Sam went to a community college and graduated with a 2-year degree. Then he got a job at Intel. Hear Sam’s story in this episode. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Educatio...

Cristian works as a technician at the Oak Crest Institute of Science in Monrovia, CA. He started out as an intern and now works full-time as a microscopy technician. Hear Cristian’s story and learn about electron microscopy in this episode. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundati...

Antonio works as a technician at Lawrence Livermore National Lab. He had experience working in machining and drafting and went to a 2-year community college. He started as an intern at the Lab and now works as a full-time technician. Hear about Antonio’s journey and what working as a technician at a National Lab is all about. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Te...

Gabe works as a technician at Micron in Lehi, Utah. Gabe started out working in a bike shop, but found out his local community college had a scanning electron microscope. Gabe earned a 2-year Associates Degree and a Microcopy Certificate. Now he’s a senior technician at Micron and trains other technicians.  The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education...

Our Season 1 recap episode: Welcome back Geovana, Amalia and Danil. We chat about what they have been up to since their first appearance on Talking Technicians. Hear how their lives have changed because of COVID and what it’s like to be on a podcast when you are a technician. The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial suppor...