Two graduates generations apart are among several hundred from FVTC impacting Oshkosh Corporation.
Jeff Resch, vice president and general manager of Oshkosh Airport Products, launched his career in 1978 with associate degrees in both Mechanical Design Technology and Manufacturing Engineering from what was then known as Fox Valley Technical Institute. Thirty-three years later, co-worker Kim Lundin followed a similar career path with an associate degree in Mechanical Design Technology from Fox Valley Technical College.
Oshkosh Airport Products is a division of Oshkosh Corporation, a world leader in the design and manufacturing of specialty vehicles used for military, fire and emergency applications. Resch worked in engineering for the company early in his career before switching into contract management. “The engineering background helped me understand what customers were looking for due to my education from Fox Valley Tech,” he says.
Lundin, a 28-year-old Appleton native, also believes that her FVTC education paved the way for a great career. A mechanical designer at Pierce Manufacturing, another division of Oshkosh Corporation, Lundin designs equipment brackets for airport fire trucks. “I see my job as a gateway to finding better, more cost-effective solutions,” she says. “Fox Valley Tech helped me develop strong problem-solving skills and technical capabilities.”
Today, more than 550 FVTC graduates from a wide variety of programs work at Oshkosh Corporation. “We are always looking for skilled people,” says Resch. “Don’t be afraid of getting a two-year degree. My FVTC education in engineering led to a number of advancements throughout a long and successful career.”
After a 40-year career, Resch is set to retire soon. “I went to the Tech right after high school and I’m glad I did,” he states.
Quick Facts:
- 550+ FVTC graduates working at Oshkosh Corporation in areas like mechanical design, welding, tool design, safety, operations management, truck driving, materials facilitation, information technology and more
- $43,800+ average annual starting salary for graduates of FVTC’s Mechanical Design Technology program
2017 FVTC Graduate Employment Research Report