Entrepreneurial electrical technology student pursuing career as electrical journeyman

IAT student Brady Zettle hopes to not only become an electrical journeyman, his ultimate goal is to own an electrical business.

Brady Zettle, Electrical Technology student, MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT).

Always fascinated by electricity, Brady Zettle, an electrical technology student in the Michigan State University (MSU) Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT), has a goal of starting his own business.

“I have always found electricity to be fascinating and I wanted to do something in the trades since I was little,” he said. “My future plan is to be an electrical journeyman and then a master electrician. I would like to start my own business under my grandpa’s agriculture construction business and operate the two of them someday.”

Zettle, of West Branch, Mich., is pursuing his electrical technology certificate through the IAT. He is active in his community and has participated in 4-H programs. After completing the certificate program, Zettle plans to work in the residential electrical industry and continue toward becoming a journeyman electrician. Zettle is one of the 2021 CANR Alumni Association Scholarship recipients.

The IAT electrical technology certificate program provides students with electrical apprenticeship training with an emphasis on residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial wiring. Students study the latest electrical fundamentals, codes, various installations, motor controls and solid-state electronic applications. Throughout the certificate program, students also learn about energy efficiency and alternate power systems among many areas. The electrical technology certificate program is also supported by the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering.


Name: Brady Zettle

Hometown: West Branch, Michigan

Certificate program and location: Electrical technology certificate program in East Lansing, Institute of Agricultural Technology

Expected graduation date: Fall 2021

Why did you choose your specific certificate program and why MSU IAT?

I chose my program because it interested me, and I heard that the MSU electrical technology program is one of the best in the country.

Who or what inspired your interest in your program?

I have always found electricity to be fascinating, and I wanted to do something in the trades since I was little.

What has been one of your best experiences within IAT so far?

Being able to be in-person at MSU, and my summer internship with Alward Electric Inc. of Gladwin, Michigan.

What do you want others to know about this program?

It is a great program that has lots of hands-on components. You will come out being a well-informed, respected electrical apprentice from the program.

Any thoughts or advice for current or new students?

Learn as much as you can and do as many hands-on experiences that you can because it will all pay off when you go to take your program exams and the journeyman’s test.

What are your future plans?

My future plan is to be an electrical journeyman and then a master electrician. I would like to start my own business under my grandpa’s agriculture construction business and operate the two of them someday.

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