Baker College of Jackson hosts engineering open house May 26

Baker College of Jackson will host a free open house, 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, where prospective students and their families can learn about academic programs and careers in engineering and manufacturing. It will be at Baker College of Jackson, 2800 Springport Road, in the 100 building, Jackson.

In addition to touring the new manufacturing lab, attendees will have access to faculty, administration, students and alumni to discuss specific academic programs. Business representatives will also be available to provide information about careers in their industries.

“This is a great opportunity to learn about several academic programs from multiple sources at one location,” said David Gomez, D.B.A., dean of business and technology programs at Baker College of Jackson. “These programs offer education and training for careers in high-demand fields.”

Baker College of Jackson offers a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, associate degrees in mechanical technology and advanced manufacturing technology, and a CNC operator certificate.

The new, state-of-the-art manufacturing lab was designed with input from area employers. It replicates a machine shop with equipment similar to that used by Jackson-area manufacturers, including 12 Haas CNC Control Simulators; a computer numerical control (CNC) and manual 2D lathe and 3D mill; a belt sander; multiple saws; a MIG (metal inert gas) and TIG (tungsten inert gas) welder; and a number of material testers.

The lab will be expanded this summer to allow for additional needed equipment as the mechanical engineering bachelor’s program enters its third year.

The combination of the equipment provided in the lab, the close proximity of the lab to adjoining classrooms and the range of programs offered allows students to experience the collaborative process of moving a product from the concept stage to prototype production.

Baker College of Jackson added the bachelor’s degree in engineering to its curriculum two years ago to help fill a gap in available talent after meeting with area employers and studying job forecasts.

Gomez points out that engineers have been in high demand and have commanded some of the higher starting salaries for many years. In 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated the average annual salary for a mechanical engineer was $87,140, with the lower 10 percent earning $53,210 and the top 10 percent earning $126,430.

For more information about the engineering programs at Baker College of Jackson, contact Kevin Pnacek in the admissions office at 517.788.7800 or kevin.pnacek@baker.edu.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 28,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 150 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker is a pioneer in online education and offers students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.