EVERETT — Alex Picklesimer, 17, splits his days between the Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center in south Everett, Marysville Pilchuck High School and a job at a machining business. He is in his second year precision machining at the skills center and will take part in a statewide vocational competition this spring.
Question: There are a many options at Sno-Isle. Why did you choose precision machining?
Answer: I initially was looking at diesel mechanics, welding and precision machining. I wasn’t going to do this class, but after I thought about it, I went to my counselor and switched to it. I had a gut feeling and have loved it ever since.
Q: How did you hear about Sno-Isle?
A: They had a presentation. I talked to a few of my older friends who did it. They said that it was really great.
Q: What is it about precision machining that you like?
A: This is a perfect example of when I’m going to use what we are learning in school in real life. You know how people will say in math that I’ll never use that. We get to here. Also, just cutting metal is cool. You are cutting something that is hard and making it into something useful.
Q: Why are you back for a second year (in precision machining)?
A: Over the summer, I got a job at Arlington Machine &Welding and I wanted to expand my knowledge more.
Q: Do you know what you want to do after you graduate?
A: I will be a machinist at Newell (in Arlington). I’m working there now, but not doing that, just what they need me to do. I deburr their parts (grind metal smooth), which is a real chore.
Q: So you are graduating from MP this spring?
A: I live in Arlington but I go to MP. I lived in Marysville most of my life and thought I might as well finish out there.
Q: It must be nice to be making some money. Do you have your own car?
A: I got my own truck to drive that I can actually call my own. I have a 1993 Ford Ranger.
Q: How many miles do you have on it?
A: 139,000. It’s in pretty good shape. I used to drive a 1994 Toyota Corolla. I like this a lot more. I didn’t want a big truck for gas mileage, but I wanted something a little bit bigger.
Q: Did you know you had an aptitude for machining before you enrolled?
A: I barely knew how to change a tire or change my oil. Now I can program and operate three CNC (Computer Numerical Control milling machines) and all these other mills and lathes and not even think twice about it. I learned all this in the 1½ years I have been on this campus.
Q: Did it come easy to you?
A: I had the willingness to learn and the energy and I wanted to be able to do something. I love the feeling of having an ability to do something not a lot of other people know how to do.
Q: Do you show your work to your friends not in the program?
A: They ask how I do it. I explain it and they just have a blank stare on their face.
Q: Do you keep your class projects?
A: I keep all of it, including the mistakes. You learn from your mistakes.
Q: Where’s your favorite place to hang out in Arlington?
A: I would have to say Arlington Hardware. There’s a lot of good people there. Actually, it might be the Olympic Theater. My youth group, they get together there.
Q: What do you like doing when you’re not at Sno-Isle or MP?
A: I am a part of a robotics team. I make parts for them. It’s another great place to learn. I am learning some manufacturing skills and engineering. The robotics team is from Arlington High School. We call ourselves the Neobots No. 2903. I don’t go to the competitions because they are on the weekend and I’m working.
Q: It sounds like you are enjoying it.
A: It’s just a great place to hang out. You use your calculations and you learn teamwork. Everybody does something, whether it’s working on posters and fliers or wiring or building the robot.
Q: I understand you are getting ready for a statewide machining competition.
A: I am competing in CNC at state. Basically what they do is give you a blueprint and about 10 minutes to look it over. You then have two hours to program it. You want to end up with shortest program to make a precision part within the specifications. I’m hoping to be able to make it to nationals to go to Louisville.
Q: Tell me about learning from (your teacher) Mr. (Tom) Clemans.
A: He is an awesome teacher. He believes you don’t learn by him telling you everything to do. He teaches you common sense that applies to the real world.
Q: Do you have any siblings?
A: I have a sister. She is taking medical assisting classes at EvCC (Everett Community College). Her name is Karli.
Q: Okay, I’ve got to ask you about your last name. It is pretty unusual.
A: It is pronounced Pickle-simer. The last part is like timer with an “s” instead of a “t.” If people are calling out names and they start stuttering, I know it’s me.
Q: Do you have any advice for younger students?
A: Don’t worry if you aren’t sure what you want to do. I didn’t know then I would become a machinist. You have time to figure it out.
Q: Any last thoughts?
A: Sno-Isle has had a huge impact on my whole life. It got me a career, not just a job.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
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