Trevon Trussell | Gateway Technical College

If you want to go directly into industry, they are there to help you to gain the education and skills to do that. If you want to earn your four-year degree after Gateway, they are here to help you with that, too.

Hands-on learning, great options and a great environment help graduate earn three degrees at Gateway

It took leaving a four-year college and coming to Gateway Technical College for Trevon Trussell to gain the skills for a career – and to gain the pathway back to earning a four-year degree.

Trevon’s earned three degrees at Gateway and has already transferred to the Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he entered as a junior because of a transfer agreement between the two colleges.

“Gateway is an excellent college, and they are with you each part of the way. If you want to go directly into industry, they are there to help you to gain the education and skills to do that. If you want to earn your four-year degree after Gateway, they are here to help you with that, too.”

Trevon earned an associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, a Biomedical Engineering Technology concentration degree and a degree in Electronics.

He had begun his education at a state university before realizing he needed to explore another option. He researched colleges – and became interested in Gateway’s EET program. Trevon said the college helped him to get on the pathway to his career passion.

“I like working with my hands,” says Trevon. “My mom always tells this story that when I was a kid, I would always take things apart to see how they worked. I think I always had an interest in electrical engineering, it just took me coming to Gateway to fully realize that.”

... when I was a kid, I would always take things apart to see how they worked. I think I always had an interest in electrical engineering, it just took me coming to Gateway to fully realize that.

Trevon says he likes the small class sizes at Gateway, preferring them over the large lecture halls he was in at the state university.

“I also like the fact that we have our lectures – then our labs. You can connect what you learn in the classroom to hands-on learning. I like that aspect of it, the hands-on learning. I like to see how things work, see how I can make it better. That’s why I think I stuck to this program and did so well in it.”

Trevon says he also likes the environment of Gateway, and that the college guides students throughout the enrollment and financial aid process.

“I really like the fact that students get to know each other. We all want to see each other succeed, and we help each other out. There’s relationship building going on – it’s a great environment for students.”

When he decides to do so, Trevon can transfer up to 70 credits toward an Electrical Engineering degree at MSOE. He will enter as a junior, saving time and money toward earning his bachelor’s degree. Plus, he will have already obtained the skills at Gateway to land a job in the industry while he finishes his bachelor’s degree, if he chooses.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to start here. We are already saving money by starting our education at Gateway, and then we save money when we advance on to MSOE, as well.

“I know a lot of students wonder ‘how will I pay for my education?’ If you take out a lot of loans, then you are in debt for a while. It’s great to know that I saved money by coming here first, and they will also help me continue my education at MSOE.”