Most evenings, after clocking out at Micron Technology, Inc., Cesar Rodriguez heads home and walks straight into his garage.
The hood of an off-road vehicle is lifted. Tools are spread across the bench. An engine waits to be rebuilt, tuned, and pushed for a little more horsepower. For Rodriguez, working on vehicles has always been his way of learning, experimenting, and solving problems firsthand.
“I’ve always been the type of person who can’t look at a machine without wondering how it works,” he said.
That instinct to take things apart and put them back together is what led him to the Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program at College of Western Idaho (CWI).
Now in his second year of the program, Rodriguez has found a place where mechanical skills and engineering mindset meet. What started as an interest in working with his hands has grown into a clear path toward the semiconductor industry.
“I love to work with my hands, but I also wanted to get into the engineering field,” he said. “The Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program combines both of these aspects perfectly.”
Rodriguez began at CWI in Fall 2024 after taking time off following high school. Originally interested in Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology, he discovered Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology while exploring programs through One Stop Student Services. The blend of electrical systems, mechanical troubleshooting, and precision tools immediately caught his attention.
“I just became really interested in the program and have had a passion for it ever since,” Rodriguez said.
At first, he expected the program to be intimidating, knowing that engineering often carries that reputation. However, he quickly discovered it was different.
“The environment has been very inviting,” Rodriguez said. “The instructors are great, and other students are very helpful. Everyone wants to see you succeed.”
That support proved pivotal when an instructor encouraged him to apply for a position at Micron. Rodriguez submitted his application, not expecting much. As a young student early in his program, he didn’t think he would be qualified for the role.
Then he received a call back.
“When I started talking with recruiters and managers, they seemed really interested in me,” said Rodriguez. “Hearing about the roles and what they do there really resonated with what I was learning, and it motivated me to keep working toward opportunities with companies like Micron.”
Today, he works as a Diffusion Equipment Technician Apprentice at Micron, balancing two-and-a-half days on the job with full-time coursework. The partnership between CWI and Micron has allowed him to align his work schedule with his classes, creating what he describes as a seamless transition between school and industry.
“The tools that I use daily on the job are tools that I use in class,” he said. “I’m able to move that foundation from school over to the job.”
Maintaining that balance has not been without challenges. Juggling his apprenticeship with school, Rodriguez had to sharpen his time management skills quickly. Working ahead on assignments and staying organized has helped him maintain a 4.0 GPA throughout his semesters so far.
“That pushes me to really understand the course material and apply it effectively,” he said.
Rodriguez’s hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Last semester, he was awarded the Emerging Professionals Scholarship, which is a faculty nominated award seeking to recognize students demonstrating going above and beyond. He was nominated by Mechatronics Technology Instructor, Dr. Darryl Jessie, who noted that Rodriguez works ahead on assignments, identifies issues in course modules weeks in advance, and consistently produces high-quality work.
“I see Cesar as exemplary in the three criteria for this award: integrity, innovation, and professionalism,” Jessie said. “He consistently demonstrates initiative and high-quality work in and out of the classroom.”
Beyond grades and job titles, Rodriguez finds motivation in the troubleshooting itself. Whether he is reading schematics in class, tracing signals with a multimeter, or rebuilding an engine in his garage, the process is the same.
“You don’t expect a perfect outcome on the first try,” he said. “Having that troubleshooting base is the most important part.”
With plans to graduate next year, Rodriguez intends to move into a full-time role at Micron and eventually step into a trainer position, helping guide new apprentices as they enter the field. Mentorship is something he already practices in the classroom, assisting classmates and sharing what he has learned.
“It’s rare to find a place where your hobbies, your job, and your education all line up so perfectly,” he said. “Building strong relationships and networks really does help bridge the gap between school and career.”
In the garage, engines come apart and go back together piece by piece. In the lab, circuits spark to life under careful hands. On the manufacturing floor, every measurement and adjustment matters.
For Rodriguez, it’s all part of the same rhythm; his curiosity, his skill, and his drive moving seamlessly from hobby to classroom to career. He’s found the place where it all clicks, and it’s exactly where he’s meant to be.
