Matt has his 4^th class Stationary Engineer's certificate (or P.E.T. certificate) and is a summer student getting job experience before he heads back to technical school to finish up his 3^rd class Stationary Engineer's certificate.

Initially he had gone to a community college and went into a general arts program to test the waters so to speak. During that time he spoke to many people to gain more information on career options. He thought Chemical Engineering would be a good fit for him. So he went off to Dow Chemical to do what is called "Job Shadowing" where you spend a day with someone while they go about their regular duties. There he spoke to Chem. Techs as well as Stationary Engineers. He soon determined his career direction after hearing what the Stationary Engineers had to say.

Matt like the variety of jobs one could have as well as the variety of things a person can do within one job designation. He likes the hands on stuff and believes it to be a better fit for him and will be more enjoyable than shuffling around in a laboratory all day or sitting behind a desk all day and getting fat.

Matt believes he will have more time off to travel, golf and go camping. The one thing he sees as a possible conflict is having to work special holidays like Christmas etc. as they are special family days. Then again if he were in the retail business it may not be any different. He believes he will be making small sacrifices for much larger gains elsewhere. All in all he figures it will be a better way of life with greater opportunity both career wise and lifestyle wise.

Good luck in your future endeavors Matt.

Update:  Matt got himself a full time job as a plant operator with a multination corporation at the end of 2001 in a high tech, heavy oil / co-gen plant.  Matt's career is on it's way!