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Change the World:
With an electronics and networking degree?

Give Chuck Sekafetz three minutes and he’ll show you how a degree in electronics and networking from Chemeketa Community College can help stabilize the world’s food supply.

“We put GPS devices on tractors,” said Sekafetz.

If that seems incongruous, give him a chance to explain.

“Let’s say a farmer in Iowa is trying to get the most production out of his bean field. Beans grow best at certain pH level and production decreases whenever the pH level is higher or lower, but soil rarely has consistent pH levels,” said Sekafetz.

Farmers spread lime on fields in order to raise pH levels. However, by blanketing a field in lime, all pH levels will rise and decrease production in previously ideal parts of the field.

“If we put a GPS device on the tractor spreading lime, it can communicate with a satellite and tell the tractor where it is on the field using latitude and longitude. The computer inside the tractor can then determine how much lime to spread on the various parts of the field,” said Sekafetz.

The end results are consistent pH levels in all parts of a field, top bean production and a stable food supply. When a student with vision tackles electronics and engineering problems, the results, like putting GPS locators on tractors, can be world-changing.

“We’re creative people, a bioengineer designed the modern-day defibrillator,” said Sekafetz.

Much of the course work takes place in the lovingly named “Dungeon,” or electronics lab. The lab includes an automated production line that can be operated from any spot around the globe, with the proper equipment. The device fills and measures small boxes of pellets with the assistance of human operators.

“We use it to teach about the benefits and pitfalls of factory production. Students learn how to troubleshoot when problems occur and how each step can affect the overall results,” said Sekafetz.

There’s another almost-working device that produces root beer on tap from syrup and water.

Local jobs for graduates are readily available, a fact attested to by the two nearly full corkboards located near the Dungeon entrance. Employers with job opportunities for graduates range from the Oregon Lottery to Salem Hospital.

One recent grad, Allen Peters, was hired by the Oregon Lottery right out of the associate’s program.

After working for the Lottery, Peters was hired by Tektronix as an analog mask designer.

“I, very basically, take a schematic and find the best way to fit the components on the chip. It is fully engrossing work combining math, art, and science,” he said.

Peters dabbled in electronics as a child, but the “hottest thing” back then was a transistor radio and he lost interest.

While working as a ventilation systems troubleshooter, he designed and put on the market a motor speed control for use on residential air furnaces.

“I guess designing that motor speed control got me looking at catalogs and electronics materials and I saw there were a lot of cool things out there to design,” he said.

He began looking at Chemeketa as the first step to becoming an electronics engineer.

“I expected a good base to build upon, the ability to get a two-year degree and to get a job in the field of electronics and continue my education. What I received was a great base and a two-year challenge that was hard work and rewarding at the same time. I am now in a great place,” said Peters.

By Eric A. Howald. Have a great Chemeketa story? Send us an e-mail.

Updated October 25, 2007 by Marketing and Student Recruitment.