Jacob is a creative and crafty student who enjoys working with his hands; that’s why he chose Lehigh Career & Technical Institute. During rotations — a six-week period new students spend exploring three of LCTI’s career and technical education programs — he fell in love with Precision Machine Tool Technology, proving the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Jacob’s father, Stefan, is a machinist.

For Jacob, the best part of machining is moving from inception to production. You come up with an idea and then you make it happen, he explains. “You have the freedom to create something.”

Jacob is a William Allen High School senior who also takes his academics at LCTI. In addition to dozens of career and technology education programs, LCTI has an Academic Center that offers English, math science, social studies and physical education courses for full-day students.

Jacob is currently on co-op with Bihler of America. He hopes to secure an apprenticeship with the company so he can continue working there after graduation while he takes courses at Lehigh Carbon Community College. Ultimately, he’d like to transfer to Penn Tech or another school where he can earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering while minoring in exercise science, aerospace engineering or both.

Jacob developed an interest in aerospace engineering thanks to LCTI’s participation in NASA’s HUNCH program. “We made parts for the International Space Station,” he said. “It was fun, it was a great experience. It really opened us up to the things you could do with these skills.”

Through the program, students fabricate training and flight certified hardware and soft-goods that are then used by NASA astronauts and personnel. Jacob would love to go to work for NASA one day.

Learn more about the Precision Machine Tool Technology program and how it prepares high school students for college and career success.