Student

Mark Bierly

Automotive

At first Mark thought the typical college experience was for him. But after one semester, he said ‘good-bye’ to large lecture halls and ‘hello’ to hands-on learning. Thanks to his 8-week immersive courses in the Honda PACT program, Mark is finally engaged and grateful for his newfound career path.

Q&A with Mark

WHEN DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN WORKING ON CARS?

I became interested in working on cars since I got my license, but primarily during my time at another college for engineering.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR MAJOR?

I enjoy the one-to-one faculty assistance with hands-on learning.

TELL US SOMETHING COOL/FASCINATING YOU'VE LEARNED?

I learned that electric and hybrid vehicles are not that much more difficult to diagnose and repair, as a traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

WHAT MIGHT YOU TELL OTHERS WHO ARE CONSIDERING PENN COLLEGE OR THE HONDA PACT MAJOR?

If you find that normal high school and college classes are drawn out and boring, then try Penn College. Penn College trains you with the skills needed for your career path with hands-on learning.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO ALTERNATE BETWEEN 8 WEEKS OF CLASSES AND 8 WEEKS OF A PAID INTERNSHIP?

I get bored in 16-week classes, so with the 8-week classes I can focus more of my attention to learn more in half that time. I also get to train with experienced technicians in a real work environment and see real problems that we learned about in classes.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON YOUR EXPERIENCE.

The Honda PACT program offers an experience where a student can be successful due to its small class size and personalized help. The faculty are great people in general and even better teachers of the automotive field.