Advanced Manufacturing

Garvin, who is originally from Florida but grew up in Mississippi, played sports in high school and attended Belhaven University, where he was a member of the Blazers’ football team. After one semester, he transferred to Alcorn State University and decided not to pursue playing sports.

“I lost my love for playing football,” Garvin said. “I had to find myself and get on the right track in life.”

Garvin attended Alcorn for a year and a half. When he left, he was uncertain what he wanted to do as a career and concerned about the impact attending school was having on his finances.

“I didn’t want to be in school for so long that I ended up in debt,” Garvin said. He found work but the jobs didn’t provide him with much satisfaction.

In 2021, Garvin returned to Northeast Florida and discovered productivity and purpose after enrolling in the Diesel Systems Technician program at First Coast Technical College along with his father, Ronald Garvin, Sr.

Ronald’s father had purchased a semi-truck with an engine that needed to be overhauled. When a shop wanted to charge $13,000 for the repairs, they decided they would rather do the work themselves. A former student had told them about FCTC's Diesel program. Garvin’s father encouraged his son to sign up for the program and they enrolled together.

“Everyone in Northeast Florida drives trucks, but no one knows how to fix them,” Garvin said.

In the Diesel Systems Technician program, the Garvins learned how to diagnose, repair, overhaul, and assemble diesel trucks and machinery. They also learned how to maintain heavy equipment in a rapidly changing industry using a full systems approach. Not only did they learn how to repair their truck, their father/son relationship became closer from the experience.

They completed the program in 2023, preparing Garvin Jr. for employment with Ring Power as a Shop Technician III on Ring Power’s Utility Production team. Headquartered in St. Augustine, Ring Power Corporation is North and Central Florida’s Cat® dealer. The company is comprised of eight divisions and has 60 years of experience servicing and supporting Cat® products and allied equipment. Ring Power employs teams of skilled technicians who work on everything from equipment that builds roads and communities to engines that power marine vessels to generators big enough to power a hospital.

While FCTC prepared him for employment, Garvin’s understanding of electrical systems has grown with on the job training and support from his mentors at Ring Power. Garvin performs maintenance and repairs on equipment. He enjoys problem solving and is not afraid of challenges. He says patience, persistence and precision has been the key to his success.

“It’s been very rewarding,” said Garvin. “I can say I’m a diesel mechanic with pride.”

Garvin is enthusiastic about the trades, which offer well-paying and secure career opportunities. He also is passionate about sharing his love of the trades with others.

“This experience has been life-changing for me,” Garvin said.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at Florida State University in 2024, Huang transitioned to full-time employment as a Software Test Engineer at Medtronic in Jacksonville. The company develops and manufactures a wide range of products and therapies to diagnose, prevent and monitor more than 70 chronic conditions. In the past year, its therapies have improved the lives of more than 78 million people worldwide.

“Medtronic’s mission is to alleviate pain, restore health and extend life,” Huang said. “It is extremely rewarding to know that the work that I’m involved with is helping to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.”

Huang plays a key role in the testing and quality assurance processes to ensure the reliability and performance of Medtronic’s advanced medical devices. Her responsibilities, which include designing, developing and executing test automation frameworks including troubleshooting and maintaining test documentation, require attention to detail, critical thinking skills and technical proficiency. She works independently on projects and collaborates with team members on products and priorities.

“Collaborating is a great way to align on goals and deliverables with my colleagues,” Huang said.

Huang’s mother, an engineer, inspired her interest at an early age. As a student at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Huang participated in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, a rigorous, two-year curriculum, and the Stellar Academy of Engineering, which provided hands-on learning in software design and opportunities to earn professional industry certifications in design software programs including AutoCAD.

“I gained hands-on experience working on fun, interesting projects, and it made me realize how much I like problem solving and creativity,” Huang said.

While at FSU, Huang completed four summer internships at Medtronic including two in the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Internship Program, an internship experience targeting rising college freshman and sophomores. The WISE initiative focuses on advancing women in engineering and science roles with real-world experiences and mentorship opportunities.

“Building relationships with mentors and peers is one of the best ways to grow in your career,” Huang said.

During the summers between her junior and senior years, Huang completed two corporate internships where she gained hands-on experience and worked on real-world products. The internships also provided opportunities to experience Medtronic’s culture through professional development, networking and social events.

“My internships at Medtronic were the highlight of my college journey,” Huang said. “They provided me with a deeper understanding of the healthcare industry while giving me an opportunity to learn about programming and software.”

Her enthusiasm for healthcare technology inspired Huang to pursue a full-time position after graduation. Medtronic offers diverse technical and business careers that provide a platform for recent graduates to develop their talents. The company has been recognized for its commitment to individuals beginning their careers and named multiple times as Best Employers for New Graduates by Forbes Magazine.

Huang’s advice to students—explore opportunities and find your passion. “Never be afraid to try new things,” she said. “Stay curious and see what excites you the most.”

Tyler completed the automotive program at Palatka High School, passing all 10 National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification exams and the Florida Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) dealership exam. At the beginning of Tyler’s senior year, he transferred to Crescent City Jr/Sr High School due to a move. There, he completed the welding program and became American Welding Society (AWS) certified.

At Crescent City, Tyler was selected for the Manufacturing Prep Accelerated Program (MPAP) at St. Johns River State College based upon previous achievements and interests. Previously disinterested in college, Tyler realized that trades can have college-level classes, too. He felt the opportunity was an excellent fit. So, he enrolled in and completed the MPAP. The program prepares students for the Certified Production Technician 4.0 (CPT) designation. Those who pass the CPT certification exams earn 15 credits (one semester) toward the Associate of Science degree in Engineering Technology.

“This program taught me a lot about the importance of safety, as well as quality, and that everything else is constructed around these two key principles,” Tyler said. “Personally, I enjoy the machinery and the precision of the instruments and equipment. I’d rather hold a wrench than a pen, because I like that mental to physical problem solving.”

While Tyler plans to return to college and pursue additional education, he has found employment as a result of his skills and credentials. Tyler is currently at Vac-Con®, a world-wide vacuum truck dealers network. Vac-Con® sells industrial vacuums, hydro-excavation trucks and trailer mounted jetters, hydro-excavators and combination machines. At Vac-Con®, Tyler works in sub-assembly, where he builds the subframes that have been welded by another department. He notes the excellent benefits and pay that will help him achieve has many life goals.

Tyler was driven to work at Vac-Con® following a tour two years earlier during Manufacturing Month. Tours are coordinated by First Coast Manufacturers Association’s Workforce Development Committee and allow high school students to have a first-hand view of manufacturing opportunities available in Northeast Florida.

Due to his interest in a hands-on occupation, Tyler was driven to take advantage of this opportunity via a CARES Act, Rapid Credentialing Grant Opportunity from the Florida Department of Education and the SJR State. He said, “It was my way of getting the feel for the manufacturing industry. Financially, it was very important because college was the furthest from my mind.”

Content for this piece comes from an SJR State Student Highlight which originally appeared on the school's website and Facebook page.