![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/dunwoody.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/1400-AUTO-JOSH-MATTSON-040132022-kmh-2-1024x671.png\")
A highlight for Mattson was the opportunity to take apart and rebuild transmissions in his third semester. \u201cThis was a project I thoroughly enjoyed,\u201d he said. \u201cI knew very little about transmission internals prior to taking one apart. I learned a lot from the whole process.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t just the automotive curriculum that made Dunwoody a great experience for Mattson. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBy far my most enjoyable experience has been the people I\u2019ve met,\u201d he said. \u201cThe staff make the classrooms and labs approachable, and the other students who I started the program with are now my friends.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most valuable lessons he learned at Dunwoody was how to effectively balance \u201cwork, school, and the rest of my life.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jason Emrick, Senior Instructor\/Honda PACT Coordinator, took notice of Mattson\u2019s determination in the classroom and lab. Not only was he an active and attentive listener, prepared for class each day, but also willing to help classmates if they were struggling with a concept. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe was always willing to do extra work and pursue additional learning opportunities,\u201d Emrick said, pointing out a time when an unplanned teaching opportunity presented itself right after Mattson had left campus for the day. \u201cI gave him the option of coming back, or going over it with me the following day. He came back to school so he could cover it with his class. It was that attitude I really admire.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emrick nominated Mattson for the 2022 Academic Excellence Award in Automotive Technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe is a great addition to any class and someone who I would be happy to work with in industry,\u201d Emrick said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Mattson, the award was validation of all his efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt meant a lot to receive the Academic Excellence Award,\u201d he said. \u201cI have put a lot of work into school, and to be recognized for that work makes it all worth it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Eagle Scout, Mattson credits his father as an inspiration. \u201cHe always encouraged me to study hard, do my best, and to be the best person I can be,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mattson is already working in the industry, currently employed as a technician at Bloomington Acura Subaru. He ultimately seeks to become a master technician. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching Formula One, and, of course, working on his car. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Honda Professional Automotive Career Training (PACT) Josh Mattson knew that he wanted to do something hands-on for a living. \u201cI\u2019m not a huge fan of sitting at a desk and filling out papers all day,\u201d he said. \u201cI like to get my hands dirty and turn wrenches.\u201d As a student at Osseo High School in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6326,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[363,178],"tags":[361,89,314],"class_list":["post-6328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-excellence-award","category-student-news","tag-academic-excellence-award","tag-automotive","tag-dunwoody-college-of-technology"],"yoast_head":"\n