Meet a Fluid Power Scholarship Winner—Nathan Maki

Programs like the Fluid Power Scholarships are made possible in part by the generous support of industry volunteers as well as NFPA Education and Technology Foundation and Pascal Society donors. Support these efforts by making a donation.

The NFPA Education and Technology Foundation has awarded fourteen $2,000 scholarships to students pursuing fluid power technology fields of study.

Here’s one of the winners, Nathan Maki. He is attending Spokane Community College and is enrolled in the fluid power program. We asked Nathan about winning the scholarship…

What does winning a Fluid Power Scholarship mean to you?
It is an honor to be recognized by the NFPA for my academic achievements. Being selected to receive this scholarship confirms to me that I’ve chosen the right career path. This award will enable me to focus better on my studies as I prepare to enter my final year of education. My motivation to succeed in the fluid power industry has gone even higher, and I intend to prove the NFPA made the right choice when they selected me.

Why did you choose to learn about fluid power?
During my first degree in industrial electricity I learned about automated systems and this led me to fluid power. System design and motion control continue to fascinate me daily. What this industry can accomplish with machines is amazing and I’m excited to be a part of it. Working in a field that is vital to infrastructure and improving our way of life makes me proud.

What are your career aspirations? What type of fluid power job do you hope to get after you graduate?
What I want out of my career most is to enjoy what I do every day. I find problem solving and learning about new technologies rewarding, and I know whatever path my fluid power career takes me I will get to do both. I find pneumatic systems with electrical controls especially interesting. My dream job would be working with electro-pneumatic applications while staying up to date with the latest automation technologies.

The Foundation’s goal is to help individuals enrolled in technical schools and engineering schools pursue their interests in fluid power. For further information about the Fluid Power Scholarship program, contact Amy Zignego, Workforce Program Manager, at azignego@nfpa.com.