DALLAS, Pa. — Timothy Schechterly Jr., a junior studying electrical engineering technology (EET) at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, has been working in his field since he was 16. Through his studies at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, he is continuing to develop his knowledge and skills while adding value to his company.
Schechterly, a graduate of Lake-Lehman High School, commutes to the campus from his home in Hunlock Creek. From an early age, he was interested in how things work.
“I’ve always been very mechanically inclined. Ever since I could walk, I was in the garage,” he said. “When I got older, engineering seemed like the perfect thing for me, and electrical engineering seemed the most interesting.”
He began working at the Benton Foundry when he was hired at the age of 16 as a general maintenance technician. He learned about the position from his father, Timothy Schechterly Sr., maintenance supervisor at the Benton Foundry. Both have attended Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses. Timothy Schechterly Sr. earned degrees in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering technology from Penn State Hazleton and has worked at the Benton Foundry for more than 30 years.
Seven years after starting at the Benton Foundry, Schechterly Jr. is part of the engineering group there with his father as his supervisor.
“I deal with electrical systems every day at work,” he said. “I wanted to go to Penn State Wilkes-Barre to get a better understanding of those systems and continue to learn more. I really like the hands-on aspect of the program and what that allows me to learn.” Penn State Wilkes-Barre is one of only two Penn State campuses to offer a degree in EET.
The foundry makes a variety of ductile and tempered ductile castings, including pots, pans, weights, bearings and pump housings. Schechterly and his father work with a team of about 30 employees in the maintenance department.
Schechterly begins a shift by walking through the foundry and assessing the maintenance downtime on machines that are out of service. He shares that with his father, and then they assemble a team of maintenance employees to make the necessary fixes. When the machines are not scheduled to be running, he assists with preventive maintenance to reduce future downtimes. Schechterly works with other members of the engineering department to plan and schedule large upcoming projects. He also schedules installation as well as weekly and annual preventive maintenance for new equipment.
He works close to full-time hours, so he is careful to plan his schedule to allow him to work and get his schoolwork done. He typically starts work at 5:30 a.m. each day and begins class at 9 a.m. three days and 1 p.m. the other two days.
“I’m scheduled for anywhere from 20 to 35 hours a week, but I’m on call 24/7, so it typically works out to be around 40 hours a week,” Schechterly said. “I plan ahead and try to stay a week or two ahead in my schoolwork. Whenever I have free time away from work, I work on schoolwork.”
He said he appreciates that the faculty at Penn State Wilkes-Barre are familiar with working students such as himself and understanding of their needs.
“They are always willing to accommodate my schedule and have been understanding if I had to be late because of work,” he said. “Since the campus is smaller, the professor-to-student ratio is very good. Anytime I need help, a professor is always available.”
Like the campus faculty, his employer has been understanding and flexible. The foundry works around his school schedule and accommodate his needs, he said. The company is also paying for his college education.
While Schechterly has no plans to leave his job anytime soon, he said he is considering pursuing a master’s degree in electrical engineering or a licensed professional engineer designation. He is also interested in high-voltage power distribution and power plant activity.