For years, Travis Foster made a living as an engineer after earning an associate degree. It’s an unusual path that started at COTC. He has learned to respond and adapt to changes in the industry, and that’s why he’s fortifying his future by pursuing two more degrees.

Foster’s affinity for hands-on work led him to electromechanical engineering. After graduating from COTC in 2007, he came across an opportunity at Micron, a semiconductor manufacturing company in northern Virginia. He started as a technician, mostly repairing equipment in the cleanroom. Through years of learning and loyalty, he proved he had grown as much as the technician role allowed him. It became time for a proper promotion. “Even though I don’t have a bachelor’s degree in engineering,” he said, “I worked my way up from technician to engineer anyway.”

Instead of just fixing equipment, he started designing it. Instead of just following procedures, he made them safer and more efficient. Foster filled an engineer role at Micron for 10 years, until he got caught up in company layoffs.

That’s when he moved back to Ohio and made moves to bounce back. He was compelled to COTC a second time, planning to “get a couple degrees and see where it goes from there,” he said. The pursuit has given him a chance to refresh his skills. After all, the field has definitely changed. “That’s why I’m double-majoring in electrical engineering and semiconductor manufacturing,” he said. “Some programs are completely different, so I’m learning about new technologies and brushing off the rust.”

Two decades after getting his start, Foster has also seen the college’s evolution. “It’s actually more hands-on now than my first time around,” he said. “COTC is working really closely with local companies, and my professors have a lot of industry experience. They can show us how everything applies to the workforce.”

That includes Foster’s current work at Ohio State’s Nanotech West Lab — an opportunity a COTC professor found for him. By maintaining semiconductor equipment that students use, he’s immediately putting his new knowledge to use. “What I’ve learned is already helping me understand how everything operates at this job,” he said.

He has also learned just how valuable a resource this institution is. Even someone as indefatigable as Foster can’t improve their lot on their own. Sometimes, all they need is a jumping off point. “COTC is that springboard,” he said. “It’s a very viable option to change your life.” As he continues to grow and prepare for the future, Foster is confident COTC can change his once again.