Michael Stephens Email & Phone Number

If there is one thing I have truly come to understand, it would be that there is always more. More to learn, more to see, more to experience, more to accomplish. When I was in the Navy, I worked as part of the patrol and recon community and had the task of maintaining the P-8A Poseidon as well as the P-3C Orion. Now, that came with a slew of knowledge that had to be picked up and put into action and I learned quite a bit in the process. I had to manage COMSEC, understand aircraft systems and how each component and system spoke to each other in order to troubleshoot and operate them. This required being able to read schematics and diagrams, and also perform wire repair or limited component repair depending on severity of component degradation. Upon Journeyman completion and Collateral Duty Inspector qualification, it also included performing quality assurance functions, verifying that work done by peers is up to publication specifications and systems safe to operate. Picking up E-5 led to working as a shift supervisor on deployment, detachments, or on home cycle. Being able to manage the workload was important but more so taking care of your people. This introduced a new level of leadership as I wasn't the new guy, I had to teach what I knew while making sure my crew was taken care of and ready for whatever challenges came their way. Getting out I thought I had a very firm grasp of my field, but working at SNC I learned that this was only a small portion of being an Avionics Tech. What I learned encompassed a different side as I was no longer just working on systems. Now, I had to learn about how systems are installed and removed from aircraft. This was all new and now I was once again working uphill, learning different schematics and meanings, working on new connectors and cannon plugs, actually removing and running wire harnesses along with associated avionics and terminating the required connectors in place. It has truly given a new perspective to the depth of my field. Part of this was working on two experimental programs, one a contract bid, the other a new C-130 prototype. I got to work with engineers to improve and streamline layouts as i found problems or ways to improve the design for later. This was super cool but also a different mindset shift as now I am not working to get the flight schedule going on time. I have to deliver a product to a customer. I am thankful for the experience but now I am working on my schooling, my next step. I would like to find work to sharpen my skills and grow more but also facilitate being a student.

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  Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

  Aerospace, Aeronautical And Astronautical Engineering