After graduating from the Â鶹AV in Industrial Technology, James Guillory wanted an edge before jumping into the workforce.
Through the Master of Science in Systems Technology online program, he’s sharpened his skills and found a passion for renewable energy, working with Dr. Terrence Chambers, director of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy.
“I’ve always enjoyed electricity, looking at electricity, the nature of electricity generation,” Guillory says. “At first, I didn’t really bat an eye at solar or wind energy, but I had a conversation with Dr. Chambers who urged me to take one of his classes. From there, I was enthralled. I thought it was absolutely fascinating, and I wanted to learn more.”
Under Dr. Chambers’ mentorship, Guillory has worked on three projects focused on solar energy technology, one of which became his culminating project. The Department of Industrial Technology recognized Guillory’s effort this semester by naming him its Outstanding Master’s Graduate.
In his first project, Guillory designed outdoor charging stations — similar to indoor device charging stations — to be placed around Â鶹AV’s campus and integrated into the campus electrical grid.
Guillory then explored technology to synchronize all forms of energy generation resources to the campus electrical grid’s voltage, frequency, and power quality.
Infrastructure obstacles prevented Guillory from taking those projects through implementation, but they led him to his final project: a wireless monitoring system for renewable resources.
“Through integrating several different technologies — LabView, Arduino, Excel — we established a wireless communication so we can constantly monitor the output of this renewable energy system,” he said.
Guillory might not have connected with his eventual mentor if not for the Systems Technology program’s interdisciplinary approach.
The course he took on solar energy and design is offered through the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Students also learn about the tenets of Six Sigma and have the opportunity to incorporate courses from the Master of Business Administration curriculum to prepare for leadership across industries.
For Guillory, the nature of the program also compelled him to develop additional skills.
“Time management is huge,” he says. “Since it’s all online, you have the freedom to complete tasks as you want, but it’s your responsibility to get those projects and those tasks completed. You have to learn how to manage your time, abide by a daily schedule, and take time for yourself. You can’t burn yourself out.”
Guillory used block scheduling to map out his time at the beginning of each semester, blocking off dedicated 15-minute slots for school, work, and daily necessities.
“It didn’t always go that way, but that schedule helped me realize how much time I had and how much time I needed to focus on certain things, specifically school work,” he says.
With graduation in sight, Guillory is now looking forward to his next steps.
“I’d love to keep on working in renewable energy sources; I would also love to move into control systems, or pursuing quality assurance or project management,” he says. “That’s the thing about this degree. The possibilities are virtually endless; I can branch out to any discipline I want.”