Building a team, one graduate at a time

A 2026 FLCC graduate already works full-time alongside two alumni from the same degree program.

Andrew Hall won’t need to look for a job after graduation next week. He’s been working full-time for Optical Gaging Products’ calibration lab since his co-op there in spring 2025 as part of his Smart Systems Technologies (SST) degree program.

Andrew Hall He works alongside Nicholas J. Kirchgessner ’24. The lab manager is Mitch Hill ’22. Since both are also SST grads, the transition was smooth.

“We understand the same basics, and we came up through the same style of training, so communication is easier and we can help each other troubleshoot and grow faster,” Andrew said. “It also feels like a strong alumni pipeline where you can see how FLCC connections carry into the workplace in a real way.”

OGP is a maker of precision measurement tools. Products like computer chips and medical implants require exacting measurements as part of quality control.

Mitch found work with OGP in fall 2021, after enrolling in SST, allowing his day job to double as his required co-op experience.

Since then, he has reached out twice to Sam Samanta, professor and coordinator of the program, to staff his lab.

“It makes a big difference when you get someone with similar experience. It’s a nice pool to pick from,” Mitch said. “I’ll probably continue to hire from FLCC.”

As commencement approaches, Andrew, the newest member of the team, shares more of his experience.

How did you find your way to SST?

I knew I wanted technology in my career, but I needed a program that felt real and hands-on. The way Daniel Poehlein, instructor and technical specialist for the program, talked about SST and how he treated me made me feel comfortable and connected. From there, Professor Sam Samanta became a huge part of the experience. His classes and the way he runs the program made it clear this was not just theory. It was training for real jobs.

Talk about your FLCC experience.

The easy part was knowing I wanted a career in technology. Once I was in SST, the hands-on labs and applied learning made things stick because you’re building, testing, and troubleshooting instead of just reading. The hard part was narrowing it down to a specific area of work. SST gives you exposure to a lot, so the challenge is figuring out where you fit best. Over time, seeing real workplaces and doing applied projects helped me narrow it down.

What do you do at OGP?

My job current title is calibration tech 1. In the lab I have been building hands-on metrology skills like grid inspection, certification documentation in Excel, touch probe operation, calibration routines, and metrology software. I am also learning what ISO 17025, an international standard for the calibration industry, looks like in a real-world cleanroom lab that runs every day.

How would you describe the SST program?

SST gives you a real-world, in-depth look at jobs in the field starting in the first semester. That is powerful because it creates motivation. You start to see what roles exist, what the work looks like, and what skills matter. Dr. Samanta pushes applied learning and career readiness, and he makes sure you understand the why, not just the steps. The program also drives you toward real opportunities, like wanting to work at one of the places we toured, because you can actually picture yourself there and you know what it takes to get in.