Photonics Alumni Council for Technicans (PACT)
Events & Conferences
An organization of the Optics and Photonics College Network
In 2009, OP-TEC created the Photonics Alumni Council for Technicians (PACT). The PACT is an organization of distinguished graduates who have received education/training in lasers, electro-optics, optics and/or photonics applications from two and four-year technical colleges. Graduates are nominated by current and former faculty who recognize their technical achievements and leadership abilities.
Success Stories in Photonics Careers2015-2016 Inductees
In early 2009, The National Center for Optics and Photonics (OP-TEC), founded the Photonics Alumni Council for Technicians (PACT). Faculty from technician education programs in the OP-TEC Photonics College Network nominate former students who were recognized for their technical achievements and leadership abilities. These candidates are asked to complete a questionnaire and submit a resume. Sixteen photonics technician graduates were selected for the 2009 class of PACT, five more were added in 2011 and thirteen more in 2013. This book presents the PACT members who were selected in 2015-16. Their profiles have been created to show the diversity, accomplishments and beneficial lives they enjoy.
High School Students — Find a Rewarding Career in Photonics
For high school students interested in careers in photonics
Adult Learners — Upgrading Your Career
For career changers and non-traditional students interested in careers in photonics
The purpose of the PACT and its members is to:
- Recognize excellence and success in photonics technicians.
- Provide role models and mentors for photonics technician students and for high school students considering a career in photonics
- Demonstrate diversity opportunities in photonics technician employment.
- Provide examples of successful photonics technician career and education pathways.
- Advise photonics technician students on how to be successful in school, why they should complete a degree or certificate, how to get a job after graduation and how to be successful at work.
PACT members will also:
- Provide unique and valuable insight on the changing role of today’s photonics technicians in the workplace.
- Advise OP-TEC and other educators on photonics technician curricula, teaching materials, skill standards and instructional strategies.
- Advise OP-TEC of emerging applications in photonics, particularly in the area of expertise of the PACT member.
PACT members have contributed advice for a series of OP-TEC publications for others considering a career and education in photonics.
How to Make Your First Year on the Job a Success — Advice from Recent Photonics Grads
2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015-2016
OP-TEC has conducted a series of interviews with PACT members to learn why they chose to pursue a career and education in photonics and how their education and career choices have impacted their lives. We have compiled this information into short biographies for each PACT member. Some PACT members have also been featured in the OP-TEC Photonics Technician Career Videos series.
We invite you to view the list below of current PACT members. Click on the inductee’s photo or “Biography” link to learn more about the PACT member and to read their personal biography. Click on the “Video” link to view the PACT member’s video profile. You can also use the menu above to jump to inductees by year.
Please bookmark this page and check back often as we will be adding new biographies and materials in the near future!
2015-2016 PACT Inductees
Trenton Northup
Laser Research Engineer Technician Level IV
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Biography
2013 PACT Inductees
Jared Bruce Mills
Laser Optical Engineer Associate
University of Nebraska’s Lincoln Diocles Extreme Light Laboratory
Biography
