Joshua Niekamp is putting all the pieces in place to bring his big dreams to fruition.
The third-year engineering technology student knows he wants to find an engineering career that lets him stay in his hometown of Minster, marry his fiancé and build a future, preferably in that order.
To build those dreams, he is working in his field, studying hard and saving all he can to put toward a future home. At one point he was working full time and going to school full time, but it was not sustainable for the student who wanted to learn everything he could while keeping his grades up. When the manufacturing sector stepped up with scholarships to help engineering technology students they also hope will stay in the area, Josh was delighted and relieved.
“As one of five kids in my family, every bit of support helps. I can say, without a doubt, that this significant scholarship support has helped me focus on my coursework. I set high standards for myself and push myself to have good grades.”
The good grades are there and Josh continues to learn all that he can about his future profession.
“I think I will be one of the more prepared students coming out of college, one that is fully aware of what working as an engineer means,” Niekamp said. “With the support scholarships provide, I will be much more prepared than most people.”
Josh continues to work to pay for the costs not covered by his scholarships, but he can now work as an engineering co-op and use what he earns during the co-op term to pay for a whole year of school, all while developing more job skills.
As for the house, he can check that off the list, too. A fixer-upper in his hometown came on the market and he snatched it up. It is helping to pay for itself as a rental until he needs when he graduates.