After growing up in Cheyenne, Nick Owen earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural/structural engineering and a master’s degree in civil/structural engineering at the University of Wyoming. Afterward, he began his career as a structural engineering consultant firm in Cheyenne where he helped design commercial buildings and other structures throughout the region and nation. After a time, Nick decided to change pathways and earned a teaching certificate.
While finishing his teaching certificate, Nick attended a group tour of Laramie County Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing and Material Center (AMMC) as part of a career and technical education meeting for Cheyenne high schools. He met the program manager and knew instantly he wanted to be a part of the AMMC, noticing the potential the center had.
“Manufacturing is an exciting place to be, on both subtractive and additive side (3D plastic and metal printing).” To someone who might be hesitant to begin in this industry, Nick offers the advice of, “Don’t be intimidated. Design, manufacturing, and working with the machines is not as hard as it looks. The process of taking an idea from your mind to a product is getting easier all the time. Whether you want to be a machine operator or an entrepreneur, this is the place you should go. If you visit the AMMC, you will see how exciting it is.”
