As Idaho’s tech industry expands, the demand for mechatronics technicians is rising. To educate people about Mechatronics — a new term for many — and attract new students to the Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program, CWI has launched a new marketing initiative called “What is Mechatronics.” This student feature is one part of that campaign.
From Art to Automation
For those wanting a career on the front lines of innovation, Mechatronics provides that and more, blending mechanics, electronics, and automation into one dynamic field. From robotics and smart systems to advanced manufacturing, this rapidly growing field offers students a gateway to high-demand, high-tech careers and students like Kathleen Burns-Wick have chosen it for that reason.
Before studying Mechatronics at College of Western Idaho (CWI), Burns-Wick earned a degree in Art Education. But her interest in engineering and automation was sparked in an unexpected way — by watching her husband, Lee, go through the very program she would soon call her own.
“A few years back, my husband was in the Mechatronics program, and I kept finding myself getting interested in what he was learning,” she said. “Even before he’d graduated, I decided that Mechatronics was the career path I wanted to take.”
Learning to Solve Real-World Problems
Now in her final semester at CWI and preparing to graduate in May 2025 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree, Burns-Wick has not only embraced the technical rigor of the program but is thriving in it. The Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program, referred to as Mechatronics, teaches students how to work with robotics, electrical systems, and automated equipment — skills that are powering some of the fastest-growing industries in the nation.
“Right now, we’re learning about Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and I’m really enjoying it,” she shared.
Though excited by the material, the transition hasn’t always been easy. With no prior experience in STEM fields, Burns-Wick initially felt out of place.
“There’s so much the program strives to give you, and that requires you to find a balance,” she explained. “I’ve had to adopt new study techniques. I now read and take notes completely differently. I’ve discovered how to learn faster, and I’ve grown more comfortable doing it.”
A Career with Endless Possibilities
Students like Burns-Wick are preparing to enter a high-demand, high-tech workforce. The field of Mechatronics blends mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to support advanced manufacturing, robotics, and automation — industries seeing steady job growth in Idaho and across the U.S. due to investments like Micron’s $15 billion semiconductor fabrication expansion in Boise.
Graduates can pursue careers as industrial maintenance technicians, automation technicians, robotics technicians, or even mechatronics engineers. Job growth in these roles' ranges from 10% to 25% through 2030, depending on specialization. Mechatronics professionals are in demand in sectors like aerospace, renewable energy, semiconductor manufacturing, and smart technologies.
Support, Growth, and Giving Back
Despite the steep learning curve, Burns-Wick found encouragement through her instructors and classmates.
“I’ve often felt like I was hearing and reading a completely different language, but the instructors and my classmates have helped me every step of the way,” she said.
She now works part time as an embedded tutor at CWI, helping others navigate the same challenges she once faced.
“I’m always so thankful for the help I receive from tutors and, by tutoring myself, I have a way to pass that gratitude forward.”
Advice for Future Students
At CWI, students don’t just pursue exciting and challenging programs — they become part of a connected community, supported by dedicated faculty, fellow students, and a wide range of resources and services designed to ensure their success.
To future students considering the program, she offers honest encouragement: “This program will challenge you. Stay on top of your work. If you ever feel confused, frustrated, or overwhelmed, know that you are not alone. What you’re learning isn’t easy — and that’s why your degree is valuable.”
For Burns-Wick, Mechatronics isn’t just a new career — it’s a lifelong skillset rooted in adaptability and innovation.
“This program gives you the opportunity to learn how to solve problems,” she said. “You learn to use what you know to solve something new, and that’s an incredibly valuable skill to carry into the workforce.”
Explore the Mechatronics program and train for a future in advanced technology and innovation.
