Daniel Lopez graduated from Chicago Math and Science Academy (CMSA) in 2010 and received his bachelor’s at Northeastern Illinois University in Communications and Media in 2017. Daniel had the same frustrations as many college graduates do after completing their degrees: finding a job that suits them and uses their hard-earned degree. Fortunately, because Daniel was working with Future Institute, he had the opportunity to switch gears to pursue a different career through their partnership with the ICATT Apprenticeship Program.
Daniel is currently pursuing a hands-on learning certification in Mechatronics and a degree in Mechanical Engineering through the ICATT Apprenticeship program. Through this apprenticeship, Daniel has the opportunity to become a trained Mechatronics Technician and complete courses at Richard J. Daley College with the tuition paid for by the company as well as a stipend.
Through the hiring process, Daniel applied to the program, was interviewed and hired by Mauser Packing Solutions to become their Mechatronics Technician Apprentice, and enrolled in college once more. Once Daniel successfully completes the two-year apprenticeship program, he will have no debt and a job offer from Mauser!
Future Institute wishes Daniel all the best in pursuing his apprenticeship and hopes to continue the partnership with the ICATT Apprenticeship program in order to extend this opportunity to more graduates for whom a traditional college education is not the best option.
Hear more about Daniel Lopez’s story in his testimony below!