MEET THE PRO: Eric Mendoza, Automation & Robotics
By Arkansas Next on Monday, October 25, 2021
Hometown: Visalia, California
Age: 25
Where I trained: Tyson Manufacturing Automation Center (TMAC), NorthWest Arkansas Community College and industrial training via Rockwell Automation
What I earned: Programming certificate, Studio 5000 certificate, ethernet/IP configuration troubleshooting certificate and on-the-job training
Job title: Automation technician
Employer: Tyson Foods Inc. – Berry Street Plant, Springdale
Eric Mendoza wasn't sure what he wanted to do when he graduated high school, but he knew he wanted to find a career he would love. He started in the maintenance department at Tyson and quickly developed a passion for his work. “I really like the feeling of accomplishment when a piece of equipment is not functioning properly and you apply your knowledge and fix it,” he says.
Tyson gave Eric the opportunity to work toward his goals, without spending a lot of time or money. Without student loan debt, Eric has been able to afford the luxury of travel a lot sooner in life. He also likes already feeling fulfilled in his career, as opposed to struggling to find a job that matched a major. “I like to be the problem-solving person, the go-to guy,” he says.
"I really like the feeling of accomplishment when a piece of equipment is not functioning properly, and you apply your knowledge and fix it." – Eric
WHAT DOES AN AUTOMATION TECHNICIAN DO?
Automation technicians repair and maintain computer-controlled systems, as well as troubleshoot and repair a wide variety of industrial instrumentation.
Responsibilities
- Create, install, maintain and fix robotic and automation control systems
- Troubleshoot or assist in the diagnosis of a nonfunctioning piece of equipment
- Maintain/repair robotic and automation equipment
- Program robotic equipment
- Maintain operational records or records systems
Education needed: Technical certificate and on-the-job training
Job Outlook
► +3% expected growth by 2029 in the U.S.
► 15,100 jobs by 2029 in the U.S.
► 1,300 annual job openings in the U.S.
This option is for you if
- You’re a critical thinker
- You like troubleshooting problems
- You have good deductive reasoning and reading comprehension skills
- You work great under pressure
High-end earners (top 10%) make
$95,340
Median wages in Arkansas
$59,800 Annual
$28.75 Hourly
START YOUR TRAINING
• Arkansas State University-Mountain Home
• Arkansas Tech University-Ozark
• Business & Industry Training
• East Arkansas Community College
• Lexicon Inc.
• National Park College
• North Arkansas College
• Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
• Simmons Foods
• Southern Arkansas University Tech
• Tyson Foods Inc.
• UAM College of Technology–Crossett
• University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
• University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
• University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College
READY TO HIRE YOU
• ABB Motors & Mechanical Inc.
• Central Moloney Inc.
• Lexicon Inc.
• McKee Foods Corporation
• Pace Industries
• Simmons Foods
• Tyson Foods Inc.
Sources: bls.gov and careeronestop.org
*When employment projections were not available for Arkansas, U.S. projections were used
