Meet a Fluid Power Scholarship Winner – Ryan Collins

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 nineteen $2,000 scholarships to students pursuing fluid power technology fields of study.

Here’s one of the winners, Ryan Collins. Ryan is attending Spokane Community College. We asked Ryan about winning the scholarship…

What does winning a Fluid Power Scholarship mean to you?
Receiving this generous scholarship is a financial stepping- stone to help me be successful. The financial support helps me embrace my academic journey. It is much appreciated, and I am very grateful for your help.

Why did you choose to learn about fluid power?
I chose to learn about fluid power after I stumbled upon it actually. It was an unknown field to me at the time. I knew that I wanted to pursue a trade, I was leaning towards Machining, I went to look at the Machining Program at Spokane Community College, that is when I met the instructors for the Hydraulic Pneumatic Automation Technology Program and spoke to several of the students in the program, I knew right then that I had found the career path that was meant for me.

What are your career aspirations? What type of fluid power job do you hope to get after you graduate?
My career aspirations are to find the right industry and location to work at and then begin my successful career journey. I am open to all possibilities, and opportunities and will see where this new road will lead me. I am open to moving for the right position and I am excited to see where my career will lead me in the next year. At this time, I may follow in my Father’s path and look at possibly working for Bonneville Power Administration or for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when I get out of this program.

The Foundation’s goal is to help individuals enrolled in technical colleges and universities pursue their interests in fluid power. The Fluid Power Scholarship application is available from January 2023 until early April 2023. Please share this opportunity within your network. Additionally, if you would like to serve on the application review committee, please contact James Foster at jfoster@nfpa.com.

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