MILWAUKEE – The engineering gene hibernated inside Hunter Burazin for years.
As a high school student, he envisioned himself as anEnglish teacher. But in his first attempt at attending college, he socialized more than he studied.
“It didn’t really work out,” he said.
Burazin spent the next decade waiting tables and serving diners in dozens of restaurants ranging from the tony Wisconsin Club to fast food eateries. He was also married and had two daughters to support. He knew his life needed to change because serving wasn’t going to pay all the bills.
In 2016, Burazin headed to Milwaukee Area Technical College and laid the groundwork to return to school and study engineering.
“I had always liked computers and science. My grandfather and one uncle were engineers. It seemed interesting and fun, plus I knew I could support my family in a career that would never go out of style,” Burazin said. “I guess I was inclined to engineering, and once I put my mind to something, I can make it happen.”
Burazin attended MATC for two years, earned an associate degree in electrical engineering technology, then transferred to the Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in May 2022.
Now he’s on the verge of securing a full-time engineering job at a Milwaukee tooling firm.
“The most important reason I chose MATC was its transfer agreement with MSOE,” said Burazin, who grew up in Franklin and graduated from Waukesha South High School. “Being able to get an education in a technical environment and then transfer to a four-year college was very beneficial. I loved the support I received at MATC – it really helped to get into the mode of being a successful college student.”
At MATC, Burazin served as the college’s state ambassador for the Wisconsin Technical College System. In that role, he participated in a leadership development program and helped extol the value of technical education. Burazin helped increase awareness of the electrical engineering technology program among MATC students; and of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses among local middle school and high school students.
“Hunter was genuinely happy to be in school, and managed his school-life stresses well,” said Patricia Berg, one of Burazin’s mathematics instructors at MATC. “After he was done with math I would see him on campus where he was studying electronic technology. Hunter kept his ‘eyes on the prize.’”
Burazin also organized an electrical engineering job forum. Local employers spoke with students about postgraduation expectations, essential interview skills and necessary soft skills needed to be successful in the workforce.
Transferring to MSOE was straightforward and uncomplicated, Burazin said. “The advisors from MSOE walk you through everything — classes to take, schedules, financial aid, registration,” he said. “The people at MATC made sure everything was absolutely seamless. They made it very, very easy.”
MATC students with an associate degree in numerous programs can transfer to MSOE to earn bachelor’s degrees in management, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and as of this spring, technical sales.
Technical sales reps sell technology-based or scientific products and services. They require a strong understanding of the technical details of the products, the scientific principles behind them and how they work with – or compare to – similar products and services. Professional opportunities include solutions architect, sales engineer, system engineer, product manager and distribution specialist.
With his electrical engineering degree, Burazin is confident he will secure a full-time job and start a lifelong career.
“Electrical engineers can do all sorts of things. There aren’t many things we use that haven’t had an electrical engineer’s hand on them,” Burazin said. “The list of what electrical engineers can’t do is shorter than what we can do.”
For information about MATC’s transfer programs, go to https://www.matc.edu/transfer/index.html
Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 25,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 170 academic programs; and transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 40 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.