As a mechanical engineer specializing in HVAC at Johnson Controls International while pursuing a master’s degree in finance, Jesse Hosein is purposeful, driven and fulfilled. He’s a lifelong learner with plenty of accomplishments under his belt and he’s just getting started. So it may seem hard to believe that as a young high school graduate, this driven young man’s backup plan was to work at a grocery store. 

 

“I was 19 or 20 at the time, and [Moore Norman Technology Center] was offering tuition waivers for anyone under the age 21. So I took them up on their offer and I basically was able to attend for free,” he said. Hosein’s father also works in HVAC and encouraged him to attend Moore Norman. “When my dad saw the tuition waiver, he told me, ‘You're going do this now.’ And I was like, okay, cool.” Just like that, Hosein’s career track changed. He had such a solid plan for his future, and when he finished at Moore Norman, he set his sights on earning a four-year engineering degree as well. “Having the apprenticeship license was my backup plan in case, for some reason, I wasn't able to finish engineering school,” Hosein said. 

 

He also saw the value in a hands-on understanding of HVAC. “We worked with a lot of the equipment that I would be designing today, so a lot of outdoor units, air handlers, chillers and stuff like that, so it was very beneficial.” His in-depth understanding of the machinery is a huge advantage. “If something's not working, then I could deduce what or where the underlying issue is, like the root cause analysis.” 

 

While Hosein was deciding whether to pursue a bachelor’s degree, Moore Norman was busy matching him with an internship which would put him on the path for a job at Oklahoma City University, should he wish to go that direction. “They helped me with my internship. The supervisor at Oklahoma City University did a presentation, and a lot of other people were invited to speak [to us] to connect us with internships and jobs opportunities.” 

 

Hosein encourages prospective students to strongly consider the benefits of attending Moore Norman. “I would say, take it seriously. Give it your 100 percent. Ask questions and put yourself out there. It's a lot of hands on, a lot of interactive classes. There's a lot of engaging, exciting opportunities to look forward to, to be a part of.”  

     

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Established in 1972, Moore Norman Technology Center is viewed as one of the nation's premiere career and technical educational institutions within Oklahoma's globally recognized Career Tech system. Serving the Cleveland County communities of Moore, Norman, and south Oklahoma City, MNTC provides high school and adult students with an innovative technical career education. MNTC also offers customized workforce training to area companies allowing them to upskill their teams and achieve their business goals. Visit mntc.edu to learn more about classes and programs at Moore Norman Technology Center.