Dallas Indoor Climate Technician Advocates Education To Build Career
Michael Bunch, an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air condition) technician, says an education is crucial to stay ahead of the curve in Dallas.
Where do you work and what is your position?
"I work at D.B. Mechanical Services and am a HVAC Technician."
What kind of degree do you have and what kind of degree is required for your particular job?
"I have a bachelor in arts and science; my emphasis was in physics with a computer science background. Currently only licensing is required to perform HVAC repairs and service, however courses are available through certified programs to train technicians."
How do you think your education benefited you?
"Prior to receiving my education, I did not have the understanding of what was taking place inside the equipment I was working on. Through my education, not only was I capable of understanding the actions involved, but I also received a deeper understanding of the science involved: the chemical reactions taking place, the pressure changes that were occurring and the exchanges that were taking place in the surrounding environment that contributed to a home getting cooler. This wealth of background information gave me a more precise understanding of my field and also made me a much better technician.
"Besides my education benefiting me in my career, it has also benefited me in my hobbies and personal life. I have a passion for computers and electronics. While my emphasis was in physics, I took courses to complement my education and feed my other passions. With the combined knowledge, I can merge these two sciences and create computer-controlled automation systems, or even new interfaces to some of my favorite games."
What makes working in the DFW area unique for your particular field?
"DFW offers some unique challenges for our field. Our unique location provides us with some rather uncomfortable temperatures, especially in the summer months. With our high heat and high humidity weather combination, it is a constant challenge to maintain and repair the systems that provide comfort. The old adage, if you don't like the weather in Texas, wait five minutes, is never so true than in the air condition side of our business. The units I maintain not only have to deal with temperatures in the hundreds, but must also handle the high percentages of humidity we often see."
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to pursue your same career goals?
"My advice for a person interested in becoming a technician in the HVAC field is to get an education. Find a good technical school or college offering courses and build a solid foundation. Do not be afraid to ask questions if you do not understand something. You will meet people from different fields, and at times, talk to them and learn from them. You will face challenges in this job. Use those challenges to gain experience and never be afraid to ask for help. Once you stop asking questions, you will stop learning. We should never stop learning."
Judy Serrano writes romantic thrillers at JudySerrano.com. She graduated from Texas A&M Commerce with a BA in English. She is also a freelance writer for Examiner.com. She lives in Texas with her husband, four boys and five dogs.
Judy Serrano writes romantic thrillers at JudySerrano.com. She graduated from Texas A&M Commerce with a BA in English. She is also a freelance writer for Examiner.com. She lives in Texas with her husband, four boys and five dogs.
