LCC Industrial Systems student started college career when in high school

Submitted photo or Ethan Mullins.

South Lenoir High School graduate Ethan Mullins of Kinston wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after high school until his junior year when his high school started its machining program in collaboration with Lenoir Community College.

“I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life but that changed when South Lenoir started its machining program, which introduced me to Stephen Edwards who told me about Industrial Systems,” he said. “I almost immediately knew I wanted to be in so to put it shortly, LCC was under a spotlight in a break in the clouds like in a cartoon.”

Mullins said that ever since he could walk, he was always into fixing things. “I remember my grandma having to hide all the screwdrivers at her house because I would take apart my toys to see how they work, and the Industrial Systems Program offered the same concept in a professional way,” he said.

“So far, my favorite parts of the program have been the machining class and the mechanical systems class,” he said.

Edwards said Mullins was the first student in the AAMC/Career and College Promise (CCP) program to get a job in his field of study. CCP is a partnership between the North Carolina Community College System and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction where high school students can take college classes that align with their high school career courses. Mullins recently landed an internship with MasterBrand in its maintenance department.

“I am extremely proud of Ethan for starting his college career while in high school and for continuing to hone his skills in the field,” Edwards said. “The Career and College Promise program is a great opportunity for high school students to get a head start on their career path. Students are able to come take classes at our Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Center for free while still in high school. Ethan participated in that program and has always shown high levels of motivation and work ethic. Now, through this internship with MasterBrand, Ethan gets a chance to apply his skills and knowledge in real life applications, receive on the job training, and begin his career with a lucrative job opportunity.”

Mullins said his job consists of performing preventative maintenance and repairing downed machinery. “The collaboration with Industrial Systems and Masterbrand gives students in the program on-the-job training to better prepare to be part of the workforce,” he said. “It’s sort of a ‘hit the ground running’ type of experience.”

Mullins said he would advise anyone who is in college or considering furthering their education to keep going and to find something that you are passionate about and chase it. “Follow the dream and the money will come with it soon after. I am thankful for LCC and for Stephen Edwards for making this all possible, and I am beyond excited to see where this path leads me.”

For more information on the Industrial Systems Technology Program, contact Edwards at svedwards070@lenoircc.edu or call (252) 527-6223, ext. 109.