Student Spotlight

This article is the latest in a series in association with Rhinelander Partners in Education.

Thousands of students pass through the doors of the Student Services office every year to meet with a counselor and discuss potential career paths.

 Tucker Leman started this process last year with counselor Lexi Allen. They began by looking for an apprenticeship program that would be a good fit. Sometimes this can be a tough process when students like Tucker don’t see too many options that look and feel right for them.

“I always wanted to go into business with my dad and have an automotive shop,” Leman said, reflecting on how he came to choose working with Superior Diesel. “I didn’t like most of the options, but when Ms. Allen told me there was one opening at Superior Diesel I decided to go tour the place to see if I would like it.” 

Superior Diesel turned out to be a very good fit right off the bat. The environment at the company fosters innovation and a culture of not only professional growth but also personal growth. Superior Diesel knows and supports the businesses it serves, showing how a large company has planted its customers and its employees at the center of its mission which drives innovation. 

Leman was fortunate to find out that they had one opening available in September and decided to give it a try. 

“It opened a boatload of opportunities and raised my interest in different areas of the automotive world,” he said. “I got interested in electrical work and programs that engineers use like Solid Works, which we can even get practice on using the basic versions at school.”

While Leman knew that he enjoyed aspects of automotive work, the internship at Superior Diesel opened many different paths for him to explore that he never knew about. 

The advantages of taking the apprenticeship are now very clear to him.

 “Nicolet was gung-ho to get me in programs and they preferred experience. GM noticed too that I had experience with different types of engines,” he said.

Through the internship, Leman learned the many detailed steps involved in getting a diesel engine from start to finish.

 “In September, they started me on the John Deere line where the engines are put together and we work on oil fill, canisters, and O2 sensors,” he explained. “After three months I went to station 4 where we run the engine for tests at high speed and get them on the shipping skids.” 

The breadth of experience gained on the line while at Diesel will take Leman far. 

“Now I’m thinking about what classes I can take while at Nicolet so I can work at the same time,” he said. “So many more ideas opened up talking with the other engineers; it’s nice to work with like-minded people who are open to new ideas.”

Not only as he discovered mre options as to what he might do when he opens his own business, he also knows more about himself as a worker and what he has to offer. 

“I work the 5-2 shift, which is nice that they don’t have swing shifts that change. I get to have my day started and get to school by 10 and when school is out I still have several hours to do what I want after school,” he noted. “It is nice to reflect on what we are doing in the internship program. Ms. Allen has us answer questions which help to learn more about what we like about the job and helps us plan out our future.” 

Leman has come long way from having a general idea of opening some type of automotive shop based on having fun with cars as a kid. Now, there are more detailed plans and specialties that he is enjoying learning about as he prepares for the future.

It is no secret that Leman now has a superior advantage when it comes to his future career plans.