Andrew Johnson
Machine Tool Technology ‘17
Lonsdale, MN
Andrew Johnson wasn’t entirely sure if machining was the right fit for him when he decided to tour Dunwoody College of Technology in 2012.
On his tour, Johnson expressed his concerns to Tom Larsen, the Right Skills Now for Manufacturing Instructor. Larsen inspired Johnson to apply.
“He told me that if I put the effort and hard work into it, then I can succeed in machining,” Johnson said. “He gave me the confidence to pursue machining as a career path.”
With Larsen’s encouragement and the desire to earn a higher pay in a better work environment, Johnson decided to enroll in Dunwoody’s Right Skills Now for Manufacturing program, earning his certificate in 2013.
Certificate in hand, Johnson found a job as a CNC machinist at KEB America. However, his drive to move up in his field motivated him to come back to Dunwoody in 2015 to earn his Associate of Applied Science in Machine Tool Technology.
Between both his Right Skills Now for Manufacturing certificate and his Machine Tool Technology associate’s degree, Johnson has never missed (literally) one minute of class.
Johnson will be graduating this year as the Academic Excellence Award recipient for the Robotics & Manufacturing department.
Just a year into his associate’s degree, Johnson landed a new job as a mold maker apprentice at Donatelle. After graduation, Johnson plans to stay with Donatelle and refine his skills to eventually become a master toolmaker.
“My goal is to show Donatelle that I have what it takes to get to that level,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be a lot of hard work and dedication in order to be on the ball and learn.”