Connor Shields works on the other side of the country in additive manufacturing through 3D printing, and some of the products he has worked on are currently on the International Space Station for evaluation.
But the 2017 alumnus has no trouble tracing his success back to his time at the University of North Georgia (UNG). That's where Shields learned the ins and outs of 3D printing at the MakerBot Innovation Center on UNG's Dahlonega Campus, the first facility of its kind in Georgia. The center is a lab space with 3D printers and software used to allow students to conceptualize, create and produce new projects and products.
Shields, who earned a bachelor's degree in art marketing, said the independence Dr. Jon Mehlferber, professor of visual arts, gave him in the Innovation Center prepared him for his current job with Optisys and Qualified Rapid Products in West Jordan, Utah.
"Working solo a lot, you get used to being self-motivated," Shields said. "That helps because I don't constantly need oversight of what I'm doing."
Shields runs all of his companies' thermoplastic printing and early-stage prototyping. Through his work in the manufacturing engineering service bureau, he has gained the new skill of metal 3D printing for items such as medical and dental implants.
"Starting from a solid foundation in the Innovation Center helped tremendously as far as managing that learning curve," Shields said.
One of the most visible projects for Shields has been a monopulse tracking antenna, which the team he works with helped lighten the weight of considerably. Two of these antennae are on the International Space Station where they undergo testing on how much stress they take and how much damage they sustain during use.
Shields is grateful to be working on the cutting edge of his field with a small team of dedicated coworkers.
"It's exciting and it's terrifying. Every day is a new challenge. We work very hard around here to make sure the company succeeds," Shields said. "I work with some extremely intelligent people."
One of his tasks is to control the printers remotely, something he also practiced at UNG. He remains on call and sometimes needs to go into work in the middle of the night to keep the production lines running.
Shields' lessons at UNG weren't limited to the Innovation Center or the classroom. He said he gained great insight about time management and checks and balances while working for Jessica Brown in Outdoor Pursuits at UNG.
These are all skills and lessons he draws on in a high-demand industry.
"Everyone wants the technology," Shields said. "But they don't fully understand it."
But Shields does, thanks in part to his time at UNG.
